The Fascinating Story of Miyuki

Miyuki is the world's leading seed bead manufacturer. Its Japanese beads are renowned for their exceptional quality, unique luster, and enormous variety of colors. From professional jewelers to beading enthusiasts, everyone appreciates the precision and consistency of Miyuki beads.

The Origin of Miyuki Beads

Beads have existed since time immemorial and have always held a special place in human history. In ancient times, they were made from wood, bone, resin, shell, and glass, and were used in both sacred rituals and trade. It wasn't until the 19th century that glass beads began to be used in jewelry and decoration, although their irregularity was a common problem.

The Miyuki story began in Japan, in the city of Fukuyama, Hiroshima Prefecture, in the 1930s. Seiichi Katsuoka, great-grandfather of the current company president, was amazed by the beauty of glass beads and decided to start manufacturing them. In 1949, with the support of his family and friends, he established his own factory.

After World War II, materials were scarce, so they could only produce a few dozen colors in transparent and opaque shades. However, thanks to the high quality of the glass used, their beads were already renowned for their brilliance and uniformity. Local artisans quickly adopted these beads in their creations, marking the beginning of the Miyuki legacy.

The Silverline Technology Revolution

In the 1950s, Hiroshi Katsuoka, the founder's son, took over the company. At that time, a special technique called silverline existed in Europe and the United States, which was not yet used in Japan. Determined to incorporate this innovation, Hiroshi conducted extensive research, studying books and visiting glass factories. Eventually, he developed an exclusive silver plating method for Miyuki, which gave its beads an incomparable shine.

Thanks to this innovation, Miyuki beads began to gain recognition in the world of fashion and jewelry. Their consistency and perfect finish won over designers and manufacturers around the world.

Innovations and Creation of Delica Beads

Over the years, Miyuki has continued to improve its production techniques to ensure the highest quality in its beads. In 1974, Masayoshi Katsuoka, father of the current president, officially founded the Miyuki brand and introduced one of its most iconic creations: the Miyuki Delica Beads. These cylindrical beads were specially designed for loom or needle weaving and became famous for their uniform shape and pinpoint precision.

Thanks to their regularity, Delica Beads enabled the development of weaving techniques such as peyote, brick stitch, and square stitch. These techniques became popular among artisans, allowing for the creation of detailed patterns and beautifully finished jewelry pieces.

Since 2017, Kenji Katsuoka has led the company, maintaining the commitment to quality and constant evolution that has characterized Miyuki since its inception.

The Miyuki Bead Manufacturing Process

Have you ever wondered how these little works of art are made? Here's a step-by-step explanation:

1. Glass melting: Silicon oxide, sodium carbonate and calcium carbonate are mixed with colorants and melted in a furnace at 1,400°C.

2. Formation of glass tubes: Molten glass is poured into a crucible with compressed air, forming thin tubes.

3. Cutting the tubes: The tubes are cut into small pieces using a special machine.

4. Spherization: The glass fragments are heated again at 700°C to form them into round beads.

5. Cleaning and polishing: Residues are removed and the beads are polished to improve their transparency.

6. Application of effects: Finishes such as silver plating, tinting, frosting, and special coatings are added.

7. Washing and drying: A final cleaning and drying of the beads is carried out.

8. Packaging and distribution: Finally, the finished products are packaged and exported worldwide.

Why Choose Miyuki Beads?

Miyuki beads stand out for their superior quality, durability, and unsurpassed color range. They are ideal for creating bracelets, necklaces, earrings, and all types of handmade jewelry. If you haven't tried working with them yet, now is the perfect time to start.

At Miyukilandia, we offer not only a wide variety of Miyuki beads, but also tutorials and tips to help you improve your creations. Discover the fascinating world of Miyuki and let your creativity run wild!