Silicone beads: the complete guide to choosing them well
Soft to the touch, colourful and incredibly versatile, silicone beads have become a must-have in creative crafts and baby accessories. Dummy clips, teething rings, nursing necklaces or DIY jewellery: they lend themselves to a thousand projects. You just need to know how to choose them. In this guide, we explain everything you need to know before ordering your silicone beads, from material safety through to care.
What is a silicone bead?
A silicone bead is a drilled bead made from soft silicone, an elastic, lightweight and hard-wearing material. Unlike wooden or hard plastic beads, it has a cushioned feel and absorbs knocks, which makes it ideal for objects handled or put in the mouth by little ones. It isn't bothered by water or saliva, doesn't split and keeps its colours over time.
Materials and safety: what really matters
This is the most important point. A quality food-grade silicone bead must be made from a wholesome, tested material. Here are the markers to check:
- Food-grade silicone: the same quality used for kitchen utensils, safe for prolonged contact.
- BPA-free, PVC-free, with no phthalates or lead: substances to banish from items intended for children.
- Compliance with the EN 71-3 standard: the European toy safety standard, which governs the migration of chemical elements. It's a serious reassurance for any project aimed at babies.
At Babanono, all of our silicone beads meet these requirements, so you can create with complete peace of mind.
Shapes and sizes
Silicone comes in a multitude of shapes that give character to your creations:
- Round: the classic, timeless shape, perfect for getting started. Find them among our classic beads.
- Hexagons and lentils: flat or faceted, they add a graphic, modern touch.
- Novelty: stars, hearts, flowers, animals or seasonal motifs, to discover in our novelty beads.
- Alphabet beads: ideal for personalising a name or a message, available in our range of alphabet beads.
As for dimensions, round beads are most often found in 9, 12, 15 or 19 mm. The smaller sizes suit details and fine jewellery, while the larger ones give structure to a dummy clip or a nursing necklace.
The colours
The palette is huge: soft pastel shades, bright colours, natural and terracotta tones, marbled or glittery effects. Remember to coordinate your colours into ranges for elegant, cohesive creations, and to order a little extra if you're planning a series.
The uses of silicone beads
Their versatility explains their success. Here are the main uses:
- Dummy clips: combined with a clip and a cord, they stop the dummy getting lost. Take inspiration from our personalised dummy clips.
- Teething rings: their softness soothes babies' gums. Discover our teething rings.
- Nursing necklaces: worn by mum, they keep baby's hands busy during feeds.
- Jewellery and accessories: bracelets, keyrings, bookmarks or decorations — silicone pairs beautifully with wood and acrylic beads.
- DIY: an endless playground for makers and workshops.
How to choose according to your project
For an item intended for a baby, always put safety first: food-grade silicone, BPA-free and compliant with the EN 71-3 standard. For a dummy clip, go for beads of 12 to 19 mm for a comfortable grip. For jewellery, finer sizes and novelty shapes will make all the difference. Finally, if you sell your creations, ordering wholesale lets you ensure colour consistency and keep your costs under control.
Care and cleaning
Silicone beads are very easy to clean. Wash them in warm soapy water, rinse and dry with a clean cloth. Avoid the dishwasher and abrasive products, which can dull the colours. Regularly check the condition of the cords and clasps on baby accessories, and replace them at the first sign of wear.
Over to you
You now have everything you need to choose beads suited to your tastes and your projects. Explore all of our silicone beads right now and give free rein to your creativity, in complete safety.
