Product Department

Finishing with Beadcaps and Cones

Finishing beaded jewelry projects can be a complex process and if you are going to use beadcaps or cones it is important to use them properly to create a beautiful finish.

First - what is the difference between a cone and a beadcap? Technically, a cone is is longer than wide, and tends to look like an ice cream cone. Bead caps are not very deep, they are made to cup around a bead. They come in different sizes and shapes, so it is imprtant to make sure the finding fits your beads.

                

12x9mm bead cone 4x8mm bead cap

A bead cap can stabilize a bead or just provide an accent to it.

 

 

Additionally, a bead cap can provide an ending to a necklace or bracelet. Make sure the beadcap is securely fastened to the jewelry and the clasp so there are no gaps.

 

 

Bead cones are a nice way of finishing multi-strand strung jewelry or tubular woven jewelry. With multi-strand pieces you can crimp your wire or tie off your fireline onto an eyepin. Make sure that the beads are close enough to the eyepin that when you slip the cone over the eyepin, the crimps or knots will not be visible.

 

Strands crimped through an eyepin

 

Bead cone slid over the eyepin still reveals crimp on multi-strands

 

Bead cone completed with wire-wrapped loop. A clasp can be attached with a jump ring.

You can see a little bead added between the cone and the wrapped loop for a more finished look.

 

And why stop there? Get creative! a bead cone can even be used to create an earring!

 

Look at this Christmas cutie!