Miyuki Delicas 15/0 ultra-fine beads for jewelry and weaving
Miyuki Delica 15/0 are the smallest cylindrical beads in the Miyuki range: with a diameter of around 1.3 mm, they pave the way for weaving of remarkable finesse and precision. Available in over 165 colors, they are the essential tool for designers who wish to push back the limits of detail in their jewelry and accessories.
Among all the beads in the Miyuki range, the Delica 15/0 occupies a special place. It's the bead for demanding projects, the one you choose when every millimeter counts. Its perfectly calibrated cylindrical shape, inherited from the Delica 11/0, the weaving reference, is here taken to its ultimate level of miniaturization.
Its reduced size (~1.3 mm) and proportionally large hole enable it to pass the thread several times effortlessly, a key technical constraint for needle-based techniques. The resulting rendering is of a density and regularity widely recognized in the weaving world.
👉 Are you new to Japanese beads? Find all the information you need on sizes and ranges in our complete guide to Miyuki beads and in our sheet on Miyuki bead shapes and sizes.
Techniques for Miyuki Delica 15/0 beads
Delica 15/0 is reserved for precision techniques. Its use requires a good command of the gesture and a suitable thread:
- Peyote, brick stitch or ultra-fine herringbone: Delica 15/0 beads can be used to reproduce highly detailed patterns.
- Weaving on a loom: for fine cuffs.
- Finishing details and borders: combined with Miyuki Delica 11/0, 15/0 can be used as a border or filler to refine the contours of a piece and give it an exceptional finish.
- Complements in mixed weaves: experienced designers combine them with Miyuki Seed beads 15/0 to vary textures within the same piece.
Delicas 15/0 in the Miyuki family
Delica 15/0 is the finest Delica in a range that also includes 8/0, 10/0 and 11/0 sizes. The larger the number, the smaller the bead (a principle that applies to all Miyuki beads). If you'd like to compare sizes before taking the plunge, our Miyuki shapes and sizes guide details each reference with its dimensions and uses.
How big is a Miyuki Delica 15/0 in millimeters?
A Miyuki Delica 15/0 measures approximately 1.3 mm in diameter and is slightly shorter in height. It is the smallest of the cylindrical Delica beads, significantly thinner than the Delica 11/0 (~2 mm).
Can you mix Delica 15/0 and Delica 11/0 in the same piece?
Yes, and it’s even a technique favored by experienced beaders. In this case, 15/0 Delica beads are used to refine borders, create textural gradients, or add detail to specific areas within a main piece woven with 11/0 beads. The two sizes aren’t interchangeable row by row, but they complement each other very well.
How many beads are there in a 5-gram bag of Miyuki Delica 15/0?
A 5-gram bag of Miyuki Delica 15/0 contains approximately 1,700 beads.