"Seed Bead" is a generic term for any small bead be it Czech or Japanese. There are numerous types of Japanese beads in all shapes and sizes such as Round, Cylinder, Hexagon, Bugle, Triangle, Cubes, Rectangle, Peanut shaped and Drops.
There are two premium manufacturers of Japanese seed beads, MIYUKI and TOHO. MIYUKI was the very first Japanese company to manufacture beads so I will begin with MIYUKI.
MIYUKI offer a large range of seed beads ranging in sizes; as does TOHO. MIYUKI named their round seed beads rocailles and their small tube/cylinder like beads Delica®. TOHO named their equivalent tube/cylinder like beads TOHO Treasures® TOHO have another line of tube/cylinder like beads called Aiko (named after the wife of the TOHO beads founder). Aiko beads are precision cut beads and as such are more expensive than the Treasures® and are not so readily found online or in stores. Aiko beads are available in both smooth and cut styles but are only available in size 11º; there are 100's of colors.
MIYUKI have an equivalent, but smaller sized bead called a Delica® precision cut 15º (DBS). See the example Pic 01 from the MIYUKI website that demonstrates what can be achieved with the precision, smaller beads.
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| Pic 01 Fringe made with DBS swing smoothly just like silk thread. |
MIYUKI Delica® bead numbers begin with DB (which actually stands for Delica® Beads). TOHO Treasures® bead numbers start with an A (A stands for ?). MIYUKI Delica® beads and TOHO Treasures® are available in both faceted and smooth styles. MIYUKI Delica® beads have a larger range of sizes and styles than TOHO Treasures®.
This link will take you to the MIYUKI website to view color charts of every bead that MIYUKI manufacture: https://www.miyuki-beads.co.jp/english/seed/e-samplecard.html
This link will take you to the TOHO website to view color charts of every bead that TOHO manufacture: http://www.tohobeads.net/sample-card/
The MIYUKI Long Magatama (LMA) bead is available in one size 4x7mm and is available in 147 colors. MIYUKI Magatama (MA) beads are available in three sizes; 3mm, 4mm and 5mm. TOHO Magatamas claim they are available in 5 sizes; 2.5mm, 3mm, 3.5mm, 4mm and 5mm. However, the TOHO Color Chart for Magatamas has colors for only three sizes 3mm, 4mm and 5mm; these beads are available in 41 colors. 😕 #confusedface
MIYUKI has three drop beads; Drop (DP) 2.8mm and the larger (DP) (F) 4.5mm beads, and the largest Long Drop (LDP) bead which measure 3x5.5mm. TOHO have only one drop bead it measures 3.5mm. I cannot locate a TOHO Color Chart for these beads.
The MIYUKI Tila™ bead is a flat, thin, square 2-holed bead 5x5x1.9mm. MIYUKI advise caution when handling the beads as they can be fragile when dropped. There are more than 120 colors available. Then came the MIYUKI Half Tila™ bead which is as the name implies is half the size of the original MIYUKI Tila™ bead 5x2.3x1.9mm. TOHO have no equivalent of the Tila™or Half Tila™ beads.
**MIYUKI has launched a new bead called Quarter TILA Beads. The size is 5.0x1.2x1.9mm with 2 holes.
MIYUKI Berry beads are peanut shaped beads with one hole; that are available in two sizes 2.5x4.5mm and the larger sized 3.3x5.5mm. Currently there are 33 colors available. TOHO have no equivalent of the Berry bead; there is a Czech peanut shaped bead called a Farfelle® (it comes in two sizes 3.2x6.5mm and 2x4mm). The Beadsmith released the Butterfly bead which again resembles the Berry Bead. It is only available in neon colors and one size 4x6mm (it has now become elusive so I'll need to chat with The Beadsmith). Matsuno have a peanut shaped bead, measuring 2x4mm. See Pic 02 for a visual comparison of these beads.
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| Pic 02 - Image from Robins Beads UK |
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| Pic 03 Toho bead holes |
https://youtu.be/mLssem05NEQ?list=PLdGWVJ-tb1bE6DVuzL7OM4odLHjsDjFTc
MIYUKI Unions® beads are rocailles (seed beads) that are coated with Czech Glass finishes. MIYUKI Unions® beads are extremely uniform in size, shape, and color. MIYUKI Unions® beads are only available in Size 11º there are 19 colors available with sizes 6º, 8º and 15º 'coming soon', no actual pre-order date seems to be available. TOHO's equivalent of these beads are their TOHO Hybrids beads and their TOHO SuperNova Hybrids Limited Edition beads.
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| MIYUKI Unions® & TOHO SuperNova Hybrids plus a close up of Toho's Apollo Gold coated beads 😍 |
TOHO have plenty of choice when it comes to Bugle beads, see the TOHO Shape Chart for more information ⇩.
The TOHO Demi Round™ is a thinner version of the traditional size 11º and 8º round seed bead with the same hole size and diameter. MIYUKI have no equivalent of this bead.
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| Toho Demi Round™ |
Both MIYUKI and TOHO have round seed beads that have two types of different shaped holes; they are a round hole and a square hole. MIYUKI offer it in both their size 11º and 8º round beads and two of their Bugle beads. TOHO's size range of beads available in both round and square hole, round seed beads is significantly larger than the MIYUKI range (see the TOHO Shape Chart for more information) ⇩.
Only TOHO offers 3-Cut beads in sizes 15º, 12º, 9º and 8º and two Charlotte bead sizes 15º and 12º. Charlotte beads have one cut on the bead which acts like a facet, giving sparkle to the bead. 3-Cut beads have three cuts giving even more sparkle to the bead. MIYUKI have no equivalent of these beads.
MIYUKI Duracoat-Galvanised® is a durable clear coating for dyed or galvanized beads. It is a thicker and stronger coating that is used for standard galvanised beads. MIYUKI Duracoat-Galvanised® beads are available size 11º, 10º, 8º and 6º beads and are available in 22 colors.
TOHO have an equivalent galvanised coating for their beads, called PermaFinish® PermaFinish® beads feature a protective coating that helps prevent fading, scratching, and tarnishing. Available in over 60 colors including Silver-Lined, Ceylon, and Galvanized.
MIYUKI offer Picasso Coating on a range of their beads, but it is only available for sizes 8º and 6º in round Rocailes, 13 colors are available. TOHO have Picasso Coating on a range of their beads as well.
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| Picasso coating effect |
TOHO released Glow-in-the-Dark beads to the market in 2016. 12 colors are available in sizes 11º and 8º only. MIYUKI have no equivalent of these beads.
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| Toho semi-glaze finish promo |
MIYUKI Cotton Pearls are made by using compressed cotton with a pearl coating instead of resin, crystal or glass, so the weight of the beads is much lighter than other pearls (such as Preciosa or Swarovski). There are 14 colours and they are available in sizes 6mm, 8mm, 10mm, 12mm, 14mm, 16mm, 18mm, 20mm, 25mm, 30mm and an 8x11mm drop.
MIYUKI Shrink Pearl is also coated with "Baroque" on an ABS resin base. There are 7 colors available in 8mm, 10mm and 12mm. The Shrink Pearl looks similar to pearls which were used in an antique or vintage costume jewellery. TOHO have only plastic pearls.
MIYUKI Baroque beads have a pearl coating, but the surface of these "Baroque" beads has a very unique, rugged texture which reflects the light softly. There are 7 colors available in two sizes, 6º and 5º. It is interesting to note that the edge of every bead-hole is cleaned by hand 😲 #astonishedface.
MIYUKI manufacture 50m (55 yard) spools of 100% nylon twisted beading thread which is available in 18 colors and is approx 330dtex. It has a strong, slick coating, so that it does not need waxing or other lubrication.
TOHO manufacture 50m (55 yard) of nylon beading thread called One-G; it is available in 12 colors. This nylon thread is strong, easy to thread, shred-resistant and won't fray as easily as other nylon threads. It is treated with an anti-tangle agent, so it is easy to work with. It is my personal favourite nylon beading thread. 💕
MIYUKI Shrink Pearl is also coated with "Baroque" on an ABS resin base. There are 7 colors available in 8mm, 10mm and 12mm. The Shrink Pearl looks similar to pearls which were used in an antique or vintage costume jewellery. TOHO have only plastic pearls.
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| MIYUKI Shrink Pearl |
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| MIYUKI Baroque beads |
MIYUKI Baroque beads have a pearl coating, but the surface of these "Baroque" beads has a very unique, rugged texture which reflects the light softly. There are 7 colors available in two sizes, 6º and 5º. It is interesting to note that the edge of every bead-hole is cleaned by hand 😲 #astonishedface.
MIYUKI manufacture 50m (55 yard) spools of 100% nylon twisted beading thread which is available in 18 colors and is approx 330dtex. It has a strong, slick coating, so that it does not need waxing or other lubrication.
TOHO manufacture 50m (55 yard) of nylon beading thread called One-G; it is available in 12 colors. This nylon thread is strong, easy to thread, shred-resistant and won't fray as easily as other nylon threads. It is treated with an anti-tangle agent, so it is easy to work with. It is my personal favourite nylon beading thread. 💕
⬇ Sizes and Shapes of MIYUKI Seed Beads ⬇
⇩ TOHO Bead Shape Chart ⇩
