[Katherine Swift]

This question comes through email by Monica:

I would like to make round beads.  What kind of resin would be best?  I understand that the 3 main types are an epoxy, polyester, and polyurethane for jewelry. 

[Katherine Swift]

Hi Monica,

The first thing I would ask you is whether or not you have experience with any of all three of these resins.  There are pros and cons to each of these, but ultimately, you need to use the one you are most comfortable with.

How are you going to make these beads?  Plastic mold?  Silicone mold?  That will also impact my answer.

If getting your castings bubble free is very important to you, then epoxy is the way to go.  The other two are much quicker curing and may not let you get all the bubbles out before it starts to gel.  The polyester and polyurethane resins are nice in that they will finish harder, which would be important if you expect your beads to be in a high impact situation.  Here’s a post on our blog that may help you as well:  https://www.resinobsession.com/resin-frequently-asked-questions/what-kind-of-resin-should-i-use/

Share some more details here and I can refine my answer some more.

[monica]

 I have worked some with epoxy but not for beads.  I would like to make some round and maybe some irregular shaped beads.  Not flat like a cabochon on one side but like a ball.  I imagine one that is of a thicker consistency would do better but I do not know.  I have worked with other plastics (as used in dentistry) and other materials where there are definite mixing times, some of which are short, so I am not afraid to try something new.  Also I do not know if a vibrator that is used  to remove bubbles in plaster or stone  could be used in a resin.  Also I would prefer something that could be polished and looks more glasslike.  Thank you, Monica

[monica]

 I forgot to answer one question about the material for the mold.  I am uncertain, and would appreciate when to use each.  thank you, Monica

[Katherine Swift]

Hi Monica,

I like to use silicone for molds.  You can use polyurethane, but I then find you have to be careful about what you cast into polyurethane molds.  Silicone is so much more forgiving.

Do you have templates/models?  That’s the first thing you’re going to need so you can make a mold from them.  Since you want it to be round/formed all the way around, I would suggest making a two-part mold. 

You can also try making two halves, then gluing them together, but you will probably be left with a visible seam.

[monica]

 Katherine,  thank you for your prompt replies.  I do not have any molds, yet.I am still looking for the largest spherical mold; however, I may have to make my own.  I am new at this forum means of communicating so I may be a little slow is responding.  Monica

[Katherine Swift]

We have bead molds for resin here: https://shop.resinobsession.com/collections/molds/bead

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