Why Choose Acrylic Beads for Jewelry

Jan 27
07:41

2016

Sanjana Antony

Sanjana Antony

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Acrylic beads are a form of plastic beads, along with Lucite beads, resin beads and bakelite beads. Of all these beads, the acrylic items are the most commonly used in making jewelry pieces.

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Bead making began using naturally available materials like metal,Why Choose Acrylic Beads for Jewelry Articles stone, wood, glass and gems.  These were termed findings in jewelry parlance. Slowly the demand for beads began to rise. It was due mainly to the rise of international trade and acceptance of bead jewelry by masses. Acrylic became the next material for beads. The name Acrylic Beads refers to beads made from synthetic material.

Acrylic is a derivative of acrylonitrile discovered in 1893 and much later synthesized with different chemicals. The synthesized substance was a rubbery material which could be used for making fabrics, faux wool and textiles. This is when the bead makers began to use it. 

Since acrylic is a lab synthesised material, it gives several option of products that can be made from the substance.  It can be given diverse shapes and mixed with durable colours. The Acrylic beads can be mass produced to make them cost effective and affordable. These are durable because of the strength of the material.

Acrylic and Other Beads

People confuse between the term plastic beads and acrylic beads. The fact is that the name Acrylic is an all-encompassing term used for the polymer, resin and some other plastic substances used to make beads.

There is another term called Lucite beads. Is there some basic difference between the two beads? No. Both Acrylic and Lucite are products of the same chemical ingredients. Both are basically plastic. Lucite is actually the name patented for the acrylic beads made by the famous brand DuPont.

Glass and Acrylic have a substantially different composition. Acrylic is a derivative of polymethyl methacrylate. Glass is different. It is derived mainly from silica, mixing it with thousands of other materials to make it shiny and transparent.

Choosing Acrylic

Shoppers of Acrylic beads look for various things while buying it. A variety of form, shape, size and colours are available. The various types are known as spacer beads, accent beads, end beads, pendants etc.

Spacers have geometrical shapes, eye catching colours and are less expensive than other types. These are used to give length to a jewelry project.

End beads are those that are used for finishing a project. These are particularly used by jewelry makers. These beads are more malleable than other acrylic beads to solidly secure the ends of a piece properly.

Accent beads are larger in size, have attractive colouring and liked for their unique shapes. These differ from the spacers in price also. Accent beads are more expensive.

Pendant beads are unique in nature. These are designed to hang down making them bigger in size and shape. A pendant bead becomes the most prominent aspect of a piece of jewelry. The string from which it hangs may have different colours and size to give it the main focus.

Appearance of Acrylic beads is also an important consideration. Solid colours see through beads that are transparent and sparkling shine like stardust, miracle beads etc. are very popular for appearance. Different shapes like balls, barrels cubes, and flower shaped hearts are some of the varieties in appearance.