Most Common Units of Measure Industry units

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