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Delicas are a particular bead manufactured by world famous Miyuki, Japan's oldest seed bead producer. They are cylindrical in shape with a large hole that provides room for multiple passes of thread through each bead and can be had in a vast array of colors and finishes.

Size 11 is the most in demand size of the Delica beads with 944 selections of colors, finishes and treatments in the round cylinders plus approximately 55 more in the hex cuts, which are hexagon shaped cylinders. The many variations are obtained by particular glass treatments. There is basic transparent glass, basic opaque glass, and etched glass for a matte or semi-matte effect. Then there are the many different colored glasses.

In addition there is a variety of finishes or treatments. "Treatment" means something that is applied onto the surface of the glass and can be on the top, sometimes within the hole and in some instances one finish on the top and a different finish in the hole. Treatments can be made up of a clear "rainbow" or "aurora borealis" finish, a "pearl" finish, colored dyes, and an array of metal coatings including precious metals. Some Delica beads have more than one treatment applied to them in order to result in the desired effect.

Be aware that there may be durability concerns with some of the finishes such as the dyed or galvanized beads. The best retailers will be able to supply you with the durability information.

Miyuki also manufactures a size 10 Delica that is somewhat larger, a size 8 that is a lot larger than the size 11, and a size 15 that is much smaller. The size 10 and 15 are quite new and therefore don't come in as as big a variety of colors and finishes as the size 11.

The quality of Miyuki's Delica beads is very high and as a result they cost more. You must purchase them from a reputable bead supplier that sells the true article. Be aware that some retailers have been known to obtain less expensive, lower quality beads from another producer and pass them off as Delicas. Also be very careful if you are tempted to buy at an on-line auction.

If you are getting your beads to complete a pattern that provides you with the Delica number, such as DB-010, you shouldn't have a problem because each color has a number. However, if you are buying your beads by color name you may have a problem, as there is not a standard color description for each bead. The reason being that the Japanese description does not translate readily into English and the different importers each have their own interpretation. So it's always best to go by the DB- number.

Genuine Delica beads are a superb choice in any Loom, Peyote or Brick project due to the fact that they are so regular. They make any pattern line up perfectly and give a clean, crisp finish to your project. There are fewer culls when you are working and therefore they are more cost effective than their price might indicate. And the color and finish selection is fantastic!

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