Most Common Units of Measure
The following are units of measure that are used throughout the industry. These convenient measurement are widely used because they easily break down into smaller selling quantities.
Mass = 1,200 pieces
Gross = 144 Pieces
Kilo = 1,000 grams (2.2 pounds)
Incremental Breakdown of 1 mass:
1 mass = 1200 Pieces 1 X 1200
1/2 mass = 600 Pieces 2 X 600
1/4 mass = 300 pieces 4 X 300
1/8 mass = 150 Pieces 8 X 150
1/10 mass = 120 Pieces 10 X 120
One-hundred Dozen = 1200 Pieces 12 X 100
Incremental Breakdown of 1 gross:
1 gross = 144 Pieces 1 X 144
1/2 gross = 72 Pieces 2 X 72
1/12 gross = 1 dozen 12 X 12
Incremental Breakdown of 1 kilo:
1 kilo = 1000 Grams 1 X 1000
1/2 kilo = 500 Grams 2 X 500
1/4 kilo = 250 Grams 4 X 250
1/10 kilo = 100 grams 10 x 100
Stringing
Currently, most Czech glass is strung on cotton string; however, we are in the process of changing our stock over to nylon string to reduce strand breakage and to make it easier for our customers to prepare the beads for resale.
The number of beads per hank changes depending on many factors including size, shape and cost. The following is a general guide to how beads are strung. Bead stringing may vary depending on the batch or factory of origin.
Hank - a broad term used to describe a bundle of strung beads. They quantity of beads and the number of strands per hank varies between styles and sizes.
Number of beads per hank:
Pressed Beads
3mm and some 4mm:
12 strands of 100 beads (1 mass)
4mm to 6mm:
12 strands of 50 pieces = 1/2 mass
8mm or larger:
12 strands of 25 pieces = 1/4 mass
Fire-Polished Beads
3 to 4mm:
12 strands of 50 pieces = 1/2 mass
6mm or larger:
12 strands of 25 pieces = 1/4 mass
The table below shows the typical stringing quantities per minimum order unit for a given item. Please note that not all beads adhere to the typical standard.
Order Increment |
Beads per Strand |
Strands per Mass |
1/4 Mass |
25 |
48 |
1/2 Mass |
50 |
24 |
1 Mass |
100 |
12 |
Items that are not sold by piece and contain beads of varying sizes are usually sold in hanks of 6, 16 inch long strands.
TOHO Seed Bead Quantities per Kilo and Gram
The table below shows the approximate counts of each TOHO seed bead size by weight in gram and kilo. Due to variations in weight and finished bead size, these measurements are approximate.
Style |
Beads per Gram |
Strands per Kilo |
Bugle #1 |
80 |
80,000 |
Bugle #2 |
22 |
22,000 |
Twisted Bugle |
15 |
15,000 |
Cube 1.5mm |
109 |
109,000 |
Cube 3mm |
20 |
20,000 |
Cube 4mm |
9 |
9,000 |
Triangle 8/0 |
26 |
26,000 |
Triangle 11/0 |
65 |
65,000 |
Hex 8/0 |
43 |
43,000 |
Hex 11/0 |
86 |
86,000 |
Round 3/0 |
6 |
6,000 |
Round 6/0 |
16 |
16,000 |
Round 8/0 |
48 |
48,000 |
Round 11/0 |
110 |
110,000 |
Round 15/0 |
286 |
286,000 |
Treasure #1 |
172 |
172,000 |
Charlottes 15/0 |
222 |
222,000 |
Magatamas 3mm |
33 |
33,000 |
Takumi Large Hole 11/0 |
124 |
124,000 |