Beaded jewelry is so versatile, because you can make it with all sorts of different beads! Mala beads, seed beads, gemstone beads, and more—here’s what you need to know about the most common bead types used in jewelry making and the traditions behind them.
Mala Beads
Mala beads are a type of prayer bead used in Buddhist and Hindu meditation practices. Original mala beads are usually yellow because yellow is associated with knowledge and learning in both traditions. But today, you can find mala beads in many colors as well.
A full mala strand contains 108 beads, and each one marks a breath or mantra repetition during practice. Outside of meditation, mala beads show up frequently in beaded jewelry for their texture and cultural weight.
Navajo Pearls
Despite their name, Navajo pearls aren’t pearls at all! They’re a type of bead made by Navajo silversmiths using sterling silver, hand-stamped and oxidized to create that distinctive darkened finish.
Each bead is shaped individually, which means slight variations from bead to bead are normal—and expected. That handcrafted quality is exactly what makes them recognizable. They’re common in southwestern-style necklaces and bracelets, and they pair well with turquoise and other natural stones.
Seed Beads
Seed beads are tiny, uniformly shaped glass beads that come in a huge range of colors. Their small size makes them ideal for intricate beadwork, including loom weaving and embroidery.
Indigenous artisans across North America have used seed beads for centuries to create detailed patterns on clothing, bags, and ceremonial items. In contemporary jewelry, they’re often used for layered bracelets or as filler between larger focal beads.
Glass Beads
Glass beads have been traded and worn across cultures for thousands of years, which makes them one of the oldest bead materials still widely used today. They’re made by melting glass and shaping it around a mold or mandrel, then letting it cool into a finished form.
Lampwork glass beads are a popular subcategory—each one is made individually over a flame, which produces swirling colors and patterns you can’t replicate with mass production. They’re lightweight, versatile, and available in virtually every color.
Gemstone Beads
Gemstone beads are cut from natural stones like turquoise, amethyst, or labradorite and drilled through the center for stringing. Each stone carries its own density, texture, and color variation, so no two beads look exactly alike. That natural inconsistency is part of the appeal. Gemstone beads are heavier than glass, which changes how a finished piece drapes and feels when worn.
Wood Beads
Wood beads are cut or carved from natural wood and finished with oils, stains, or left raw depending on the look. The weight and grain vary by wood type, so sandalwood beads feel and smell noticeably different from lighter basswood or darker ebony varieties. Sandalwood in particular has a long history in mala and prayer bead traditions because the natural scent is said to support focus during meditation.
In modern jewelry, wood beads add an earthy, organic texture that contrasts well with metal hardware or gemstone accents.
Your Next Beading Project
Now that you know the difference between common types of beads used in jewelry making, you can shop and design with a lot more confidence. Whether you’re drawn to the cultural history of mala beads or the handcrafted detail of Navajo pearls, the bead type you choose shapes the story the finished piece tells.
