Following on from our previous Bead of the Week post, this week…
Meet the Aqua Faceted Glass Beads.
If you’re after a colour that just pops, this is it. Unlike AB or iridescent finishes that shift in the light, the opaque aquamarine finish is solid, vivid and confident — a clean blue-green that holds its colour at every angle. It’s the kind of bead that doesn’t need any help. It does the work for you.
And the quality is exactly what you’d expect from us. For £2.50 a string, you’re getting a 38cm strand of beautifully cut rondelle-shaped glass with a consistent, smooth finish throughout. We don’t stock anything we wouldn’t use ourselves, and these passed the test easily.
Three sizes to suit every project
These come in three sizes so you can pick the right scale for your design:
- 4x6mm (approx. 100 beads) — the sweet spot for most jewellery projects
- 6x8mm (approx. 66 beads) — a chunkier statement bead, great as a feature or focal
What can you make with them?
These beads are incredibly versatile, but three styles really stand out:
Coastal & beach-inspired jewellery — Aqua is one of those colours that just belongs by the sea. Whether you’re making holiday jewellery, gifts for a summer festival, or pieces to wear on warm evenings, these beads nail that sun-and-saltwater mood. They pair beautifully with gold-tone findings, white shell beads, and natural cord for a relaxed coastal look that never feels try-hard.
Stacked stretch bracelets — Because the finish is opaque rather than iridescent, the colour is bold and clean — which makes these ideal for building stacked bracelet sets. Mix them with navy, coral, white or turquoise beads for a co-ordinated set, or keep it simple with a single-colour stretch band that lets the aqua do the talking. The 0.7–0.9mm hole takes standard elastic cord without any fuss.
Statement drop earrings — The 6x8mm size really earns its place here. A clean, vivid aqua bead against a silver or gold earwire is an instant earring — no fussy extras needed. For something more layered, combine the sizes on a headpin with a pearl or a small metal cap. The opaque finish means the colour holds its own at any angle, rather than disappearing in low light the way a translucent bead can.
Our verdict
Exceptional quality, two versatile sizes — all for £2.50 a string. These are the kind of beads you order once and immediately reorder. Whether you’re a seasoned maker or just starting out, Aqua Faceted Glass Beads are a brilliant staple to have on hand.
We’d love to see what you make! Tag us on Instagram @abacusbeadsni with your finished pieces.