About RETAIL
About Our Beads
On November 3, 1951, in Hiroshima, Japan the TOHO Beads company was founded and is the #1 glass bead maker in the world, their focus is on consistency and quality, with the respect, cooperation, and understanding of clients around the world. Every year since the company strives to improve techniques and designs. Being creative is not limited to techniques and designs TOHO thinks outside the box and makes new equipment plus adding facilities to continue to develop new bead sizes, shapes and protective finishes.
Learn more below about bead shapes, color, sizes, as well as available options for lined and finishes.
Bobby Bead has been directly importing TOHO beads since 2001 under the guidance and wisdom of Bobby Bead’s President, Robert Sorenson an artist, husband, and father; coupled with the amazingly knowable employees. It’s easy to see why they are proud of their hard work and determination that has resulted in a reputation of being one of largest retail and wholesalers with an impressive selections of TOHO beads in the USA.
More about Beads
Bead Shapes
We have lots of different shape for you to use in your next project.
Bead Colors
We've got you covered with colors, way more colors than the rainbow!
Bead Sizes
Little Beads, Medium Beads, Large Beads, and everything in between.
Bead Lined & Finishes
Learn about the shimmer, shine, and the inside options of beads.
Bead Shapes
Quality is important, that is why Bobby Bead solely import TOHO Japanese Seed Beads furthermore they are of the highest quality in precision craftsmanship with consistency of color, size and shape. You’ll love the quality PermaFinish coatings enabling you to bring your bead design visions to life.
Round Seed beads by TOHO are more doughnut in shape, consistent in size, and have larger holes compared to other beads on the market.
TOHO Round beads are available in sizes: 15/o, 11/o, 8/o, 6/o.
15/o Round is 1.5mm in diameter and is a delicate bead made of highest quality.
11/o Round is 2.2mm in diameter and is used for most traditional beaded designs.
8/o Round is 3mm in diameter, great for Kumihimo braiding projects and hole is large enough for most fibers to crochet and knit with.
6/o Round is 4mm in diameter and a 2mm hole. With smooth edges they are easy to work with for a variety of craft projects.
TOHO Round bead Weights:
Size 15/o (286 piece per gram), Size 11/o (110 piece per gram), size 8/o (48 piece per gram), Size 6/o (16 piece per gram).
For some extra sparkle in your beadwork, Bobby Bead carries TOHO Hexagon or 2-Cut beads in size 8/o. The flat sides of the beads nestle together in Peyote stitch, or give an extra sparkle to crochet and knitting projects with their facets.
Weights and measures:
TOHO 8/o Hexagon beads are 3mm in diameter, and 3mm tall, and have a unique Hexagon shaped hole so it is considerable larger than their 8/o round counterpart.
(43 beads per gram)
Proud to be the distributor in the world to carry over 1,000 colors of TOHO AIKO® Precision – Cylinder Beads. The stock numbers for colors of AIKO® beads are the same as regular TOHO beads for all colors so it is easy match with other bead sizes.
The TOHO AIKO® Cylinder bead is the ultimate in precision, in bead size, shape and color uniformity. All AIKO® beads are pre-culled by manufacturer in Japan so all your beads are consistent, and your beading projects will come out perfect every time. Great for structural designs, or when woven together in Peyote stitch the beads lay so seamless your projects feel like fabric.
Weights and measures; TOHO AIKO® Precision – Cylinder Beads are considered to be size 11 cylinder beads, they are 1.5mm in diameter and 1.5mm in height, (160) piece per gram.
Bobby Bead also carries the TOHO AIKO® Precision – Hex-Cut Cylinder Beads in 81 colors, they are the same dimensions as the regular AIKO® bead, but with 6 faceted sides to sparkle up any beaded project.
Cube Seed beads by TOHO are unique with sharp edges and Diamond shape hole for more thread passes. The straight sides enable the beads to nestle together for smooth bases or great for structural designs.
Bobby Bead currently carries 4 sizes of the TOHO Cube beads
TOHO Cube bead “Sizes & Weights”
Available in sizes: 1.5mm, which is similar to size 11/o
2mm, is similar to size 8/o
3mm, is similar size 6/o
4mm, is similar to size 5/o
Weights for size 1.5mm (109 piece per gram), size 2mm (50 piece per gram), size 3mm (20 beads per gram), size 4mm (9 beads per gram)
Demi Round Seed beads by TOHO are the precision thin-cut Complement to the classic round seed beads. It is the same hole size and diameter as their compliment round, but only half as tall creating thin spacer like beads. The versatile Demi shape works flawlessly with all of the popular stitches, and allows artists to create high definition designs with enhanced color depth and detail.
TOHO Demi bead “Sizes & Weights”
Available in sizes: 11/0, 8/0 and 6/o.
Weights for size 11/o (187 piece per gram), size 8/o (80 piece per gram), 6/o (32 beads per gram).
Triangle Seed beads by TOHO are unique in the industry with sharp corners and round hole. They are great for adding a little texture and sparkle to your beading projects, or can create smooth ropes when used in Tubular Herringbone since the points all nestle together in the center of the rope, and the back sides lock into place.
TOHO Triangle Seed bead weights and measures:
Bobby Bead carries size 11/o Triangles, which are 2.2mm in Diameter and height. (65 beads per gram).
Bugle Seed beads are a Cylinder shape bead that is 2mm in diameter, and comes in different lengths from 2mm to 12mm with a uniformly large hole. They are smoothly cut and polished so edges are not sharp and won’t cut threads.
TOHO Bugle Seed bead sizes and weights:
Bobby Bead carries 6 different lengths of TOHO Bugle beads: #.5 (2mm in length and 110 beads per gram), #1 (3mm in length and 80 beads per gram), #1.5 (4.5mm in length and 50 beads per gram), #2 (6mm in length and 22 beads per gram), #3 (9mm in length and 15 beads per gram), and #4(12mm in length that have 9 beads per gram).
Magatama Seed beads by TOHO are uniquely shaped off center drilled bead, with one narrow side and one bubbled side, so when strung it hangs like a drop bead to create fun textural designs. Great for Kumihimo and Crochet and Knitting projects to create depth and dimension.
TOHO Magatama bead sizes and weights that Bobby Bead carries:
3mm, (same diameter and whole size as 8/o Round beads, 33 beads per gram), 4mm, (same diameter and whole size as 6/o Round beads, 14 beads per gram).
Bead Color
When it comes to color that we carry there are just to many to list here. You dream it we most likely have it or close to it! It’s important to know along with color there are three ways our beads come.
Transparent by TOHO come in 39 colors that let the light shine through to see rich radiance of color. They come in Regular shiny Finish, Matte finish, High Luster finish, and Rainbow Finish.
Bobby Bead uses TOHO stock numbers for all of our beads, the basic finish Transparent bead stock numbers are #1-19, 72, and 939-942.
Ceylon-Translucent seed beads by TOHO are almost see-through, like milk glass, they are a little foggy so light bounces around the bead.
Bobby Bead carries a variety colors of Ceylon beads and Ceylon Pearl finish beads. The stock numbers are #141-156 and #901-922, #1141-1151, #1241-1251.
Opaque Seed beads by TOHO are solid color beads, the light will not penetrate through these beads. The regular Opaque finish is slightly shiny, but TOHO also makes Opaque Matte colors, Opaque Luster, and Opaque Rainbow finishes in both shiny and matte.
Bobby Bead carries over 100 colors of your favorite TOHO Opaque beads in size 15/o-6/o to create all of your favorite designs. Basic Opaque color stock numbers are #41-55DF, Lusters #121-133, Rainbows #401-413
The Marbled Opaque colors are stock #1200-1209, More Opaque matte and luster beads stock #1600-#1634F And the Semi-Glazed Opaque colors stock #2600F-2612F, and Semi Glazed Opaque rainbow colors stock #2630F-2642F.
Metallic Seed beads by TOHO will sparkle up any beaded projects, with a wide variety of metal tones, vibrant jewel tones, and Iris blend metallics that are mixed directly with the glass for stable and consistent color.
Bobby Bead carries carries over 100 Metallic colors, we have Shiny metallic colors, Matte metallic colors, Precious metal metallic colors such as Nickel plating, Sterling Silver plating and single and triple dipped 24k gold plating, Higher metallic colors (extra Iris coating) and Permafinish Galvanized metallic coatings.
TOHO metallic beads come in all shapes and sizes for all of your beading needs.
Silk Seed beads by TOHO are a unique Fiberglass type of stranded glass process used to make the TOHO Aiko Cylinder beads and Bugle beads. The satin like look of The TOHO Silk beads give off interesting sheen as the light bounces off the textured surface of the beads enhancing every design they are used in.
Bead Sizes
Beads are the main staple of what we provide to our clients. Here are the sizes we carry and more information to help you through your first and every project.
TOHO Round Beads
15/o Round Seed Beads by TOHO are 1.5mm in Diameter and 1mm tall. They are a doughnut shaped bead. (286 beads per gram)
Bobby Bead stock prefix for 15/o Round beads on websites for stock number lookup is 15T
11/o Round Seed beads by TOHO are 2.2mm in Diameter and 1.8mm tall, they are a doughnut shaped bead. (110 beads per gram)
Bobby Bead carries over 600 colors of TOHO 11/o Round seed beads. the prefix for website stock number search is 11T.
8/o Round Seed beads by TOHO are 3mm in Diameter and 2.4mm in height. They are a doughnut shaped bead. (48 beads per gram)
Bobby Bead stocks over 300 colors of TOHO 8/o Round beads. The prefix to look up stock numbers on websites is 8T.
6/o Round Seed beads by TOHO are 4mm in Diameter and 3mm tall. They are a doughnut shaped seed bead. (16 beads per gram).
Bobby Bead carries about 200 colors of TOHO 6/o Round seed beads, the prefix for stock number is 6T.
TOHO Cube Beads
Cube Seed beads by TOHO are unique with sharp edges and diamond shape hole for more thread passes. The straight sides enable the beads to nestle together for smooth bases or great for structural designs.
The 1.5mm Cube beads are similar to a size 11/o bead.
Bobby Bead currently stocks over 150 colors of 1.5 Cube beads.
Weights for size 1.5mm (109 piece per gram)
2mm Cube Seed Beads by TOHO are similar to size 8/o round bead.
Bobby Bead currently carries over 100 colors of TOHO 2mm Cubes.
Weights for size 2mm Cubes (50 piece per gram)
3mm Cube Seed Beads by TOHO are similar to size 6/o seed bead, so they work great for adding sparkle to crochet and Kitting designs also.
Bobby Bead currently carries 34 colors in 3mm TOHO Cubes.
Weights for size 3mm Cubes, (20 beads per gram)
4mm Cube Seed Beads by TOHO are similar to size 5/o seed bead, so they work great for adding sparkle to crochet and Kitting designs also.
Bobby Bead currently stocks 23 colors in 4mm TOHO Cubes.
Weights for size 4mm Cube (9 beads per gram)
TOHO Bugle Beads
Bugle Round Seed beads by TOHO are a Cylinder shape bead that is 2mm in diameter, with a uniformly large hole. They are smoothly cut and polished so edges are not sharp and won’t cut threads.
The #.5 Bugle is 2mm in length, and so just slightly longer than most Cylinder beads so they also work great for bedazzling around Stones and Crystals.
Bobby Bead currently carries 22 colors of 2mm TOHO Bugles.
Weights for TOHO #.5 Bugle (2mm in length and 110 beads per gram),
3mm Bugle Seed Beads by TOHO are 3mm in diameter, with a uniformly large hole. They are smoothly cut and polished so edges are not sharp and won’t cut threads.
The TOHO #1 Bugle is 3mm in length, great for unique Geometric designs and Fringes.
Bobby Bead currently carries 11 colors of TOHO 3mm Bugles.
Weights for TOHO size #1 Bugle (80 beads per gram)
TOHO Bugle Round beads are a Cylinder shape bead that is 2mm in diameter, with a uniformly large hole. They are smoothly cut and polished so edges are not sharp and won’t cut threads.
The TOHO #1.5 Bugle is 4.5mm in length, great for unique Geometric designs and Fringes.
Bobby Bead currently carries 10 colors of TOHO 4.5mm Bugles.
Weights for TOHO size #1.5 Bugles (50 beads per gram).
TOHO Bugle Round beads are a Cylinder shape bead that is 2mm in diameter, with a uniformly large hole. They are smoothly cut and polished so edges are not sharp and won’t cut threads.
The TOHO #2 Bugle is 6mm in length, great for unique Geometric designs and Fringes.
Bobby Bead currently carries 13 colors of TOHO #2 Bugles.
Weights for TOHO 6mm Bugles (22 beads per gram).
TOHO Bugle Round beads are a Cylinder shape bead that is 2mm in diameter, with a uniformly large hole. They are smoothly cut and polished so edges are not sharp and won’t cut threads.
The TOHO #3 Bugle is 9mm in length, great for unique Geometric designs and Fringes.
Bobby Bead currently carries 40 colors of TOHO #3 Bugles.
Weights for TOHO 9mm Bugles (15 beads per gram).
TOHO Bugle Round beads are a Cylinder shape bead that is 2mm in diameter, with a uniformly large hole. They are smoothly cut and polished so edges are not sharp and won’t cut threads.
The TOHO #4 Bugle is 12mm in length, great for unique Geometric designs and Fringes.
Bobby Bead currently carries 3 colors of TOHO #4 Bugles.
Weights for TOHO 12mm Bugles (9 beads per gram).
Bead Lined & Finishes
Bobby Bead imports a large variety of TOHO beads in many different types of finishes and precious metal and color linings, and several different precious metal and Galvanized plating, and Permanent Finish coatings, so you can create all of your favorite designs.
TOHO Lined Beads
Silver lined beads from TOHO are lined with 925 Sterling Silver inside of Transparent, Transparent Matte, Transparent Rainbow, and Ceylon Opal beads. The silver lining gives off a bright inner glow to core of the beads so that the outer color is brought to life.
Bobby Bead carries TOHO beads in stock numbers for Silver Lined Transparent and Silver Lined Transparent Matte beads run from #21-#39F, and stock numbers for Silver Lined Opal beads run from #PF2100-PF2126.
Precious metal beads are pretty stable finish, but might be susceptible to tarnishing in high humidity or sulfuric atmospheres.
Copper Lined seed beads by TOHO come in many different colors. They have a warm coppery inner glow that enhances the jewel tones of the outer Transparent bead colors.
Bobby Bead carries the entire Copper series in TOHO Aiko Cylinder beads, stock numbers #740-#750, and #860-#866, and a variety of copper lined colors in TOHO size 15/o, and 11/o Rounds.
24k Gold by TOHO are for the utmost in inner shine for their Gold Lined seed beads.
Bobby Bead carries the entire Gold Lined series for you to create those extra special pieces, in TOHO Aiko Cylinder beads, stock numbers #752-759, and #880-886.
Precious metal beads are pretty stable finish, but might be susceptible to tarnishing in high humidity or sulfuric atmospheres.
TOHO has created 2 beautiful Bronze lined series of seed beads, so you can create unique metal tone to designs, with softer outer color shades in jewel tones, matte tones and rainbow tones.
The Light Bronze series of beads and stock numbers run #261-#271, #278 -#279. The Dark Bronze series stock numbers run from #989-#999FM.
Bobby Bead carries both series of Bronze Lined Beads in TOHO Aiko Cylinder beads, 15/o, 11/o, 8/o and 6/o rounds, and a variety of Cubes, Hexes, and Triangles.
The largest selection of lined beads TOHO makes are the color lined beads. TOHO takes the beautiful Transparent, Transparent matte beads, and Ceylon beads, and lines them with Soft Colors, and Bright Colors, which create unique bi-color combinations that give your beadwork a dimensional look that light and color can play off each other.
Bobby Bead carries color lined beads in all shapes and sizes of TOHO seed beads, stock numbers for color lined series are; #242-#252FM, #281-#307, #344-#397, #771-#938, #943-#988, #1007-#1076, #1623F-#1634F, #1800-#1853.
TOHO Finishes
Regular finish is simple shine to the exterior of the bead surface. It is the basic finish on Opaque Beads, Transparent Beads, and Lined Beads.
Matte Finish beads, have a frosted appearance to the exterior of the bead surface. This matte treatment is applied to Opaque Beads, Transparent Beads, Lined Beads, Metallic and PermaFinish beads. The TOHO matte beads usually, but not always, have an “F” or “FM” at the end of the stock number (as in 11T25F or #242FM).
Bobby Bead carries TOHO Matte beads in every size and shape of Beads for your designing needs.
Beautiful full spectrum Rainbow finish or Iris finish that is applied by fuming the colorful Rainbow finish to the exterior of the beads. The Rainbow/Iris finish comes in Transparent Rainbow, Transparent Rainbow Matte, Color Lined Rainbow, Bronze Lined Rainbow, Opaque rainbow, Silver Lined Rainbow, and Metallic Iris, and Metallic Iris Matte, and Semi Glazed Rainbow finish beads.
Bobby Bead carries Rainbow and Iris finish TOHO beads in all shapes and sizes, stock numbers for Transparent Rainbow beads run #161-#189FM, Lined Rainbow beads stock numbers run #245-281, #771-784, #1809-#1853, Opaque rainbow stock numbers #401-#413F, Metallic Iris stock numbers, #501-#515F, #702-710, (Silver Lined rainbow, #21021-2039 discontinued)
Luster shine finish is applied to exterior bead surface that gives the most glossy finish of all. It is applied to transparent beads, stock numbers (#101-#119), Opaque beads, stock numbers (#121-#136), and when applied to Ceylon Beads, (#141-#151), it gives the Pearl Finish we have come to know and love.
Luxurious Gold Luster finish that is fumed to the exterior surface of the TOHO transparent beads. Sometimes it gives the beads a high metallic shine to outside of beads while enhancing the inner Transparent bead color, and sometimes it changes the bead color all together to create unique jewel tones that enriches any design.
The first to create a PermaFinish or (PF) coating that is applied to the Galvanized beads and Silver Lined Opal beads to protect the sensitive colors of dyed beads from from fading in sunlight, and helps the galvanized plating on the beads, so it doesn’t rub off, and chip off with friction from working with and wearing beads.
Bobby Bead carries the entire Permafinish color lines that TOHO produces in size 15/o, 11/o, 8/o, 6/o Rounds, Demi Beads in size 11/o, 8/o, and 6/o, and Aiko Cylinder beads.
All Stock numbers for PermaFinish beads start with PF, such as 11TPF557F. Stock numbers for Galvanized PF beads run #PF551
Recent TOHO added a new series of bead finish is the Semi Glazed Matte and Semi-Glazed Rainbow Matte beads.
They are a unique process to bead finish, that starts with an Opaque Matte Bead, with a slightly tinted Semi-Glazed finish overlay on top of that giving it an eggshell type of finish. It is smooth surface to touch because of the glazing, but remains mostly matte finish, letting the soft hues of the 12 colors in the series to ad dimension to any design.
There is also a Semi-Glazed Rainbow finish, which come in the same base 12 colors only with rainbow finish applied first before the soft matte semi-glazing.
Bobby Bead carries the entire Semi Glazes series of colors stock numbers #2600F-#2642F, in stizes 15/o, 11/o, and 8/o Rounds.
Two unique marbled colored bead series by TOHO have been add to create dimension to your beading projects. The first is a colored marbling process, that starts with Opaque TOHO beads, that rolled around in colored paints to give a marbling of color on top of color to the outside of the bead for a bi-colored bead. Stock Numbers #1200-#1209
The Second is a Gold marbled bead, the process starts with Opaque Beads that rolled in 24k gold, to give the outside of Opaque beads a swirling of gold, for a truly luxurious look. Stock numbers #1700-#1708.
Bobby Bead carries the entire marbled bead series in TOHO AIko cylinder beads.
Precious metal plated beads for those extra special projects.
The Nickel plated bead is #711, it has a beautiful patina to the darker Silver finish to match most real Antique Silver metal finishes in beads and findings.
The Sterling Silver plated beads #714, and it’s matte version #714F, are the brightest of the Silver plated beads to match your Sterling silver beads and findings. Or try out the Argentium #1160 and #1160F for long lasting Sterling silver shine.
For a more colorful blend of Sterling plated try #721 Oceanic metallic blend of cool colors.
TOHO has 2 gold plated beads to choose from, a single dipped 24k plated #715 and #715F, or Triple dipped 24k plated #712 and #712F.
For a more colorful blend of 24K gold plated try #722, with soft hues of gold pink and green to liven up any design.
Bobby Bead carries all TOHO precious metal beads in Aiko cylinder beads and #711, in most rounds, and Demi beads, and usually has in stock in #712, #712F, #714, and #714F in size 15/o and 11/o beads.
Precious metal beads are pretty stable finish, but might be susceptible to tarnishing in high humidity or sulfuric atmospheres.
