Delicas are a specific bead made by world famous Miyuki, Japan's oldest seed bead producer. They are cylindrical in shape with a large hole that allows multiple passes of thread through each bead and can be purchased in a vast array of colors and finishes.
Size 11 is the most popular size of the Delica beads with 944 different colors, finishes and treatments in the round cylinders plus approximately 55 more in the hex cuts, which are hexagon shaped cylinders. The many variations are obtained by specific glass treatments. There is basic transparent glass, basic opaque glass, and etched glass for a matte or semi-matte effect. Then there are the many different colored glasses.
Also there is a variety of finishes or treatments. "Treatment" refers to something that is done on the surface of the glass and can be on the top, often within the hole and in some instances one finish on the top and a different finish in the hole. Treatments can include a clear "rainbow" or "aurora borealis" finish, a "pearl" finish, colored dyes, and many types of metal coatings including precious metals. Some Delica beads have more than one treatment applied to them in order to produce the desired effect.
Note that there may be durability concerns with some of the finishes such as the dyed or galvanized beads. The best suppliers will be able to supply you with the durability information.
Miyuki also makes a size 10 Delica that is slightly larger, a size 8 that is a lot larger than the size 11, and a size 15 that is much smaller. The size 10 and 15 are relatively new and therefore don't come in as as big a variety of colors and finishes as the size 11.
The quality of Miyuki's Delica beads is very high and therefore they are more expensive. You must acquire them from a reputable bead retailer that sells the genuine article. Be aware that some suppliers have been known to obtain cheaper, lower quality beads from another manufacturer and pass them off as Delicas. Also be very careful if you are tempted to buy at an on-line auction.
If you are getting your beads to complete a pattern that gives you the Delica number, such as DB-010, you shouldn't have a problem because every color has a number. But if you are buying your beads by color name you may have a problem, as there is not a standard color description for each bead. The reason is that the Japanese description does not translate readily into English and the different importers each have their own interpretation. So it's always best to go by the DB- number.
Genuine Delica beads are a great choice in any Loom, Peyote or Brick project because they are so uniform. They make any pattern line up perfectly and give a clean, crisp finish to your project. There are fewer culls when you are working and therefore they are more cost effective than their price might indicate. And the color and finish selection is fantastic!
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