Delica vs. Miyuki Seed Beads: How to Choose the Perfect Bead for Your Beadwork

Not all beads are created equal — and if you bead, you *know*. At Sundaylace Creations, we hear this question all the time:
“Should I use Delicas or Miyuki seed beads?”

The truth is, both are incredible, but they shine in different ways. Whether you’re making powwow regalia, floral medallions, loom beadwork, or fringe earrings, choosing the right bead can make or break your design.

Let’s break it down, beader-to-beader 🪡💜:

What Are Miyuki 11/0 Seed Beads?

Miyuki seed beads (22g) are tiny, rounded glass beads made in Japan, known for their consistent size and beautiful finishes.

Why beaders love them:

• Rounded edges → perfect for florals and traditional beadwork
• Gorgeous finishes → metallics, mattes, transparent, color-lined, AB & more
• Great for fringe earrings, medallions, regalia, and textured designs
• Thousands of color options → you’ll always find the perfect shade!

What Are Miyuki Delica Beads?

Delicas  (5.2g) are precision-cut cylinder beads — like tiny glass tubes — also made in Japan by Miyuki which can be confusing for new beaders.

Why beaders reach for Delicas:

• Their tube shape means beads click together perfectly and are sold in a small tube!
• Ideal for loom work, peyote stitch, brick stitch, and geometric patterns
• Perfect for projects where clean lines and sharp edges are the goal
• Give beadwork a sleek, modern, luxury to look like brick work!

Side-by-Side: Delica vs. Miyuki Seed Beads

Feature	Delica Beads 🟪	Miyuki Seed Beads 🔵
Shape	Cylindrical tubes	Rounded domes
Edges	Straight & sharp	Soft & curved
Finish	Smooth & sleek	Textured & dimensional
Best For	Loom, peyote, geometric beadwork	Florals, medallions, regalia
Vibe	Modern, clean, polished	Traditional, textured, classic

How Beaders Use Them

• Delicas → great for earrings with crisp edges, loomed belts, bead weaving, and clean borders.

• Seed beads → shine in floral work, fringe earrings, powwow regalia, and bead embroidery where texture matters.

Pro tip: Many advanced artists mix both for depth + definition. Use Delicas for structure, seed beads for soft texture — best of both worlds!

THE SIZES however.. not the same next to each other even though they have the same 11/0 size!

Even though both Delicas and Miyuki seed beads are labeled as 11/0, their shapes make them sit differently:

• Delicas are cylindrical and slightly narrower, which means they click together tightly and create clean, flat surfaces.

• Miyuki seed beads are rounder and taller, which gives your beadwork more texture and dimension.

If you’re following a pattern, mixing them in the same row can throw off your design, especially in loom work or peyote stitch where alignment matters.

Sundaylace Creations: Bead Supplies Curated for Beaders

We’re an Indigenous-owned bead store based in Canada, supplying authentic Miyuki beads from Japan to artists across Turtle Island. With over 4,000 beading products, we’re here to help you find exactly what you need — and we bead too, so everything we stock is curated with care.

💜 Bead with a happy heart — shop our full range of Miyuki seed beads and Delica beads today, and create beadwork that tells your story.

📦 Fast Canadian Shipping | Indigenous-Owned | Trusted by Beaders Across Turtle Island