Line vs Finish: a Friendly Canadian Guide to Preciosa 10/0 Seed Beads
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Line vs Finish: let’s talk frankly—with a little kick
You open a product page and see: Opaque, Terra, Iris, Ceylon… Looks like a hipster barista menu, right? Settle in, grab a coffee—we’re about to make “bead jargon” as easy as your favourite hoodie.
In short:
Line — what kind of glass the bead is “mixed” from and where the colour lives (in the glass mass, inside the hole, or on a protected base).
Finish — the surface effect: gloss, rainbow (AB), pearly, matte, and other little “wonders of the world” on top.
Choosing formula: Line = foundation ➝ Finish = personality (a.k.a. the bead’s mood).
What is a LINE — the foundation, the DNA, and a bit of magic
Line defines the base colour and the bead’s “construction”: is it a solid colour, a transparent “wash,” is there inner colour lining, and how well will it handle your shop-till-you-drop projects.
Lines you’ll meet in our shop
Classic / Base
A clean base without tricks. Like a white shirt: suits everyone, always, and with anything. (And yes, it saves the day when it’s “no idea what to wear—grabbing this.”)
Opaque
Solid colour throughout the glass. Patterns read clearly—like subtitles on your favourite show. Ideal for beginners and perfectionists.
Transparent / Crystal
A clear base: light passes through, depth appears. The bead is like a mini stained-glass window—glows without glare; pairs beautifully with inner linings.
Chalk / Alabaster
A “milky” base—soft, porcelain look. Paired with pearly finishes it gives “vintage without mothballs”: gentle and refined.
Dyed / Chalk-Colour-Dyed
A dyed base: bright and juicy. Needs gentle care (no harsh chemicals or lengthy spa-soaks). Like silk: wash gently—everyone’s happy.
Solgel
A protective colour system for nudes and pastels, applied to different bases (crystal, chalk, silver-lined, etc.). In simple terms: colour “in a flak jacket.” Tolerates sweat/friction and keeps its good looks—perfect for everyday wear.
Terra / Terra-Colours / Terra Intensive
A family of durable shades for active wear. Intensive = even richer. These guys basically live at the gym: tough and toned.
PermaLux
Stable “metallic” palettes without actual metal. Want “metal” without the fuss? Get the effect and keep glass practicality.
Inner lining (Lining) — colour inside the hole
Silver-Lined, Copper-Lined, White-Lined / White Lining, Colour-Lined, Pearl Pastel Lining
Inside the hole sits a silver/copper/white/colour lining. Result: inner glow, a contrast rim, or a soft pastel halo. Short version—like a tiny night-light switched on inside every bead.
Care: don’t scratch the hole with hard wire; silver dislikes sulphur and harsh chemicals.
What is a FINISH — makeup, stage lights, and personality
Finish is the surface: it adds gloss, matte, rainbow (AB), or pearl. This is the instant “wow” or the calm “minimalism” you notice right away.
Finishes we carry
Glossy
Polished glass surface. Clean, honest shine. Like a freshly wiped mirror—only your mood is reflected.
Matte (Frosted) / Opaque-Matte
Micro-texture. Anti-glare and “velvet.” Photos behave; patterns read like a good textbook font (not a boring one, promise).
Luster
A clear “glaze.” Gives a ceramic, tidy shine—“boutique-luxe” without the attitude.
Metallic
Mirror-like metallic effect. For “I’m the star here” accents. Occasional self-admiration in reflections is normal—don’t be shy.
Iris
A metallized chameleon: green, indigo, bronze—in turn. If you ask “what colour today?” it answers “yes.”
Rainbow (AB)
An interference, iridescent veil. Gently lifts the base colour; on matte lines—especially delicate. A filter without the filter.
Pearlized / Ceylon
Silky pearlescence. For pastel and wedding stories. “Peaches-and-cream,” without the sugar rush.
How to quickly tell line from line and finish from finish
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Opaque ↔ Transparent: solid paint vs glassy watercolour.
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Chalk/Alabaster: milky softness.
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Solgel/Terra/PermaLux: the beacon word is durability.
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The suffix …-Lined: colour/lining inside the hole.
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Glossy ↔ Matte: shine or “velvet.”
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Luster/Metallic/Iris/AB/Ceylon: pick your glow—glaze, mirror, chameleon, iridescent veil, or pearl.
Quick recipes (so you spend more time making than thinking)
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Crisp geometry: Opaque + Matte. The pattern stays put; photos won’t wrestle with glare.
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Sparkly fringe/tassels: Transparent + Silver-Lined + AB. Heads-up: sunbeams may stick around.
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Gentle vintage: Chalk + Ceylon + Luster. “Vintage with a good therapist”: calm and well-groomed.
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Everyday durability: Solgel or Terra (incl. Intensive). Survives the office, the market, and a spontaneous “let’s go.”
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Evening gradient: Opaque Navy → Iris/Metallic → Luster Dark Green. Candles optional, compliments guaranteed.
Care—short and sweet
Inner linings (…-Lined) need protection from scratches in the hole; silver dislikes sulphur and aggressive cleaners. Surface finishes (Luster/Metallic/Iris/AB/Ceylon) prefer soft storage and gentle cleaning. Chlorine—nope; a soft pouch—yes.