8 Things You Didn’t Know About Beaded Jewelry

Last updated on 2 years ago

Beaded Jewelry is a top universal fashion trend. At a time when most things are mass-produced, beaded jewelry introduces an opportunity for people to express their individuality by wearing this unique fashion piece. If you are reading this article, chances are that you have found an appreciation for beaded accessories and would like to know more.

The world of handcrafted jewelry is vast and enchanting. If you were looking for a guiding hand to introduce you to this world, you have come to the right place. In this article, we will be talking about all the details relating to beaded jewelry, how it came into being, and why it is so important.

Table of Contents

What’s the History of Beaded Jewelry?

The tradition of beadwork traces back more than 70,000 years in the past. The practice originated with man’s fascination with gemstones. At that time they were mostly used for trading goods or sometimes tied around a leather strap and worn as a necklace. Soon wearing gemstones or beads as jewelry became a symbol of wealth and prosperity.

Over time, mankind learned to replicate the beauty of gems by making beads out of glass, shells, metals, bones, etc. The trend of making jewelry using unique varieties of beads became common in several parts of the world. Today, the craftsmanship of beadwork is commonly associated with Native American, African, and South Asian cultures.

Beads were introduced to different parts of the world by European traders. Taken by the beauty of all the different beads created by Europe, other countries also began putting their own spin on beaded ornaments. Beaded jewelry was slowly integrated into the cultures of various parts of the world.

What are the Types of Beaded Jewelry?

Straight Beaded Gemstone 7 Chakra Healing Bracelet

There are various types of beaded jewelry in trend today. Firstly, you can get beaded jewelry in almost any form whether it be earrings, necklaces, or bracelets. Aside from this, types of beaded jewelry can also be categorized by the types of beads used and the style of beading.

Type of Beads

There are many different types of beads in all shapes, sizes, and colors that are used to make beaded jewelry. Some of the most commonly used beads in beaded jewelry nowadays include the following:

Glass beads
Seed beads
Gemstone beads
Crystal beads
Ceramic beads
Wood beads
Semi-precious beads
Freshwater pearl beads

Types of Beading

Other than using an assortment of beads, you can find unique beaded ornament pieces that use different beading techniques. There are always new techniques being introduced for making beaded jewelry. Currently, some of the most popular types of beading are,

Straight beading
Loom beading
Braided beading
Weaved beading
Embroidered beading

Is Beaded Jewelry Still So Popular?

Beaded jewelry is a fashion staple that has never been unpopular. Beadwork has strong historical and cultural ties to various parts of the world. Because of this, beaded jewelry will never lose significance and will always remain a respected part of the fashion world.

But cultural value aside, the trends of the ’90s and early 2000s have become increasingly popular within the last couple of years. As a result, beaded accessories and jewelry have also made a strong comeback in mainstream fashion.

How to Make Beaded Jewelry?

Hands stringing beads and many colourful beads and threads placed on the wooden table

Source: Unsplash

Other than being a strong fashion trend, beaded jewelry making has also become a popular focus for purchasers. To make a beaded necklace or bracelet, you will need the following things:

1. An Assortment of Beads

2. Wire Cutters

3. Beading Wire

4. Lobster Clasps

After you’ve gathered everything you need, follow these steps.

Step 1: Cut off the amount of wire you think you need for the ornament you want to make. Make sure to keep some extra space so that you can attach the hook at the end.

Step 2: Pass your beads through the wire. You can place the beads in any order you like. Try making a pattern with the way you arrange the beads for the best results.

Step 3: Loop the ends of the wires to prevent the beads from falling out.

Step 4: Attach lobster clasps to one end of the looped wire so that you can close and open the string of beads as you please.

Making beaded jewelry is simple but creative. There are various tutorials online that you can follow to take on more complex projects once you get the hang of them. For instance, you can find a detailed tutorial on making beaded bohemian jewelry on Beadaholique.

Make Stretchy Beaded Jewelry

Stretchy beaded jewelry usually comes in the form of bracelets, rings, or necklaces. This type of jewelry is very popular these days among people of all ages. Here is a small guide on how to make stretchy beaded bracelets. To make a stretchy beaded bracelet, you will need the following things:

1. Beads of Your Liking

2. An Elastic Cord

3. Bead Stopper

4. Beading Needle (big eye)

Now that you have everything you need, follow these steps to put the stretchy beaded bracelet together.

Step 1: Measure the length of elastic cord you need to go around your wrist and cut off that amount of elastic cord.

Step 2: Stretch the elastic a few times to prep it for beadwork. This step is important as it keeps the elastic from stretching when you are making the bracelet.

Step 3: Pass the elastic cord through the big eye needle.

Step 4: Place the bead stopper at the end to prevent beads from falling out.

Step 5: Pass your beads through the needle and onto the elastic cord one by one.

Step 6: After you have placed all of the beads, remove the needle and the bead stopper then tie the two ends together.

Stretchy beaded jewelry can be fun to make but difficult to preserve since it is more prone to breakage from elastic snapping. To avoid this, try to use high-quality elastic chords when you make stretch-beaded jewelry. You can also find more tricks to preserving the elasticity of stretchy jewelry in this guide video by Amy Romeu.

Beaded Jewelry Trends in Winter 2021-2022

The recent fashion trends have all revolved around the theme of being retro and getting inspired by the fashion of the ’80s, ’90s, and 2000s. Colorful beaded necklaces and bracelets are back in style and more popular than ever. Beaded chokers have also gained popularity as stand-out pieces in people’s everyday looks.

Along with colorful jewelry, bold and dangly pieces are set to be in trend this winter. Long necklaces, chandelier earrings, and tassels are the go-to look for the end of 2021. Be on the lookout for jewelry with copper and rose-gold detailing to complement the end-of-the-year winter aesthetic.

Another immensely popular trend in fashion right now is pearls. Beaded pearl necklaces, bracelets, and earrings are an optimum winter fashion necessity. Have a look at our website to find the best pearl jewelry to complete your winter look.

Beaded Jewelry for You from TTT Jewelry

Are you as entranced by the beauty of beaded jewelry just as we are? There are so many amazing beaded pieces these days. It can be difficult to know where to look first or what suits your wardrobe. Here are a few popular items from our collection you may like to check out.

How to Take Care of Your Beaded Jewelry?

Two pieces of brown and black bead bracelets & rings & a cloth bag on the wood surface

Source: Unsplash

How you should take care of your beaded jewelry depends on what beads the jewelry is made of. Some general rules applicable to all beads are handling them delicately and keeping them away from harsh chemicals. This means you should take off your jewelry before doing heavy work and keep it away from perfumes and lotions.

The best way to keep your beads clean is by wiping them with a piece of cloth. If needed you can also use some warm water or chemical-free soaps. Make sure to be gentle when cleaning. Beaded jewelry tends to be delicate. Harsh movements while cleaning can result in chord snapping and beads scattering everywhere.

A Fantastic Discovery

Beaded Jewelry is more than just a current fashion trend. It is an homage to a practice that is culturally significant and has evolved over the decades. If you have read this far, congratulations! You now know all the basics of the history, significance, and latest trends for beaded jewelry.

We hope this article has helped feed your curiosity about beaded accessories. If you would like to continue indulging in content about beaded jewelry or look at some trendy beaded pieces, be sure to check out our handmade collections for more.

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