Weekly Share · Krossview Bench Notes #01 

Topic: Bead hole sizes

Bead hole sizes, explained by the people who drill them. If a strand has ever fought you at the needle, this is the spec that decides it.

Quick answer

Both 6 mm and 8 mm can be supplied with either a 0.8 mm or a 1.0 mm hole. Ten millimetre beads run 1.0–1.2 mm.

Why hole size matters more than it looks

Hole size decides whether a strand threads smoothly or fights you all afternoon.

Two strands can look identical in the bag and behave completely differently at the needle. It is the one spec that only shows up when you are already sitting down to string.

Demonstration in videos 

In the videos you can see two hole sizes side by side, threaded under identical conditions:

• Amethyst — drilled at 0.8 mm
• Red agate — drilled at 1.0 mm
• Threaded with a 0.8 mm open-eye needle
• On 0.6 mm elastic, used doubled 0.6mm(=1.2mm)

Same needle, same cord, two hole sizes — so the difference you see on screen comes from the hole alone.

The detail most suppliers don't mention: your needle matters as much as the hole

Needles vary a lot, and on an open-eye needle the widest point is the eye itself.

With the open-eye needle used in the video, a 0.8 mm hole catches at the eye. Other needle types will pass it.

So how comfortably a strand threads comes down to what you string with — not just the hole size printed on the spec sheet.

How we spec your hole

Tell us the needle and the cord you use, and we will spec the hole around it before the beads are drilled.

If you would rather not think about it, 1.0 mm is the safer of the two on both 6 mm and 8 mm.

That is the difference between buying beads and buying beads that work on your bench. Ready stock ships with no MOQ, so you can test a single strand before committing to a larger run.

FAQ

Can I get 8 mm beads with a 1.0 mm hole? Yes. 8 mm beads are available with either a 0.8 mm or a 1.0 mm hole.

What hole size do you drill on 10 mm beads? 10 mm runs 1.0–1.2 mm.

Why does my strand catch at the needle? On an open-eye needle, the eye is the widest point. A 0.8 mm hole can catch at the eye, while other needle types pass through the same hole without issue. Needle type changes the answer.

Which hole size is safer if I'm not sure? 1.0 mm — on both 6 mm and 8 mm.

Can you drill to my specification? Yes. Tell us the needle and cord you string with, and we will spec the hole around it before drilling.

Is there a minimum order? No MOQ on ready stock — start with a single strand to check the hole against your setup, then scale.

Get your next strand spec'd

Sending us your needle and cord is enough for us to recommend the right hole before anything is drilled.

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Krossview Bench Notes is our weekly note from the bench — the specs, materials and small decisions that change how jewelry actually works. Issues publish weekly.