Beading Glossary - Letter B

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	Bail  A finding that connects a pendant to a necklace. They come in different forms: some clip onto the pendant, some have mounts to glue the pendant to, and some attach to a ring on the pendant. The purpose is to hold the pendant flat when worn.
	Bali beads  Sterling silver beads made individually by hand in Bali, Indonesia.
	Bangle  A style of bracelet consisting of a closed ring, usually metal or plastic and often brightly colored. Popular in the 1980s.
	Baroque  (1) A design style of the 17th century characterized by elaborate ornamentation. (2) An irregularly shaped bead, usually applied to pearls.
	Barrel Bead  Barrel refers to the shape of the bead - the bead can be made of any material such as metal, glass, wood, or plastic.
	Barrel Clasp  A common form of clasp, especially for necklaces. Can be hard to attach on bracelets without help, and often comes undone on anklets, so is best suited for necklaces.
	Barrette  A piece of jewelry used to tie hair back, available in many sizes and styles. Beadwork can be added to barrettes by working it onto fabric or leather first and then gluing or otherwise fastening the work to the barrette.
	Bead Cap  A metal bell or cap-shaped bead that goes next to a round bead, partly covering it. Often used on both sides of a bead to "frame" it.
	Bead Embroidery  Bead embroidery is technique for adding beads to fabric using traditional embroidery stitches. Beads can be used as embellishments on an incredible array of items from garments to shoes to home décor. More about Bead Embroidery
	Bead tip  Another word for callotte.
	Beading cone  A fashionable way to end a multi-stranded necklace. The metal cone covers the ends of the strands, which are tied together in a knot inside the cone. Buy Sterling Silver Beading Cones
	Beadweaving  Bead weaving techniques are used to create jewelry, art objects and accessories. Weaving can be done on a loom, or simply using a needle and thread. Bead weaving stitches that don’t require a loom are called "off-loom" techniques. More about Beadweaving or off-loom beadweak
	Beggar Beads  Large, irregular or baroque semi-precious beads, often consisting of varieties of agate and/or quartz.
	Bell cap  A type of bead cap made of solid metal rather than filigree, and often more oblong shaped to cap the end of tall narrow beads.
	Beryl  Beryl (beryllium aluminum cyclosilicate) is the name of a family of stones that includes Emerald, Bixbite, Aquamarine, Morganite, Goshenite, Golden Beryl, Heliodor, and Honey Yellow Beryl. It is found in a variety of colors and is quite durable (except emerald). Pure Beryl is colorless, but it is often tinted by impurities, giving you the gemstones listed above. Beryl is found in many parts of Europe, the United States, and other parts of the world. More about Beryl
	Bezel  A type of setting where a stone is encircled with a metal rim. You can also make a "beaded bezel", for instance to surround the edges of a cabochon. Contrast with chaton setting.
	Bicone  A type of bead that looks like two pyramids or cones stuck together at their bases.
	Black moonstone  A misnomer for a dark labradorite with a bluish play of colour.
	Bloodstone  Bloodstone is a green variety of chalcedony with red inclusions that give it its name. It is found in different parts of the world, but most often in India. Its mineral name is heliotrope. It was the original birthstone for March and is believed to be an excellent blood cleanser. More about Bloodstone
	Bolo  A bolo tie can be made from a piece of cord, string, or braided leather fashioned into a necktie. It is fastened at the throat with decorative tips or an ornamental clasp. The two ends of the cord are threaded through the clasp so they are held in parallel, with the tips meeting each other evenly at the base. The clasp can be placed higher or lower in position on the chest, as the wearer prefers.
	Bolt ring  Another name for a spring ring clasp.
	Braid  A form of a weave that includes strands of material folded over one another to make a thicker cord. Wire, cord, or leather can be braided to make jewelry.
	Brass  An alloy of copper and zinc. Its malleability makes it easy to mold and it can also be worked "cold". Brass wire give a distinctive color to pieces. Brass beads are sometimes plated with silver, gold or other precious metals. Different techniques are used to colorize brass beads including oxidation and polishing. The finest brass beads are imported from Africa or Asia.
	Brick Stitch  A beadweaving stitch made with seed beads which looks like bricks stacked on top of each other. Often used in triangular fringed earrings. Looks somewhat like peyote stitch sideways, although they are made differently. More about Brick Stitch
	Briolette  Teardrop or pear-shaped bead or gemstone. Can be faceted or smooth. Buy Briolette Teardrop Earrings
	Bugle Beads  Bugle beads are thin tubular shaped glass beads manufactured in lengths from 2 millimeters to 35 millimeters and a width of 1-2 mm. Bugle beads can be threaded into jewelery or glued to fabric as decoration. These beads can be used to great effect in cascading style necklaces. Necklaces consisting purely of silver bugle beads are sometimes called liquid silver.
	Bullion  Also known as French Wire or Gimp. This is a very finely coiled wire that forms a flexible tube like a spring. It is used for finishing the ends of strung jewelry pieces. It is threaded over the cord to cover it where it is normally exposed, such as where the cord goes through the loop on the clasp at the ends of the piece. It gives a professional look and protects the bead cord from fraying from exposure. The downside is that it tends to wear rather quickly itself, so it is good for fancy jewelry that you don't wear often. Learn how to use it.

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