BEAD SIZE CONVERSION CHARTS

I've alway had a heck of a time with millimeter to inch and back again conversions. Lampwork and other focal beads are usually measured in millimeters. However, they may also come on strands measured in inches. Here are some charts I used to figure out bead sizes and beads per strand.

INCHES TO MILLIMETERS CHART

1/16 inch = almost 2mm
1/8 inch = just barely over 3mm
1/4 inch = just barely over 6mm
3/8 inch = almost 10mm
1/2 inch = almost 13mm
5/8 inch = 16mm
3/4 inch = 19mm
7/8 inch = just barely over 22mm
1 inch = 25.4mm

MILLIMETERS TO INCHES CHART

1mm = just over 1/32 inch
2mm = just over 1/16 inch
3mm = almost 1/8 inch
4mm = 5/32 inch (= a bit over 1/8 inch)
5mm = just over 3/16 inch
6mm = almost 1/4 inch
7mm = almost 9/32 inch (= a bit over 1/4 inch)
8mm = 5/16 inch
9mm = almost 3/8 inch
10mm = just over 3/8 inch
11mm = almost 7/16 inch
12mm = almost 15/32 inch (= almost 1/2 inch)
13mm = just over 1/2 inch
14mm = almost 9/16 inch
15mm = almost 19/32 inch
16mm = 5/8 inch
17mm = almost 11/16 inch
18mm = just over 11/16 inch
19mm = 3/4 inch
20mm = 25/32 inch
21mm = just over 13/16 inch
22mm = almost 7/8 inch
23mm = 29/32 inch
24mm = just over 15/16 inch
25mm = almost 1 inch

BIRTHSTONE CHART

MONTH          BIRTHSTONE
January         Garnet
February       Amethyst
March           Aquamarine
April              Diamond
May              Emerald
June             Pearl, Moonstone
July               Ruby
August          Peridot
September   Sapphire
October        Opal,Tourmaline
November    Citrine
December    Turquoise, Lapis

CHOOSING BEAD COLORS

A COLOR WHEEL is a very useful tool when you are choosing colors for your designs. In a basic color wheel, the primary colors (red, yellow, blue) are separated by secondary colors (orange, violet, and green). Colors located across from each are complimentary. Use them together in your designs to create a striking contrast.

Color wheels come in a variety of color schemes, color tints, hues, and shades. You can purchase color wheels online or at your local art supply store. Or find what you like on the Web and print it for yourself.

Here's an example of a basic color wheel.





I hope you find the information useful -
Cheryl/Seafire
Seapost Beads And Bits Store