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Delicas are a specific bead made by world famous Miyuki, Japan's oldest seed bead producer. They are cylindrical in shape with a big hole that allows several passes of thread through each bead and can be had in a vast array of colors and finishes.

Size 11 is the most popular size of the Delica beads with 944 selections of colors, finishes and treatments in the round cylinders plus approximately 55 more in the hex cuts, which are hexagon shaped cylinders. The diverse variations are produced by particular 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 are many different finishes or treatments. "Treatment" refers to something that is applied onto the surface of the glass and can be on the top, often within the hole and sometimes one finish on the top and an alternate finish in the hole. Treatments can include a clear "rainbow" or "aurora borealis" finish, a "pearl" finish, colored dyes, and an array of metal coatings such as precious metals. Some Delica beads have more than one treatment applied to them in order to produce the desired effect.

Note that there could 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 data.

Miyuki also produces a size 10 Delica that is somewhat larger, a size 8 that is much 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 many colors and finishes as the size 11.

Miyuki's Delica beads are of very high quality and therefore they are more expensive. You must acquire them from a well respected bead store that sells the authentic article. You should be aware that some retailers have been known to buy less expensive, lower quality beads from another manufacturer and pass them off as Delicas. Also be very wary if you are tempted to buy at an on-line auction.

If you are getting your beads to finish a pattern that provides you with the Delica number, such as DB-010, you should have no problem due to the fact that each color has a number. But if you are selecting your beads by color name you may have a problem, as there is not a standard color description for each bead. The reason being 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.

Real Delica beads are an excellent choice in any Loom, Peyote or Brick project due to the fact that they are so regular. They make any pattern line up perfectly and give a clean, crisp finish to your beadwork. 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 range is fantastic!