Where to buy quality beads in Paris?

Updated on 16 October 2026

To buy quality beads in Paris, head to shops specialising in jewellery-making supplies, such as Perles Corner, a shop and workshop at 11 rue Oberkampf (Paris 11th): natural stones checked by Sébastien, certified in gemmology, a large share of which are selected and crafted in our partner workshops in Jaipur; findings made in Europe and 24K fine gold plated; Bohemian and Miyuki beads. But before choosing your shop, you need to know how to recognise quality. That is exactly what we explain here.

Prefer to order online? Here is how to choose a website to buy quality beads.

It all comes down to three criteria. Once you know them, you can't go wrong.

• 1. Authentic stones. A “natural stone” should really be one. Undisclosed dyeing, glass sold as gemstones, fanciful names: the market is full of approximations. The right reflex: buy from a shop that can identify the material and tell you honestly what you are buying — genuine stone, any treatment, exact name. This is where expertise in gemmology makes the difference: at our shop, every item in our stone catalogue is checked and selected by Sébastien, co-founder and certified in gemmology.
• 2. Plating quality. It is THE difference you cannot see when you buy… and cannot miss after three weeks of wear. A standard gold-plated finding tarnishes quickly. A finding 24K fine gold plated or with genuine 3-micron gold plating keeps its shine. Always ask: what plating, what origin? If the answer is vague, move on. Our Premium 24K Gold-Plated ranges are made in Europe, with a partner plater we have worked with for more than 10 years — and we tell you so in black and white.
• 3. Consistency. Evenly sized beads, clean holes, consistent colours from one batch to the next. That is what sets genuine Bohemian beads (Czech glass, centuries-old craftsmanship) and Japanese Miyuki beads apart from low-cost imitations that spoil a piece of jewellery.

Both, depending on your project.

In the shop, you can touch the materials, compare colours in real light, and above all leave with advice: which thread for which hole size, which clasp for which chain. For natural stones — where every strand is unique — seeing before you buy changes everything.

Online, you have access to the whole catalogue (nearly 6,000 items), the free tutorials linked to each creation, and you order at your own pace. With free in-store collection (click & collect), you can combine both.

To recognise a trustworthy website, rely on our 7 criteria for choosing a bead website.

Not all beads suit every piece of jewellery. Here are the right choices depending on what you want to make.

• For a natural stone bracelet, go for round beads of 6 to 8 mm, strung on 0.5–0.8 mm stretch cord or on macramé cord with a sliding knot. Amazonite, lapis lazuli and labradorite offer beautiful, naturally varied colours.
• For a necklace, Bohemian beads are ideal: light, luminous, available in dozens of shapes (drops, faceted, olives). Strung on nylon thread, silk thread or chain, they make refined pieces from your very first creation.
• For bead weaving, Japanese Miyuki beads are the benchmark. Their perfect sizing is essential for even bead weaving — peyote, brick stitch or loom. A small investment for an unbeatable result.
• For macramé, combine Linhasita cord with small drilled natural stones: it is the most accessible technique for beginners, with no tools at all.

In the shop as online, every tutorial lists exactly which beads and threads are used — everything you need to get started without making mistakes.

Since 2012, our shop and workshop in the 11th has been built on a simple conviction: making your own jewellery should be accessible, with no compromise on quality.

In practical terms, here is what you will find at 11 rue Oberkampf:

• Authentic natural stones — cabochons, bead strands, pendants — chosen by someone certified in gemmology
• Made in Europe findings 24K fine gold plated, 925 silver,
• Pendants and findings in stainless steel
• Bohemian and Miyuki beads sourced from the historic manufacturers
• Personalised advice: the team helps you put your project together, from choosing the thread to the clasp
• Our DIY jewellery workshops to learn the techniques, as beginners or with friends (hen parties welcome!)

The shop is open Tuesday to Friday from 11 am to 2 pm and from 3 pm to 6:45 pm, and on Saturday from 11 am to 7 pm without a break. Métro Oberkampf or Filles du Calvaire.

Less than you might think. Individual beads start at a few cents, a strand of Bohemian beads costs between €2 and €6, and a basic tool kit (three pliers) remains very affordable. For a first natural stone bracelet, allow €10 to €20 in supplies — and the immense satisfaction of saying “I made it myself”. Of course, it all depends on the materials and the project you choose.

Our Inspiration - Tutorials section gives you precise shopping lists, tutorial by tutorial.