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A Bead by Any Other Name

By Sandra J Paluzzi
The Bead Peddler

By definition, a bead has a whole running through it. The hole can be drilled lengthwise or widthwise, but it is completely drilled through.

I sometimes get requests for beads without holes. These are technically marbles, not beads. A marble does not have a hole, a bead does. Marbles tend to be round.

Another object without a hole is a cabochon. Cabochons are usually flatter and longer than marbles.

A pendant or charm can dangle from a wire. Sometimes a bale is attached to a cabochon. The presence of the bale makes the cab a pendant. While the terms pendants and charms are interchangeable, most people consider charms smaller than pendants.

Register to win 25.00 Worth of Beads and Beading Supplies

Click here to visit The Bead PeddlerŽ

Full line of
  * Bali sterling
    beads
* Indian glass
    beads
* Czech beads
* Stringing
    materials
* Tools
* Findings.

Wholesale prices available to the public!