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What materials do you need to make beaded jewelry?

A complete guide for beginners and upcoming jewelry brands

Do you dream of making your own jewelry at home – either as a creative hobby or with the idea of starting your own small jewelry brand?

Then beaded jewelry is a great place to start.

In this post, you will get a clear recipe for which materials and tools you need, so you can easily get started – regardless of your level.

Overview – that's what you get in this guide

  • Basic materials for beaded jewelry
  • Jewelry parts you can't do without
  • String, wire, and chain – what should you choose?
  • Tools for jewelry making
  • Hobby vs. small jewelry brand
  • Design and style tips in the spirit of the times

Basic materials for beaded jewelry

When you make beaded jewelry, the foundation consists of beads + jewelry parts + string or chain.

Here we go through them one by one.

Beads – the most important element of the jewelry

Beads come in many types, and your choice has a big impact on both the look and the price.

The most commonly used bead types:

Freshwater pearls
Natural pearls with an exclusive and organic look. Each pearl is unique and very popular in modern jewelry.

Shell pearls
Uniform pearls made from seashell. Budget-friendly and good for beginners.

Semi-precious stones and glass beads
Often used together with beads to create color, contrast, and personality.

Miyuki beads
Small, extremely uniform Japanese seed beads of high quality. Miyuki beads are often used for detailed jewelry such as beaded rings, bracelets, weaving, and bead embroidery and are popular in modern, minimalist designs.

Tip: Irregular and baroque pearls are very popular right now and give a more modern look than perfectly round pearls.

Jewelry parts – what holds the jewelry together

Jewelry components are the small metal parts that connect the beads and make the jewelry functional.

The most important jewelry components:

Clasps – e.g. lobster clasp, spring clasp or toggle-clasps

Ear Hooks, ear stud and hoops – for earrings

Pins (headpins and eyepins) – for pendants and beads

Pendant – decorative elements that give the jewelry personality and act as eye-catchers in, for example, necklaces and earrings

Jump rings and intermediate links – to connect the parts

Feel free to choose jewelry components in stainless steel or sterling silver if the jewelry should last long and be comfortable to wear.

Cord, wire, and chain – what should you choose?

The choice of cord or chain depends on the type and level of jewelry.

The most used solutions:

Elastic cord
Perfect for bracelets and beginners. Requires no clasp.

Jewelry wire (tigertail)
Provides a stable and professional look – good for necklaces.

Silk Cord or nylon thread
Used especially for classic pearl necklaces, often with a knot between each pearl.

Metal chains
Used alone or combined with beads for a modern look.

Tip: The combination of beads and chain is very popular and gives a raw meets romantic expression.

Materiale Bedst egnet til Sværhedsgrad Fordel
Elastiksnor Armbånd uden lås Let (Begynder) Nem at tage af/på
Smykkewire Halskæder & armbånd med lås Mellem Meget stærk & holdbar
Silkesnor / Nylon Perlekæder med knuder Øvet Falder flot & organisk
Memory Wire Faste armbånd (bangles) Let Holder selv formen

Tools for jewelry making

You don’t need much equipment to get started.

Basic tools:

A simple jewelry tool set is often plenty for both hobby and light production.

Hobby or small jewelry brand – what is the difference?

If you make jewelry as a hobby
  • Elastic cord and simple beads
  • Get jewelry components
  • Focus on play, learning, and creativity
  • Low investment
If you want to start a small jewelry brand
  • Better metals and more uniform beads
  • Jewelry wire or Silk Cord
  • Focus on durability, finish, and quality
  • Consider recognizable style and design

Many start as a hobby and develop it gradually – one does not exclude the other.

Ready to get started?

Whether you want to make your first beaded bracelet or dream of creating your own jewelry brand, the most important thing is to get started.

At Uniq Perler you will find:

  • Beads in many varieties
  • High-quality jewelry components
  • Cord, wire, chains, and tools

All gathered in one place – so you can focus on the most important thing: creativity.

FAQ – Frequently asked questions about beaded jewelry and jewelry making

What materials do you need to make beaded jewelry?

To make beaded jewelry, you need at least beads, jewelry components, and something to assemble the jewelry with.

The most commonly used materials are freshwater pearls, shell beads, and semi-precious stones, clasps, ear hooks, pins and either elastic cord, jewelry wire, or chain. Additionally, basic tools like pliers are necessary to assemble the jewelry correctly.

Which beads are best for beginners?

Shell beads and glass beads are often best for beginners because they are uniform, budget-friendly, and easy to work with.

Freshwater pearls are also suitable but are often in a higher price range and require a bit more attention when purchasing, as they can vary in both shape and hole size.

Can you make jewelry at home without professional tools?

Yes, you can easily make beaded jewelry at home without professional equipment.

A simple set consisting of a flat nose pliers, round nose pliers, and Flat Nose Pliers is enough to make most bracelets, necklaces, and earrings.

What is the difference between freshwater pearls and shell beads?

Freshwater pearls are natural pearls formed in mussels and therefore vary in shape, size, and appearance.

Shell beads are made from seashell and coated with mother-of-pearl, which makes them completely uniform and more affordable. Both types are used in modern jewelry, depending on the desired style and budget.

Which cord should you use for beaded jewelry?

The choice of cord depends on the type of jewelry and experience:

  • Elastic cord is often used for bracelets and is easiest for beginners
  • Jewelry wire provides a more stable and professional look
  • Silk Cord and nylon thread are especially used for classic pearl necklaces

Which jewelry components are necessary to make earrings?

To make earrings, you typically need ear hooks or ear stud, pins (headpins or eyepins), jump rings, and optionally a pendant.

Together with the beads, these parts make it possible to create almost all types of earrings and smaller jewelry designs.

Is it possible to start a jewelry brand with beaded jewelry?

Yes, many jewelry brands start precisely with beaded jewelry.

By choosing uniform materials, focusing on quality, and creating a recognizable style, beaded jewelry can form the foundation for a small jewelry brand sold via social media, webshop, or markets.

Which materials should you choose if you want to sell jewelry?

If the jewelry is to be sold, it is recommended to use stainless steel, water-resistant steel, sterling silver, or long-lasting gold-plated jewelry components.

Especially water-resistant steel is popular because it is resistant to water, sweat, and daily use, while maintaining its color and requiring minimal maintenance.

These materials are more durable, hypoallergenic, and provide a more professional end product, suitable for both everyday use and sales.

What characterizes modern jewelry in 2026?

Modern pearl jewelry is characterized by:

  • Organic and imperfect pearls
  • Combination of pearls and chains
  • Layered styling
  • Use of colored stones and pendants

This style is often seen in Danish jewelry brands today.

Where can you buy materials for pearl jewelry in Denmark?

Materials for pearl jewelry can be purchased from specialty retailers such as Uniq Perler, who offer pearls, jewelry parts, cord, wire, and tools all in one place – both for hobby use and more professional jewelry making.

Thank you for your time!

I hope you learned something from today's blog post. If nothing else, I hope you found the post interesting.

It was great that you took the time to read along!

Andreas Bruhn

Uniq Perler

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