Preciosa Bicone Beads

Why choose Preciosa bicone beads?

Preciosa bicones are a staple in our customers’ bead boxes, from professional jewellery makers to crafters trying beading for the first time.

Genuine Preciosa crystal, precision-cut in the Czech Republic for crisp facets and even sizing
A sharp, bright sparkle that works as a feature bead or a subtle accent
Over 70 colours and effects, with many shades in AB, AB 2X, matte and glitter finishes
Small retail packs for trying a shade and wholesale packs for production runs
Friendly, expert advice from a team that’s been helping makers choose crystals for over 10 years

Sizes, colours and pack options

Choose your size, finish and pack quantity below to find the right Preciosa bicones for your next project.

Bead sizes and hole sizes

Smaller bicones suit delicate stringing and bead weaving, while larger sizes give more presence in statement pieces.

3mm (hole approx. 0.85mm) - fine bead weaving and dainty jewellery
4mm (hole approx. 0.9mm) - a versatile all-rounder for bracelets, necklaces and earrings
5mm (hole approx. 1.2mm) - a touch more sparkle for stringing, crochet and embellishment
6mm (hole approx. 1.2mm) - bold accents and focal points

Colours and finishes

Lots of shades come in more than one finish, so you can mix effects in one design while keeping the same bead shape.

Standard colours - true, clean shades such as Clear, Jet, Siam, Emerald, Sapphire and Amethyst
AB (Aurora Borealis) - a rainbow-like coating that adds extra colour flashes to the facets
AB 2X - AB coating on both sides of the bead for an all-over shimmer
Matte and AB Matte - a soft, frosted look that suits vintage and boho designs
Glitter - similar to AB but with an extra twinkle, in shades such as Clear, Rose and Light Siam
Opal - milky, softly glowing shades like White Opal, Rose Opal and Chrysolite Opal
Special effect coatings - metallic and half-coated finishes including Aurum, Labrador, Jet Hematite and Vitrail

Can’t decide? Our Preciosa colour charts make it easy to compare shades before you buy.

Retail and wholesale packs

Retail packs - 48 beads (3mm, 4mm and 5mm) or 24 beads (6mm), available in selected shades
Wholesale packs - 1,440 beads (3mm), 720 beads (4mm), 576 beads (5mm) or 288 beads (6mm), ideal for costume makers, jewellery businesses and big projects

Buying regularly for your business? Find out more about our trade accounts.

Popular ways to use bicone crystal beads

Our customers use them in all kinds of makes, including:

Bracelets, necklaces, earrings and anklets, as the main bead or as spacers between pearls and gemstones
Bead weaving and stitched designs, where the 3mm and 4mm sizes really shine
Tiaras, hair accessories, bridal jewellery and wedding decor
Crochet and knitting with crochet cotton or fine yarn, using the 5mm and 6mm sizes for their larger holes
Suncatchers, wine glass charms, keyrings and festive decorations
Bead embroidery on costumes, headpieces and trims

What to thread your bicone beads on

Every bead is drilled straight through the centre, so you’ve got plenty of stringing options:

Beading wire - our top pick for necklaces and bracelets, as sharp crystal edges can wear through softer threads over time
Beading thread - best for bead weaving and stitched designs
Elastic cord - quick and easy for stretch bracelets
Crochet cotton and fine yarn - for crochet, knitting and embroidery, ideally with the 5mm and 6mm beads

Pick up wire, thread and elastic in our thread, cord and wire range, and finish your pieces with our jewellery findings.

Explore more bicone beads

We stock bicone beads from three brands, so you can choose the sparkle and price point that suits your project.

Zodiac bicone beads - our own-brand glass bicones in 4mm, 6mm and 8mm, a cost-effective alternative with plenty of sparkle
Swarovski bicone beads - genuine Swarovski crystal for a luxury finish
Preciosa round beads - round Preciosa crystal beads that pair well with bicones.

FAQS

What are bicone beads?

Bicone beads are shaped like two cones joined at their widest point, giving them a diamond-like outline. Their angled facets bounce light in all directions, which is why they’re a go-to bead for jewellery making. You might also see Preciosa bicones called “rondelle beads”, as that’s the name Preciosa uses in its own catalogue.

What sizes do Preciosa bicone crystal beads come in?

We stock them in 3mm, 4mm, 5mm and 6mm. 3mm is great for fine bead weaving, 4mm works for almost any jewellery project, and 5mm and 6mm add more impact to statement pieces.

What size is the hole in a Preciosa bicone bead?

The holes are approximately 0.85mm on 3mm beads, 0.9mm on 4mm beads and 1.2mm on 5mm and 6mm beads. If you’re stringing onto yarn or a thicker cord, the 5mm and 6mm sizes are your best bet.

What’s the difference between Preciosa and Swarovski bicone beads?

Both are genuine, precision-cut crystal with a fabulous sparkle. Preciosa is made in the Czech Republic and offers a huge range of colours and finishes, while Swarovski is a premium Austrian brand known for its luxury finish. If you’d like to compare, take a look at our Swarovski bicone beads.

Can I use bicone crystal beads for crochet and knitting?

Yes! They’re a fun way to add sparkle to crochet and knitting. Go for the 5mm or 6mm sizes, which have the largest holes, and use crochet cotton or a fine yarn with a beading needle or threader to get them on. Clear and AB shades look gorgeous on crochet crowns, while brighter colours bring a pop of colour to amigurumi.

How quickly will my Preciosa bicone beads be dispatched?

Most of our Preciosa bicone beads are ordered for you and usually dispatched within 2-3 working days. In the unlikely event that a colour is in production at Preciosa, it can take up to 4 weeks. You’ll find the dispatch details on each product page, and our team is always happy to check timings for you.