Acrylic Plastic Beads

Acrylic beads are light, hard-wearing and easy to work with — for jewellery, seasonal charms, children’s projects and decorations. They come in a wide range of shapes, colours and finishes — matte, gloss, metallic, pearl effect, transparent or made to imitate another material. Start by asking what effect you’re after — a pop of colour, an elegant shine, a lightweight strand or a seasonal decoration — and the table below will point you to the right type.

Which acrylic beads should you choose?

Types of acrylic beads — how to tell them apart

In photos many acrylic beads look much alike, but in a finished piece the difference shows immediately. What matters most is the shine, the transparency, the coating and how heavy they feel.

• Pearl, CCB or metallic — three different kinds of shine. Faux pearl has a soft, gentle lustre. CCB beads — acrylic with a thick metallic coating — give a denser metal effect while staying light, because the core underneath is plastic. Metallic models have a metal finish and are a good pick when you want shine without the weight of real metal.
• Transparent or opaque — it depends on the effect. Transparent beads let light through and feel lighter, almost like crystal. The cord or elastic may show through them. Opaque beads and those with a white core give a clearer, more even colour and are the safer choice for cheerful bracelets, seasonal charms and children’s projects.
• Imitations — the look of another material, but lighter. Antique-finish beads bring to mind aged wood, engraving and ethnic detailing. Imitation beads can resemble stone, metal, mother-of-pearl, wood or bone. They’re the answer when you want a striking look without a heavy piece.
• Colourful beads for everyday projects. Two-tone beads, patterned shapes and plastic buttons are handy for seasonal charms, children’s bracelets, keyrings and gift decorations. They bring in colour fast, without having to combine lots of different materials.
• Special effects and small accents. Hand-painted beads, coated models, evil eye beads — the traditional blue protective motif — and beads with a silver thread running through them add character to an otherwise plain strand. Use them as an accent rather than throughout, so the project doesn’t end up cluttered.

What else you’ll need

Besides the beads, a finished project needs a stringing base, a clasp and a few basic tools. For contrast, you can pair the lightweight acrylic with natural stones or metal spacers.

Silicone cord

a base for bracelets

Jewellery wire

for earrings and pendants

Clasps

for fastening

Tools

pliers, needles, scissors

Frequently asked questions