Mardi Gras beads come in many different sizes and shapes, quanity and quality and conditions.

First, they are not fine jewelry, beading jewelry, or costume jewelry.  For example, when we say gold - we mean the color, not the metal. Pearl is a finish style - not an actual pearl.

Other terms:

Beads:  Refers to the entire necklace, hence a dozen would be 12 necklaces, not the amount of individual beads on the necklace.  Be careful of this, I have heard of people actually selling "144 beads" and the customer got a single necklace!

MM: millimeter or size of the bead. They usually run from 5mm up to 22mm being the usual range but there are also very tiny and really huge as well.  Most of the throw beads are in the 7 - 12mm range.  

The "standard": I have seen some ads stating the "standard" mm. This depends on your supplier and what is normal in your area and dictated by your krewe.  Contrary to what some out of town people will have you believe all krewes do not buy from the same supplier and some krewes have their own special beads that others cannot just buy even from that same manufacturer.  All colors are not made by all factorys so if you offer a wide range of colors, to keep it uniform, you will have to find a size that will fit all or your customers would get mismatched beads. 7mm is available in almost all colors that I know of. 7.5 is not. 7mm is lighter to mail so it is cheaper for the customer to receive. There is less than a penny extra cost per bead. In terms of quality or preference by anyone, no difference.  

Length: The length is measured like any necklace - 48" would be measured as if you had cut and laid it out straight. Most throw beads are currently about 33" - 60".

Styles: Many different styles are thrown, with the round and the disco ball (global) being the most plentiful.  Other popular styles are the twist, dice, fish, seashells, hearts, any many more. Round and disco ball usually come in a wide variety of colors, lengths and sizes and the others more limited as well as more expensive.

Finishes: Metallic - shiny metallic looking paint; Pearl - Pearlized looking paint; Translucent - See through - usually found in clear or colored tints.  Opaque or "clear coat": solid light shine color.  AB aurora borialis: irridescent finish usually done on a pearl or translucent bead to give it a real high luster gloss - adds to the expense of the bead.

Colors: Many different colors are thrown, different manufacturers make different shades and the shades change nearly every year.  Currently popular metallic colors are: purple, green, gold, blue, red, hot pink, navy, burgundy, turquoise, orange.  Pearl colors are white, light blue and hot pink. Translucent colors are: purple, green and yellow.

Construction: Mardi Gras beads are put together in many different ways. Some are glued which will result in a glue mark running anywhere from almost unseen clear to a thin light brown to a thick black, all of this is normal in a mardi gras bead, not a defect but a characteristic. Some are put together with a small metal rod. Some are to be fastened with a variety of S clasps or interlocking plastic fasteners.  Paint: the paint jobs also vary greatly especially on the metallic colors. They may have different tints, tones, black areas, light areas, heavy paint, light paint, poc marks, all this is normal - they are not fine jewelry!

Condition: Here is another area to look out for! You can almost not tell a used, previously thrown bead from a new one! Unless they are dirty (I have seen some people actually advertise them as dirty, yuk!) Some sellers do not say. New beads have to be thrown by the krewes. The wonderful, "caught in New Orleans parades" beads are great and you get a really nice assortment; however, please be aware, they may have been through all kinds of things before they reach you. I wouldn't let my kids play with those nor would I buy them unless I was collecting or throwing them again.  I do sell them as well, although, first, I do not pick up anything nasty, (nor do I attend any parades in nasty areas for that matter!)  Second, I do clean them.  I also pack them in groups of 12 normally.

Collector type beads:

Specialty beads: Are usually much more expensive but also better constructed than a throw bead.  You can get these to commemorate almost any occassion. They are normally hand painted and made of a resin, plastic or even a small plush or squeek toy!

Krewe beads: Most krewes have a special bead or beads that they throw which are highly sought after by the parade goers. They usually have a symbol of the krewe or krewe name within the bead necklace or a medallion connected to it.

Vintage beads: The old, small, fastener beads and the loose on a string or hand strung are getting much, much harder to find now. I got few of them this year. I guess a lot of them were flooded and thrown out so now is the time to stock up on these great old beads! The old ones come in a wide range of styles, colors and sizes.

Mardi Gras beads are a great, fun and collectable item. There are many beautiful beads out there to collect or to give away!  

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