Coin Beads

Frequently asked questions

• What is a coin bead?

  A coin bead is a flat, disc-shaped bead — round in face profile but thin in depth, like a miniature coin. The two faces are polished flat or very slightly domed, and the bead is drilled through the diameter (side to side) rather than face to face, so the flat face shows when strung. Coins differ from puffed lentils, which have a more pillow-like dome, and from heishi discs, which are much thinner and stacked tightly. The face dimension (e.g., 12mm) refers to diameter; depth is typically 3–5mm depending on the stone and size.
• What sizes does Dakota stock in coin?

  Dakota currently stocks coin beads in 2mm, 4mm, 6mm, 8mm, 10mm, 12mm, 15mm, and 30mm diameters across the catalog. The deepest stock is at 8mm (about 50 active products), followed by 12mm (34) and 6mm (32). The smaller end (2–4mm) reads almost like a flat heishi and works for tight strung designs, while 12mm and 15mm coins are scale-appropriate for focal stations and pendants. The 30mm size is a true statement disc and only carries in a few stones. Size availability shifts with supplier runs — check the listing for current strands.
• What stones come in coin cut?

  Coin is one of the broader shape inventories at Dakota — about 190 active SKUs across roughly 50+ stones. The deepest stock sits in labradorite, garnet, amazonite, agate, moonstone, beryl, jasper, apatite, lapis, and African turquoise, with single-digit counts in many other stones including chalcedony, quartz varieties, and onyx. Because the cut is flat, it tends to be specified in stones with strong face pattern, chatoyancy, or color zoning — labradorite for flash, agate and jasper for banding, moonstone for adularescence. Treatment varies by stone — check the listing, and ask before buying if it isn't specified.
• What jewelry does coin cut work best for?

  Coins are a focal cut. Designers use them as single-station pendants, spaced focals on a strung necklace, stacked-disc bracelet centers, and earring drops where the flat face needs to read flat against skin or fabric. Larger sizes (12mm and up) work as bezel-set or wire-wrapped centerpieces. Smaller coins (4–6mm) string well as a fluid alternative to round when you want less visual depth. Because the face is flat, coins photograph cleanly for catalog work and sit comfortably against the body without rolling.
• How does coin differ from puffed coin or lentil?

  All three share the same round face silhouette, but the depth profile differs. A true coin is flat or nearly flat on both faces. A puffed coin has a gentle dome on each face — more dimensional, more bead-like in hand. A lentil is more pronounced still, almost an ellipsoid pinched at the equator where the drill runs. Coins read most graphic and most disc-like; puffed coins and lentils carry more visual weight per millimeter of face diameter. If the listing doesn't specify, the side profile in the photo will tell you which you're looking at.