Glass Seed Beads

Choose Czech, French, German & Italian Seed Beads

Glass seed beads are the small beads used for detailed Native American beadwork, loom weaving, edgework, appliqué, and jewelry. Shop Czech seed beads, French regular-color seed beads, French old-time-color seed beads, German old-time seed beads, and Italian old-stock seed beads according to the sizes, finishes, and colors needed for your project.

This category brings the seed-bead families together; each linked subcategory describes its own assortment rather than repeating a general bead catalog introduction. For perspective on historical use and changing color preferences, read Seed Bead History and Use by Native American Tribes (opens in a new tab).

+ Read more about seed bead sizes, hanks & techniques   [Click again to hide]

Understanding Seed Bead Sizes

Seed-bead sizes are commonly expressed as 8/0, 10/0, 11/0, 12/0, and smaller sizes. In general, a higher number indicates a smaller bead, but dimensions can vary by manufacturer and production lot. Check the individual product listing when matching existing beadwork or working to a specific pattern.

Loose Beads and Strung Hanks

Some assortments are sold loose by weight; others are offered prestrung in hanks. Choose the format that fits your stitching or stringing workflow. For technique guidance, see Selecting Needles and Thread for Beadwork and Using an Adjustable Bead Loom (both open in new tabs).

Seed Beads: Czech Seed Beads: Czech
Seed Beads: French Old Stock Seed Beads: French Old Stock
Seed Beads: French Old Time Seed Beads: French Old Time
Seed Beads: German Old Time Seed Beads: German Old Time
Seed Beads: Italian Old Stock Seed Beads: Italian Old Stock

Typical Tribal Colors

The use of colors in beadwork varies widely between the many different tribes. The following is a list of colors used by tribes we are frequently asked about.

Sioux White or Light Blue; Dark Red or Greasy Yellow, but seldom Dark Navy Blue, Royal Blue, Medium Blue (Periwinkle), Medium Green, Dark Green, White-lined Red, White-lined Rose, Greasy Yellow
Cheyenne White, almost exclusively Light Turquoise Blue, Dark Blue, Medium Mint Green, Dark Transparent Green, Pink, White-lined Rose (replaced by Red in later times), Corn Yellow, Orange, and limited Black
Crow Light Blue, some Lavender, seldom Red, White, Pink (lavender), Light Blue, Dark Blue, Yellow, Green
Comanche White; occasionally Pony Trader Blue or Dark Transparent Red Dark Red, Dark Transparent Red, Navy Blue, Pony Trader Blue, Turquoise Blue, occasionally Greasy Yellow, White-lined Red, and Light Green
Seed Bead History and Use by Native American Tribes

Seed Bead History and Use by Native American Tribes

The purpose of this article is to provide a thumbnail sketch of the history of one of the most popular trade items used in Native American craftwork. The use of the “seed bead” by Native Americans beginning in the 1800s was the result of hundreds of years of European glass technology intersecting with the westward expansion of the United States across the continent.
Trace Seed Bead History & Native Use >>

Native American Tribal Bead Color Preferences

Native American Tribal Bead Color Preferences

The use of colors by Indian beadworkers varies widely among the many different tribes throughout the U.S. & Canada. These are general guidelines for some of the better known beadworking tribes. Many exceptions to this can be found, but this provides a basis for staying within the traditions for these tribes. One should also be aware that many variations of hues existed within given shades of colors, and these varied from factory to factory as well as in different lots from the same factory.
Explore Tribal Bead Color Traditions >>