Swarovski Bead Article Component Numbers, and Their Meaning

Have you ever seen the numbers that are associated with the Swarovski® bead components and wondered what that are or how they are used?  Swarovski® bead numbers can be very helpful in finding the exact item, color or bead shape you are looking for.  This guide is a continuation of Swarovski Crystal Beads, Finishes & Effects, Part 1 , Swarovski Crystal Beads, Finishes & Effects, Part 2 , and also the Swarovski Crystal Beads, Limited & Out of Production Items, and we will discuss how to find what you are looking for by understand the numbers associated with the beads from Swarovski.



Information on the main Swarovski website can be a hard place to locate information but they do have another site that does have some good information with photos and product numbers. A site that might be a little harder to find is the Create Your Style [beads] site by Swarovski®. It has a list of all the categories and articles available (and we also have a list of components we carry on our website under diagrams).


5601 Crystal Meridian Blue

Swarovski® crystal beads are produced using a number designation for each component (shape) and are broken down into categories for like pieces.  For this article we will be referring mainly to the "components" line of Swarovski® products. Swarovski® of course makes many products, and one of those are their line of components [individual pieces used for making various jewelry and craft items]. [From left to right below, #5000-Rounds , #5203-Polygons , #5523-Cosmic , #5810-Pearls )


Within the components the products can be broken down into basically eight categories. Within those eight categories are many different articles of different shapes and sizes.  An example of this would be the diagram on our ebay store. At the top level are the Swarovski® components, then come the eight subcategories (not all of which we carry):  [ Crystal Beads (5000), Crystal Pearls (5800), Pendants (6000), Round Stones (1000), Fancy Stones (4000), Flat Backs - non Hotfix (2000), Flatbacks Hotfix (2500-2700), Sew On Stones (3000) ]


Notice the large first section [5000] is for all bead components that start with a #5xxx.  In the example above, #5000 is the Round, and part of the main catagory for crystal beads.  Each of the eight main categories above start with a unique number and everything within that catagory shares the first part of that number. The numbers are in brackets above, but staying with the crystal beads example (the 5000's) everything within that catagory will be a #5000 of some kind. In example, #5000 is a round, #5003 is a different cut round, #5040 is a spacer, a #5601 is a cube (seen in the photo above), and so on.

Here is a reference guide for numbers that we carry (and a few images), and is by no means complete, in order from left to right below: [ #5000-Rounds, #5020-Helix, #5040-Spacers, #5203-Polygon, #5301-Bicone, #5305-Spacer, #5310-Simplicity, #5500-Drop, #5523-Cosmic, #5601-Cubes, #5810-Pearls, #5821-Pearl Drop, #5826-Curved Pearl ]

              

So, why is all this important in the first place? Well, have you ever tried to find a very specific color, finish, size, and shape? Knowing the article number is a great start.   You can narrow a search on eBay with the article number so you don't have to hunt through thousands of listings.  If you know you are looking for the spacer in green peridot, and you know it is a 5040 then all you need is the size and color and you have a great narrow search.  The search using the term swarovski 5040 6mm peridot will yeild much better results than swarovski spacers will.

It will also determine the exact cut you are going to receive. Most are familiar with the bicone cut, but how about the #5523 (the new COSMIC bead) or the #5203 (POLYGONS)? These are very complex cuts and finding the article number and a corresponding diagram is a great tool.

Please don't forget to vote on our guide if you found it helpful.  Where you looking for something else?  Just let us know.  We specialize in Swarovski Crystal Beads and if you didn't find what you are looking for here, we can probably point you in the right direction.  Go to our contact us from eBay above (user ID minordtails) or visit our ebay store for the largest variety of color and components at http://stores.ebay.com/Minor-Details .  We offer great prices and shipping discounts, ship within 24 hours, and we are continually adding new colors and components.

Our other guides and some new guides coming soon:

Swarovski Crystal Beads, Finishes & Effects, Part 1 (basic finishes and effects produced)
Swarovski Crystal Beads, Finishes & Effects, Part 2  (effects and combinations of each)
Swarovski® Crystal Beads, Limited & Out of Production  (special production items, limited or vintage)
Real Swarovski® Crystal Beads or Fake Glass? Part 1
Real Swarovski® Crystal Beads or Fake Glass? Part 2
Swarovski Bead Article Component Numbers, and Their Meaning
New Swarovski Crystal Bead Colors and Component Releases
Hole Sizes for Swarovski Crystal Beads and Components
Swarovski Bead Diagrams, Shapes, Sizes, Cuts
How to Take Great Photographs of your Crystals or Finished Pieces
How to Shop Smart for Swarovski on eBay
Wire Gauge Comparisons
Differences in Jump Rings and Split Rings
Jewelry Clasp Types
Head Pins and Eye Pins

[ALL images & text are ©2007 Minor Detail, Inc.  Image theft is taken very seriously, please do not use any of our images without permission.  The Swarovski® name is a trademark name and as stated in their copyright information, our company only sells finished pieces manufactured by Swarovski® themselves, any use of the name corresponds to an actual Swarovski® product.]