If you've been buying jewelry making supplies for a while, you've probably come across this question: Miyuki or Toho? Both are Japanese brands, both have a reputation for extremely high quality, and both constantly appear in patterns and tutorials. The good news is that there's no "wrong" answer — but there are real differences worth knowing before you choose.
A little history
Miyuki, founded in Hiroshima in 1949, was Japan's first seed bead factory. Toho, also founded in Hiroshima in 1951, became one of the world's largest manufacturers over the years. Both have been competing for more than seven decades for the same goal: the highest possible precision in a crystal bead just a few millimeters in size.
Key Differences
1. Hole Size
This is the most cited difference by regular beaders: Toho beads usually have a slightly larger hole than Miyuki beads of the "same" nominal size. This makes it easier to pass the thread through the same bead multiple times, which is useful in bead embroidery or loom work. Miyuki Delica beads, on the other hand, have thin walls and a generous hole for their cylindrical shape, designed for flat, very uniform weaves.
2. Shape and Uniformity
Miyuki is renowned for being the most consistent brand in size and shape, bead by bead. This regularity is precisely what makes Delicas the benchmark for peyote, brick stitch, and any design where a minimal unevenness would be noticeable to the naked eye. Toho, with its slightly more cylindrical profile and defined edges on its rocailles, is also very uniform, although its historical strong point has been more innovation in finishes than millimeter precision.
3. Colors and Finishes
Here, both brands compete head-to-head: metallic, matte, transparent, silver-lined, iris, Duracoat/wear-resistant galvanized... Miyuki is known for a very rich palette and for finishes that stand up well to daily use, something important if you sell finished pieces or kits that people will wear.
What is each one used for?
As a practical summary: if your project requires passing the thread through the same bead multiple times (embroidery, dense loom work), a larger hole helps. If you're looking for maximum uniformity for a closed pattern design—peyote, brick stitch, pixelated designs—Miyuki's precision (and Delica's in particular) makes the difference between a perfect weave and one with visible small irregularities.
Why do we work with Miyuki at Solkalo?
We chose Miyuki as the basis of our catalog for its consistency: when you buy the same color in two different orders, you know that the size and finish will be the same. For those who bead seriously—or sell what they bead—this reliability saves time and avoids surprises. Our Delica and Rocaille beads are designed so you can combine colors with confidence, and if you prefer not to get complicated with the palette, our Pre-combined Kits are a good starting point.
Do you have questions about which size or finish to choose for your next project? Write to us, we'll gladly guide you.