Review of Popular Bead Coatings and their Durability

This is an experience far too many of us have had. While it is impossible to predict exactly how each particular coating will wear over time, there are some finishes that have a better track record than others. I recently conducted an experiment of my own to test the durability of some of the popular coatings in both Czech Glass and Miyuki Seed Beads.

I began by selecting a number of colors of DiscDuo bead. I selected this bead for it’s flat surface. This allows for more of the bead to have contact with my skin allowing for maximum wear. I also selected Duracoat Galvanized Champagne and Galvanized Dusty Mauve to test the durability of Galvanized compared to Duracoat Galvanized.

I used peyote stitch to create my project. Using 4 of each color DiscDuo, I worked my pattern keeping each set of 4 together. This allowed the color blocks to be compared easily from week to week. The Miyuki seed beads were alternated in stripes at the beginning and end of my project and throughout the peyote stitch. The length of the experiment ran for 30 days, wearing the bracelet about 5 days per week (and occasionally in the shower).

After the 30 days were up, I documented the bracelet for the last time. I compiled the photos that best showed the progress over time.

Colors listed in the left column show the most wear at that specific stage.

1. Capri Gold Full: This finish, on a jet color bead in this case, wore off the fastest of all the colors tested. After only 2 days of wear, it was obvious that is was coming off quickly. After the 30 day mark, almost all of the coating was off on the side of the bracelet that had been worn facing my skin.

2. Amber: Amber's change was less noticeable since it was over a crystal bead and the contrast was less striking. The wear was slightly less than the Capri Gold, but still showing signs of wear at day 2.

3. Sunset: Crystal Sunset was the third color to start showing signs of wear. Similar to the Capri Gold and Amber, it was almost completely gone from some beads at the end of 30 days.

4. Crystal Sliperit Matted: It was a surprise to me that this color wore off as much as it did. The other matte color I used, Vitrail Matte, did not show any signs of wear. At the end of 30 days, the color seemed to have rubbed off the surface, but some had remained in the crevices of the textured (matted) surface.

5. Aztec Gold: The previous colors mentioned seemed to gently rub off over time, however the Aztec Gold was more susceptible to getting scratches. At the end of my experiment, there was some noticeable wear from rubbing against my skin, but very little in comparison to Capri Gold, Amber, or Sunset.

While there are many factors that play into how well the finish of a bead will hold up over time, you don't have to feel completely helpless when you select the colors for your next project. My experiment showed that some colors were very resistant to wear. Coatings that appear thicker and slightly matted tend to hold up well, like the Pastel Light Green, Aztec Gold, and Metallic Violet. The Azuro, Marea, and Hematite coatings also held up very well. Lusters, represented by Teal and Lila Vega, did fairly well, too.

Keep in mind that it isn't only the coating itself that is the cause of discoloration or wear. Other factors may include:

1. The amount of moisture to which the beads are exposed
2. Your skins pH balance
3. Conditions in which the jewelry is stored when not worn
4. Exposure to sharp edges (like keys in your purse)
5. Topical skin creams and make up you use
6. Exposure to cleaning chemicals

Every person is different, just as every coating is different. The chemical ingredients in each coating react in their own way to all these outside influences. No one can predict how well a coating will wear over time, but you can learn from your own experience and reduce the wear to which your jewelry is exposed.

For those of you who want to reduce the risk of wear and discoloration to 0%, plain opaque or transparent colors are the way to go. The color in these beads is not on the surface, but in the glass used to make the bead. If the bead is cracked in two, the color will be the same all the way through. All beads start out as a transparent or opaque color, but some have coatings applied to the outside.

Right to Left: Red, Op Turquoise, Amber, Op Blue, Violet, Op Jade

In an upcoming blog, you'll learn more about the Czech coatings from a scientific point of view. There are a few different processes that are used as well as an array of chemicals used. Don't worry - there wont be a test later :) Understanding the meticulous, lengthy process each bead has to go through will give you a better appreciation of the final product.

Happy Beading!

-Anna Taylor