Finishes on Miyuki Beads

In today's post I'm going to talk about the different finishes and coatings that Miyuki beads have. Depending on the color name, we can tell what type of finish they have been given, these are the most important:

AL-Alabaster ( translucent finish, marble look )

AB ( Northern Lights )

C-Ceylon ( pearl finish, similar to matte gloss, but more subdued and the colors are often softer )

CR-Crystal (clear finish , the inside of the bead is darker than the outside, similar to Color Lined)

Duracoat ( Durable )

F-Fancy (transparent finish , usually with an aurora borealis effect and within Color Lined)

GA-Galvanized ( chemically plated – Color not very durable )

ICL-Inside Color Lined ( Transparent bead, the inside of the bead is a different color than the outside. )

ICL* Same as above, but interior color shines through.

L-Luster ( pearl finish )

M-Metallic ( metallic look )

MA-Matte ( frosted look, very popular – opaque unless otherwise stated )

MR-Metallic Rainbow ( Multiple metallic color, often called “Iris” )

OP-Opaque ( light does not pass through the bead )

OPL-Opaque Luster ( Opaque with a pearlescent finish. )

OPR-Opaque Rainbow ( opaque with an Aurora Borealis Rainbow finish – often multiple colors )

R-Rainbow ( Northern Lights Rainbow finish – often multiple colors)

S-Satin ( Silky look: very nice, but with sharp edges. )

SL-Silver Lined

S-MA-Semi-Matte (Not as shiny as most beads, but not a matte finish either )

T-Transparent ( Some light passes through the bead )

TL-Transparent Luster (light passes through the bead and has a slight pearl finish )

T MA-Transparent Matte (A little light passes through the bead, frosted finish)

TR-Transparent Rainbow (light passes through the bead, with an Aurora Borealis -Rainbow- finish)

TSL-Transparent Silver Lined (light passes through the bead, the hole of the bead is Silver Lined)

All these finishes give Miyuki an almost infinite range of colours.