Tips & Tricks: How I Test Bead Finishes

It's such a bummer when a bead finish changes on you! Here's my technique for testing a bead finish before you use it in a big project.
The Full Labrador seed beads that passed the test can be found here: shop.jillwisema...

[@FloridaGrandma]

Been there too many times. Thanks for such an easy way to test a finish before we put all the time and energy into a project and then are let down. ❤💚💜💙💛

[@Crystalnachi]

I made a bracelet with silver galvanized beads and sent it to my daughter. She wore it when she visited and it looked gold. She said that she had wondered why I would send gold when she requested silver but didn't say anything. She loved the design and wore it anyway. When I took a closer look, I noticed the color wore off. It just took a couple of days in the mail and the silver wore off exposing the goldish color underneath. I was so shocked and upset because I had used that bead for other jewelry pieces that I gave as gifts. I took apart the bracelet and remade it with permanent galvanized silver Toho beads that I tested with a ring that I made. I wore the ring, washed dishes, wore it in the shower, styled my hair, washed with different soaps and even put perfume on it. It passed the test. Hallelujah!

[@ahujadeep]

Nancy .

[@JudithBrummett]

Jill thank you so much for doing the homework for us and carrying the beads that are the best quality.

[@brookspa94]

Thank You once again for generously giving ur time, to help us all be BETTER! This has been SO helpful! Knowing u will be checking the durability of the finish of your beads & labeling them, definitely will put my mind at ease when buying them! Thanks & Bless You!

[@tyedye571]

This is a great tip. It's always nice to know what finishes to avoid when you pour your money and time into a project.

[@judybrown9175]

Oh my gosh! What a great tip. I get so sad when this happens! Thanks Jill.

[@christinetyers1202]

Thank you so very much Jill for this information, it has helped me enormously. I recently shopped for some beads at another store and they gave me incorrect information so now I will try my beads accordingly..... Christine xxxx

[@amybradley2514]

PURPLE! I love it! And yes, I've gone through the finish failing things. Also the fading inner color!

[@rebeccajns]

A great 'Tips' Video!👍Looking forward to all your FABULOUS tips and tutorials in 2017!!! Your the Best💜😘

[@catawbacats]

Great information Jill! Thanks for letting us know. I am so enamored with the new Labrador full beads - good to know they hold up! :)

[@karen5060]

Hi Jill... great tip. I really hate using gold coloured findings. Example: clasps, spacers, lobsters, earring hooks. I find that the colour is so brassy or dark and dollar store looking. (Not that I bought them from a dollar store.) When you stitch a nice piece with rich looking gold beads and lovely coordinating colours, you can't possibly use them as it cheapens the piece. Also, I have made things when I first started beading, never wore them, and kept them sealed in a zippy bag hoping to sell one day...(yeah like that's gonna happen...lol). Anyway, the gold findings have turned "ugly" even though they've been sealed. I don't have access to bead stores around here, except for one that carries the same old same old. How can I tell if I'm getting a gold finding that looks as nice as the piece I put a lot of money and time into, even when purchasing online? (Especially now I'm forced to order online...I loved to browse for hours in a little shop...but those days are gone around here...I digress...lol.) I appreciate any advice you could spare. I know you are a very busy girl. I love your designs. ... Karen M. xo

[@irisgray8189]

Thank you Jill, this will help me in my beading projects.

[@kotadawndragon]

Jill, I'm similar to you in that I have a more acidic skin chemistry. EVERY time I've tried a full-labrador coated bead, they turn black on me. I had a lovely bracelet I made using your festival of lights video. Every last one of the labrador-coated superduos turned black where they touched my skin.

[@TheWiseMagpie1]

That is very useful! I am always sceptic towards metalcoatings, due to the poor quality. Thank you for your tips!!

[@peggyschott2879]

Great video, that is an awesome tip for testing them out, I would never have thought to do a ring, so EASY it almost hurts, lol.

[@seonamcdonald1134]

thankyou so much Jill, what a fabulous tip! I'll definitely start doing this too ☺

[@sallylamore8318]

Jewel School JTV next week kits!!! So excited!

[@VeeFromSpicy]

Thank you, Jill! I wonder if anyone tried to spray a finished piece with a clear Rustolium or something like it... To prevent beads from discoloring or peeling? Or metal findings from tarnishing? If yes, what's the best way to do it?

[@chrisp8409]

I am with some other respondents. Is there a coating we can use to not waste some beautiful beads we've purchased? I'm winging it here, but something like a light coat of clear finger nail polish that you'd lightly swipe over the surface where the bead might hit the skin?

[@dvcrztb]

This was really helpful. Thanks!

[@MsBojac]

Thank you Jill. 😊

[@LADYLUCK7804]

Thank you so much for such a useful tip Jill!!! :)

[@ea3303]

thank you jill

[@juaniskay03]

thank you Jill that is a great tip

[@Stephanie_Hancock]

Great info. And nice blouse, very flattering. :)

[@heathervona7883]

I too have acidic skin and bought kits for a couple of the "Festival of Lights" bangles from you and so far some of the super duos have lost their coating on the inside...It's not really noticeable when I am wearing them, but I see it when I take them off...

[@liverbird46]

Thank you Jill. As a jewellery designer and bead supplier do you ever provide feedback about such things to the bead manufacturers?

[@sherikane9437]

Great tips! Thanks for sharing!

[@ginah9338]

Thank you so much!

[@LorrieannR]

Thank you for this information. It's very helpful!

[@SivanKatz212]

I had a beautiful milky white with gold interior. After awhile, all the gold has faded and left with just the plain white. It was very elegant with the gold. I also didi a craw rope with cranberry colored beads. In the beginning it was fine but after wearing it multiple times, the color started fading. I was super bummed.

[@juliefenicle1940]

I had the same thing happen to a bracelet I made. I had a light purple, silver finish and black seed beeds. Wore the bracelet one time at work. With washing hands all day, the purple bead faded into the thread and actually onto my skin. These purple beads came from Jo-Ann Fabics and were transparent.

[@amybradley2514]

Try not to buy beads at places such as Jo-Ann's and Michael's. You will generally actually be paying more for a lower quality bead (unless clearly labeled!) Also, purples can be one of the hardest colors to get in glass without using a dye or a coating. The problem is that many times the coatings (yes, even transparent beads made be color coated) are not light-fast or permanent. I had two such experiences: One was a beautiful bright magenta-purple transparent bead. Luckily I wasn't using it in a project, but just trying out a couple of things. I noticed suddenly that my fingers were turning pink, and I realized the color was coming off the beads even as I handled them (I do have a somewhat acidic skin chemistry)! So I put that tube of seed beads aside and marked them DO NOT USE. The other experience was with an amulet bag I made for myself that included some transparent, color-lined purple beads. The bead itself was transparent glass with the purple inside. Over time, that purple has faded away on most of those beads, revealing the white core. You can still see a little of the purple on some of beads, but none of them still have the original color. These beads are obviously not light-fast. Anyway, I hope you don't run into any more poor quality colored beads!

[@kzookid2051]

Good info, thanks.

[@Annie.C.61]

Great information, thank you.

[@necoragha65]

Love your shirt.

[@debbiecarney1724]

Great tips , thank you

[@barbaraconnorpityitshasnts2948]

fab tips as usual xx

[@cindybrook0520]

Thanks Jill. What was the name of the color that didn't make it?

[@judyanne3563]

What kind of seed beads should I get that all match exactly? My seed beads are all different shaped even if they are metal. It makes my bracelets look kinda wonky:-(

[@patford1491]

Thank you for the video it helps a lot

[@Nanzilla]

Wow I wish I had watched this video before I ordered those galvanized beads heh, I had the same issue with some brick red ones.

[@elizabethwhiteoak5291]

This was so helpful! Also .. I wanted to ask if anyone else has such big probs with their silver-lined Miyukis?? Without even being worn all of mine go dark and even black, very old looking not long after completing a piece that might have taken me weeks! Particularly silver lined clear Miyukis, especially 11/0 Delicas! It's heartbreaking : ( Does anyone know how to stop this from happening?? Thank you!

[@lisebeauvais5305]

How can you tell before you purchase seedbeads. As I have already bought beads that stated to turn before I got my project finished

[@makokoro9073]

I purchased some beautiful seed beads gold tone. They look beautiful, but by the time i am done with my project, the coating rubs off or peels off 😩😰😤😡😣😥😧😨😱😲😟

[@lindamegarry6152]

Which one was the bad one? Not the duracoat I hope, I have so many.

[@Tismesue]

Linda Megarry I think we can quite safely assume that if it had been a duracoat or permanent finish bead, Jill would have definitely mentioned that. Incidentally, I have used Toho galvanized silver regular seed beads too, with the same result, except they are white underneath. Also on my first project and I also felt like crying (or did), can't quite remember. ;)

[@AmandaLynneMurtagh]

Can we not use some kind of sealant on them? I had a gold bead that had this problem and I'd hate to waste them all :(

[@amybradley2514]

Some people will put their questionable beads in a plastic bag and then spray a clear acrylic coating such as Krylon on the beads, gently shake the bag to coat the beads. The only problem is it is hard to get the coating even and the beads tend to stick together when you do this.

[@kazeekins1]

Thank you Jill so disappointed . I was bought the Galvanised silver for Christmas ..... xx

[@cyndinason5095]

Since you already have the beads, try wiping them down with Renaissance Wax Polish.

[@kazeekins1]

I will try and get some Cyndi .. in the U.K. Thank you for your kind advice . x

[@eponymousIme]

What is the name/maker of the bead that failed your test?

[@terapeay6522]

Very helpful. Worst nightmare scenario

[@patsymutiso]

I know how you feel. Made myself a bracelet and couldn't believe the finish was coming off😩

[@lidaspaans8714]

es

[@SuperDenise128]

Wow. Maybe hair dressers should wear masks! Oh my!

[@tyrroo]

Yes, that's a scary thought: if all those chemicals in the air are harming your jewelry, what's happening to your body?!?

[@brookspa94]

Thank You once again for generously giving ur time, to help us all be BETTER! This has been SO helpful! Knowing u will be checking the durability of the finish of your beads & labeling them, definitely will put my mind at ease when buying them! Thanks & Bless You!

[@dawnclements5907]

Thank you so much!