Jewelry Findings · Caps
Bead Caps
Cupped metal caps that finish a focal bead like a setting — specified by the bead they must fit, not by their own name.
A bead cap is a small metal cup that sits over the pole of a bead, turning a plain round into something that looks set and finished. Bead caps are a named line of this catalogue's findings section (jewelry bead caps), stocked to serve the catalogue's own bead range — porcelain, glass and gemstone focals are the usual wearers. They are also the finding most often ordered blind: a cap is a fit, and a fit cannot be guessed from a product name.
So this page is a fitting guide. Cap sizes in current stock are confirmed per SKU, but the measurements never change: the bead's diameter at the pole, the cap's inner diameter and depth, and the hole alignment through both. Bring those three numbers for your focal bead and the cap quote will be right; bring only 'fits 12mm beads' and it will not, because a 12mm round and a 12mm rondelle wear different caps.
Bead caps within the findings range
| Line | Details on record |
|---|---|
| Jewelry bead caps | Named line in the jewelry findings category |
| Spacer beads | The flat partner used with caps on focals; see spacer beads |
| Pendant bails | For capped focals worn as pendants; see pendant bails |
| Head pins | For capped beads built into drops; see head pins |
How buyers spec bead caps
- Give the bead, not the cap name. State your bead's material, shape and exact diameter — and ideally order caps in the same inquiry as the beads, and ask for the fit to be confirmed against the actual stock bead.
- Depth is the hidden spec. A shallow cap dresses the pole; a deep cap wraps a third of the bead and changes its silhouette. Name the look you want and ask for the cap depth in millimetres.
- Hole alignment. The cap's hole and the bead's hole must align on the pin or cord. For beads with off-centre holes (some lampwork), caps may sit crooked — test on a sample before a run.
- Finish as a set. Caps are highly visible. Match their plating colour to the pins, spacers and clasp of the same design, in the same order.
Minimums, units and packing
Bead cap minimums and prices are confirmed per SKU by size and finish. Send bead type, bead diameter, desired cap depth and quantity; the reply states the caps that fit that bead from current stock — a fitting answer, not a catalogue guess.
Buyer questions
Do bead caps fit any bead of the same diameter?
No — shape rules fit. A round, a rondelle and a bicone of the same diameter present different poles. Give the shape, and specify the bead the caps must fit. Ask whether physical matching against the stock bead is available when you order caps with the beads.
Can caps protect porcelain beads?
They dress and partly protect the pole area, and they stop cord abrasion at the hole. For full edge protection between porcelain beads, smooth spacers do the heavier work.
Are caps sold in the silver tier?
The recorded silver findings are crimps, eyelets and earwires. Silver cap availability is confirmed per inquiry — see sterling silver findings for what is on record.
Related specimens
Send your bead list, get a per-SKU quote
Tell us the material, size, hole size, quantity and unit basis (pieces, strands, pairs or bags) for each item on your list. We confirm current pricing, minimums and packing per SKU before you commit.
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