Durability of Miyuki Seed Beads

Miyuki seed beads are one of the most uniform seed bead on the market. And if you're attempting to weave beads together (e.g., peyote stitch or brick stitch), having beads that are uniform in both size and shape is critical. Not only will it be easier, but it will look much better too!

But what about durability? Miyuki seed beads are also one of the most durable in terms of color and finish, but they aren't immune to fading and other unfavorable scenarios. On the other hand, cheap seed beads that you find on Amazon or in craft stores are often painted. And the paint peels off rather quickly. This will NOT happen with Miyuki beads. They are leaps and bounds more durable.

In general, I always recommend keeping your beads as dry as possible, limiting exposure to chemicals in bath and body products (e.g., soap, lotion, and perfume), and storing your beads away from direct sunlight when not in use. This will help protect the color and finish of your beads.

However, some finishes are more durable than others and the chart below provides a summary according to Miyuki.

Please note that the answer is not always black and white because some finishes are applied to different types of colored beads (e.g., non-dyed versus dyed). And sometimes more than one finish is applied.

💚 Transparent (non-dyed)

Transparent beads are made from raw colored glass. Therefore, the color will not fade or rub off. So if you're looking for a waterproof option, non-dyed transparent beads are one of the best options.

However, please note there are also transparent "dyed" beads and they are at risk of fading overtime with unfavorable conditions. Therefore, it's important to know whether the transparent beads are dyed or not. Some shops specify this, but not all.

💚 Opaque (non-dyed)

Opaque beads are made with colored glass. Therefore, the color will not fade or rub off. So if you're looking for a waterproof option, non-dyed opaque beads are one of the best options.

However, please note there are also opaque "dyed" beads and they are at risk of fading overtime with unfavorable conditions. Therefore, it's important to know whether the opaque beads are dyed or not. Some shops specify this, but not all.

💚 Semi-frosted (non-dyed)

Semi-frosted beads are lightly "frosted" to dull the shine a bit.

If the frosted beads are not dyed, then the color is permanent. If the frosted beads are dyed, then the color is susceptible to fading. Therefore, it's important to know whether the color is dyed or not.

💚 Ceylon Finish

Ceylon beads have a clear luster coating on top of translucent beads, which makes them appear midway between a transparent bead and an opaque bead.

The coating/color of these beads are highly durable.

💚 Frosted Opaque/ Glazed Rainbow

Frosted opaque/glazed rainbow beads have a matte rainbow (AB) finish. The coating/color of these beads is highly durable.

💚 Metallic

Please note that metallic beads are different than galvanized. Metallic beads have an iris or bronze luster coating applied to the surface. And due to how the film is applied, dried, and cured, it is highly durable.

💛 Luster Finish

Luster finish beads have a coating applied that enhances the color of the beads and adds extra shine. The luster finish is highly durable.

However, the overall durability depends on what type of beads the luster finish is applied to. Are they transparent, opaque, silver-lined, or color-lined? You can view these categories to learn more about each.

Overall, luster finish beads made with non-dyed transparent and non-dyed opaque beads are the most durable.

💛 Rainbow (AB) Finish

Rainbow (a.k.a. AB) finish beads have a coating applied that appears like aurora borealis depending on the angle. The coating itself is highly durable.

However, the durability of the color of the beads depends on what type of beads the rainbow finish is applied to. Are they transparent, opaque, silver-lined, or color-lined? You can view these categories to learn more about each.

Overall, rainbow finish beads made with non-dyed transparent and non-dyed opaque beads are the most durable.

💛 Plated

Plated beads have a very thin layer of real metal applied. The metals include silver, 24K gold, palladium, or nickel. Overall, plated beads are durable. However, the plating is susceptible to rubbing off due to strong friction or reactions with acids on the skin. The silver may also tarnish like real silver does.

Copper plated beads are also available, which are less durable than the metals mentioned above.

💛 Picasso Finish

Picasso finish beads have a "marble-and-mottled" pattern coating. The overall color is generally safe from fading, but the pattern is susceptible to rubbing off due to strong friction or acids in the skin.

💛 Duracoat

Duracoat beads have an extra clear coating applied to increase the durability of either dyed or galvanized beads. While it does improve the durability, it does not prevent it completely. Proper care is essential.

🧡 Silver-lined

Silver-lined beads are transparent beads with a silver plating inside the hole.

The silver lining is susceptible to discoloration overtime, just like real silver oxidizes. Therefore, proper care is essential.

In regard to the color of the transparent beads, the color is only susceptible to fading if the beads are dyed. If they are made with colored glass, the color will not fade.

🧡 Gold Luster Finish

Gold luster is a glazed coating that is less durable than other coatings.

Miyuki states that some colors may fade due to ultraviolet rays, and the color may rub off from strong friction.

🧡 Color-lined

Color-lined beads are transparent beads with a dyed color inside the hole. The dyed insides are susceptible to fading from both the sun as well as chemical in bath and body products. Proper care is essential.

🧡 Dyed Beads

Dyed beads come in both transparent and opaque. Dyed beads are the most susceptible to color fading from the sun as well as detergents and bath and body products. Proper care is essential.

Added finishes and coatings can make them more durable. For example, dyed opaque beads with a frosted/glazed rainbow finish are highly durable.

Duracoat is another finish that enhances the durability of dyed beads, but it does not completely prevent fading. Again, proper care is needed.

🧡 Galvanized

Galvanized beads have a non-metal plating applied to give the beads a metallic look. According to Miyuki, the color of the plating is susceptible to discoloration. The plating may also rub off with strong friction or due to exposure to bath and body products (e.g., lotion and perfume). Proper care is essential.

Duracoat improves the durability of galvanized beads, but it does not completely prevent the issues above. Proper care is still essential.