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Why the Right Bead Cord Makes All the Difference
Choosing the correct bead cord is not a secondary consideration in jewellery making, it is the structural heart of every piece. Whether you are stringing a fine pearl necklace intended to last decades, knotting a bracelet for a client, or creating your first beaded design at home, the bead stringing cord you select will determine the longevity, security, and finished appearance of your work.
Built on Over 150 Years of German Craftsmanship
At GRIFFIN, we have been producing professional bead stringing materials in Pforzheim, Germany since 1866. Over five generations, our family-owned company has refined its understanding of what jewellers and designers need from a cord: consistent diameter, reliable knot security, resistance to wear, and a finish that complements the materials it carries. This guide brings together that accumulated knowledge to help you make confident, informed choices - whether you are selecting cord for the first time or refining your established practice.
Natural Silk Bead Cord - The Material Behind Every Great Pearl Necklace
Silk cord for beading has been the material of choice for pearl necklaces and fine knotted jewellery for well over a century, and for good reason. Natural silk, when properly twisted, offers a softness and drape that synthetic alternatives struggle to replicate. It sits gently against the skin, complements the lustre of pearls, and accepts knots cleanly - a critical property when each knot must sit firmly between individual beads to protect them from friction and loss.
Filament Silk, Triple Twisted - and Why That Matters to Your Work
GRIFFIN's 100% natural silk bead cord is produced from premium filament silk taken from the centre of the cocoon - the strongest, most consistent part of the fibre. It is triple twisted using a Z-Twist direction, a technique that locks the fibres together and prevents fraying at the ends, even under repeated handling. This triple twist is the same configuration GRIFFIN pioneered when the company first developed silk cord for the jewellery trade in the 1860s, and it remains the defining characteristic of our cord today.
The cord is available in 13 sizes (No. 0–16, ranging from 0.3 mm to 1.05 mm in diameter) and 21 natural colours, along with newer rainbow and neon variations. Each card comes with one pre-attached twisted wire needle - two needles are available in white - so that stringing can begin immediately without any additional preparation. All colours are dyed using ecological processes.
Getting the Fit Right: Sizes, Colours, and Needle Options Explained
Selecting the correct size of silk string for beading depends primarily on the diameter of the bead holes you are working with. The cord should pass through each bead hole twice - once on the initial pass and once when forming a knot - while still allowing the bead to move freely. A cord that is too thin will allow beads to slide over knots; one that is too thick will not pass through at all. As a general principle, the cord should fill approximately two-thirds to three-quarters of the bead hole diameter.
Nylon Bead Cord - Versatility and Strength for Modern Jewellery
Not every project calls for natural silk. Nylon bead cord offers a range of properties that make it suitable for a wide variety of applications, from contemporary knotted designs to pieces incorporating heavier stones or beads with wider holes.
NylonPower Cord: Twice the Strength, Without Losing the Silk-Like Feel
GRIFFIN's Nylon Power Bead Cord is engineered to provide twice the break strength of ordinary nylon cord while retaining a soft, smooth surface and a silken sheen. It stretches between 3 and 4 per cent under tension - enough to absorb impact and reduce the risk of snapping, but not so much that knot placement becomes imprecise. Like our silk cord, it is triple twisted with a Z-Twist direction, which means it holds knots securely and does not fray during use.
Nylon Power is available in the same 13 sizes and 21 colours as our silk cord, making it a straightforward substitution for those who prefer a vegan alternative or who require greater durability in their finished pieces. It is an especially practical choice for jewellers working with beads that have slightly rougher internal surfaces, where silk fibres might be subject to accelerated wear.
High Performance Cord: The Choice When Breakage Is Not an Option
For applications where standard cord strength is not sufficient - particularly when stringing heavy semi-precious stone beads or creating pieces that will be subject to significant everyday stress - GRIFFIN's High Performance Cord offers a considerable step up. Constructed from high-tenacity fibres that are 15 times stronger than steel by weight, this cord cannot be broken by hand under normal conditions.
Despite this extraordinary tensile strength, High Performance Cord retains the triple twisted direction and smooth surface that characterises all GRIFFIN bead cords. It is available in white in 10 sizes (No. 0–10), making it suitable for a broad range of bead hole diameters.
Elastic Bead Cord: 200% Stretch, Full Recovery - What Makes Stretch Magic Different
How Elastic Cord Works and When to Use It
Elastic bead cord - also referred to as stretch cord - serves a specific and valuable function in jewellery making: it allows bracelets and similar pieces to be slipped on and off without a clasp, reducing complexity and making designs more accessible to a wider range of wearers. GRIFFIN's Jewellery Elastic Cord (Stretch Magic) is produced from TPU (thermoplastic polyurethane). This material provides a guaranteed 200 per cent strength alongside excellent resilience - meaning it reliably returns to its original length after each use.
The cord is available in three diameters (0.5 mm, 0.7 mm, and 1.0 mm) and six colours, including transparent, which is suitable for use with beads of any colour. It is particularly well suited to bead and cord bracelet designs intended for children or for clients who prefer easy-wear jewellery.
Braided and Woven Cords - When Your Design Needs More Than a Standard Thread
Braided Nylon Cord: Built for Macramé, Shamballa, and Anything in Between
For designs that demand a textured surface - macramé, Shamballa-style bracelets, or pieces incorporating large-holed beads and precious stones - GRIFFIN's Braided Nylon Cord provides a robust, kernmantle-direction beaded cord that is both extremely durable and pleasant against the skin. Its ends can be sealed by gentle melting, eliminating the need for additional finishing. It is REACH certified and available in 20 colours across six diameters (0.3 mm to 2.0 mm).
Illusion Cord: How to Make Gemstones Look Like They're Floating
Illusion cord is a transparent, high-tenacity nylon thread used to create the visual effect of beads or gemstones suspended in mid-air - the so-called "floating" necklace. GRIFFIN's Illusion Cord is available in seven diameters (0.15 mm to 0.6 mm) and is sufficiently strong for use with small to medium gemstones, as well as in bead embroidery and peyote stitch applications.
Not Sure Which Cord to Choose? Start Here
The Bead Hole Test - The Simplest Way to Get the Size Right
The most reliable method for selecting bead cord size is to pass a sample of cord through the bead hole before beginning a project. The cord should move freely but should not rattle or shift excessively. When knotting between beads, the knot must be large enough to prevent the bead from sliding over it - which is another reason why triple twisted cords, which hold their structure under tension, are recommended for professional knotted work.
Weight, Flexibility, Finish - Why Each One Affects How Long Your Piece Lasts
Heavier beads require a cord with higher tensile strength and, ideally, some degree of elasticity to absorb the dynamic loads placed on a necklace or bracelet during wear. Lighter, more delicate beads - seed beads, rocailles, freshwater pearls - are generally best served by fine silk or nylon cord that complements their scale without adding unnecessary bulk. The surface finish of the cord also matters: a smooth, polished surface reduces friction inside bead holes, extending the life of both the cord and the bead.
Why Jewellers Have Trusted the Same Cord direction for 158 Years?
GRIFFIN was founded in Pforzheim - a city long recognised as the centre of the German jewellery trade - with the explicit purpose of providing professional jewellers with stringing materials they could rely on. The triple twisted silk cord with attached needle, which remains our flagship product today, was developed in those early years and has since become a standard reference point for quality in the industry.
Five generations later, that founding commitment to precision, material integrity, and professional utility continues to shape every product we manufacture. Whether you are restringing a family heirloom, establishing a jewellery repair practice, or experimenting with new designs, the right bead stringing cord is available - produced to the standards that jewellers worldwide have trusted for over 158 years.
FAQs
What is the best bead stringing cord for pearl necklaces?
Natural silk bead cord remains the professional standard for stringing pearls. GRIFFIN's triple twisted silk cord - produced since 1866 - accepts knots securely between each pearl, protects against friction, and provides the soft drape suited to fine pearl jewellery.
What is the difference between silk cord and nylon bead cord for beading?
Silk cord for beading offers natural softness and elegant drape, making it ideal for pearls and heirloom pieces. Nylon bead cord, such as GRIFFIN NylonPower, provides greater resistance to moisture and abrasion, and is a practical vegan alternative with comparable knot performance.
How do I choose the correct bead cord size for my beads?
The cord should pass through the bead hole twice - once to string and once to knot - while still moving freely. As a guideline, the cord diameter should fill approximately two-thirds of the bead hole. GRIFFIN offers 13 sizes from 0.3 mm to 1.05 mm to cover virtually every bead type.
When should I use elastic bead cord instead of silk or nylon?
Elastic bead cord is best suited to bracelets and bead and cord bracelet designs where no clasp is needed. GRIFFIN's Stretch Magic cord stretches up to 200 per cent and returns to shape reliably, making it well suited to children's jewellery and easy-wear everyday pieces.
Are GRIFFIN bead cords suitable for professional jewellery studios?
Yes. GRIFFIN bead stringing cords are used by professional jewellers, pearl stringers, and repair specialists worldwide. The range is manufactured in Germany to precise tolerances, with relevant products carrying REACH certification, and the triple twisted direction has been trusted in professional settings since the company's founding in 1866.
