Materials for jewelry – complete guide for beginners

What materials should you use to make beaded jewelry?

A complete guide for beginners and aspiring 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 an obvious place to start.

In this post, you'll get a clear rundown of which materials and tools you need, so you can easily get started – no matter your level.

Overview – what you'll get in this guide

Basic materials for beaded jewelry
Jewelry findings you can't do without
Cord, 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 findings + cord 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 beads
Uniform beads made from shell. Budget-friendly and great 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 beads are very popular right now and give a more modern look than perfectly uniform beads.

Jewelry findings – what holds the jewelry together

Jewelry findings are the small metal pieces that connect the beads and make the jewelry functional.

The most important jewelry findings:

Clasps – e.g. lobster clasps, spring ring clasps or toggle clasps

Ear hooks, ear studs and hoops – for earrings

Pins (headpins and eyepins) – for pendants and beads

Pendants – decorative elements that give the jewelry personality and act as an eye-catcher in, for example, necklaces and earrings

Jump rings and connectors – for joining the pieces

Choose jewelry findings in stainless steel or sterling silver if you want the jewelry to last a long time and be comfortable to wear.

Cord, wire and chain – what should you choose?

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

The most commonly used solutions:

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

Jewelry Wire (tiger tail)
Gives a stable and professional look – great for necklaces.

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

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 look.

Material	Best Suited For	Difficulty Level	Advantage
Elastic Cord	Bracelets without a clasp	Easy (Beginner)	Easy to put on/take off
Jewelry Wire	Necklaces & bracelets with a clasp	Intermediate	Very strong & durable
Silk Cord / Nylon	Beaded necklaces with knots	Advanced	Drapes beautifully & organically
Memory Wire	Fixed bracelets (bangles)	Easy	Holds its shape on its own

Tools for jewelry making

You don't need much equipment to get started.

Basic tools:

A simple jewelry tool set is often more than enough for both hobby use and light production.

Hobby or small jewelry brand – what's the difference?

If you make jewelry as a hobby

Elastic cord and simple beads
Few jewelry findings
Focus on play, learning and creativity
Low investment

If you want to start a small jewelry brand

Better metals and more consistent beads
Jewelry wire or silk cord
Focus on durability, finish and quality
Consideration of recognizable style and design

Many start as a hobby and gradually develop it – one doesn't 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'll find:

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

Everything in one place – so you can focus on what matters most: 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 minimum beads, jewelry findings and something to assemble the piece with.

The most commonly used materials are freshwater pearls, shell pearls and semi-precious stones, clasps, ear hooks, head pins and either elastic cord, jewelry wire or chain. In addition, basic tools such as pliers are necessary to assemble the piece correctly.

Which beads are best for beginners?

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

Freshwater pearls are also suitable, but they are often in a higher price range and require a little 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 flat nose pliers, round nose pliers and side cutters is enough to make most bracelets, necklaces and earrings.

What's the difference between freshwater pearls and shell pearls?

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

Shell pearls are made from shell material 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 level:

Elastic cord is often used for bracelets and is the easiest for beginners
Jewelry wire gives a more stable and professional look
Silk cord and nylon thread are used especially for classic beaded necklaces

Which jewelry findings are needed to make earrings?

To make earrings, you typically need ear hooks or ear studs, head pins (head pins or eye pins), jump rings and possibly pendants.

Together with the beads, these parts make it possible to create virtually any type of earring and smaller jewelry design.

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

Yes, many jewelry brands actually start with beaded jewelry.

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

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

If the jewelry is going to be sold, it is recommended to use stainless steel, waterproof steel, sterling silver, or long-lasting gold-plated jewelry findings.

Waterproof steel in particular is popular, as it is resistant to water, sweat, and daily use, while also retaining its color and requiring minimal maintenance.

These materials are more durable, hypoallergenic, and result in a more professional final product, which is well suited for both everyday use and sale.

What characterizes modern jewelry in 2026?

Modern beaded jewelry is characterized by:

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

This style is often seen among Danish jewelry brands today.

Where can you buy materials for beaded jewelry in Denmark?

Materials for beaded jewelry can be purchased from specialty retailers such as Uniq Perler, which offers beads, jewelry findings, cord, wire, and tools all in one place – for both hobby use and more professional jewelry making.

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

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

Andreas Bruhn

Uniq Perler