This page lists new Quintessence formulae for beaders who have already purchased the Quintessence Tutorial – I’ll add new variations here as soon as I’ve checked them. Appendix 1 within the tutorial gives instructions for de-coding the secret formula.
If you scroll down you’ll also see some colour lists for the sets pictured within the tutorial (plus some made since) and some links to shops which sell some of the beads needed for these pieces.
New Dodecahedra
Bicones
SuperDuo (30):8s:0::*:4mm Bicone (60):0
Neon Blue Violet Superduos; Miyuki 1465L seeds; Swarovski Fuchsia 2xAB 4mm bicones.
Bicones and Shims
Shims (6mmx2mm) (30):8s:0::*:4mm Bicone (60):0
Pale Pink Opaque Shims (6mmx2mm); Miyuki 4704 seeds (Glazed Hyacinth); Swarovski Blue Opal, Sapphire, Amethyst, Amethyst Shimmer, 2 unlabelled colours of 4mm bicones.
Beams
CzechMates Beams(30):8s:0::*:4mm FP(60):0::*:3mm FP (60):8s(60) (note both corners in top layer)
35mm diameter
Part of the Summer set (see below):
CzechMates Beams – Light Turquoise
Rutkovsky 4mm Fire Polished Rounds – Red Crackle on a yellow base
3mm Fire Polished Rounds – Dark Turquoise
Miyuki 4453 Op Light Squash
Spiky Button:
SuperDuo (30):8s:0::*:Spiky Button:0
Chalk full Vitrail Spiky Buttons, Dark Grey Super Duos, Miyuki Unions Matte Vitrail.
Rizo
SuperDuo (30):11s:0::*:0:Rizo (60)
26mm diameter
Golden Yellow Super Duos, Miyuki 412L Lt Turquoise Green Opaque, Matte Red Rizos
Gekko
Twin (30):11s:0::*:Gekko (60):0
24mm diameter
Jet Gunmetal Twins, Miyuki 2061 Matte Metallic Plum Emerald seeds, Jet Slipperit Full Matted Gekkos.
Quadralentils
CzechMates Quadralentils(30):8s:0::*:4mm FP(60):0:
Note Quadralentils are shared, but use the adjacent holes rather than the same holes on adjacent pentagons (go with your instincts and contact me if that doesn’t make sense, it’s hard to explain here without giving too much away!).
30mm diameter
Part of the Bruised set (see below):
CzechMates Quadralentils – Dark Blue Iris
Snakeskin 4mm Fire Polished Rounds – Dark Magenta
Miyuki 1465L Fuchsia Lustre
Other Shapes
Tulip Petal Truncated Icosahedron (Bucky Ball)
Truncated Icosahedron
SuperDuo(90):8s(180):0 ::*:Tulip Petal 6x8mm (180):0
Etched Crystal Slipperit Tulip Petals (Rutkovsky Beads); Antique Copper Super Duos, Antique Copper Miyuki Unions.
Colour recipes
Some of you have asked for colour numbers/names for the samples within the tutorial which I’m more than happy to share (although I might not manage all of the 70 odd samples I’ve made this year!!).
Bruised set
Pips – colour unknown, Terra Intensive Magenta (Creative Beadcraft)
Tulip Petals – Rutkovsky ETCH 48102 (I bought direct when I visited Rutkovsky themeslves, but also available from Crystal Idea)
2 Hole Daggers – Marbled Lilac (Beads Mouse)
Bicones – Swarovski Fuchsia 2xAB, Blue Opal, Sapphire, Amethyst, Amethyst AB, 2 colour unknown
Super Duos – Matubo Metalust Matte Hot Pink, Neon Blue/Violet
Nib Bits – Neon Blue/Violet
Quadralentils – Dark Blue Iris
Fire Polished Rounds – Dark Magenta Snakeskin
Seeds – Miyuki 1465L, 2075, 4704
Spring Set
Super Duos – Pastel Light Coral Pink; Opaque Olive Green
Seeds – Miyuki – 143F (Chartreuse Transparent Matte), 4453 (Duracoat Op. Lt. Squash), 4465 (Duracoat Op. Guava)
Mini Daggers – Colour unknown (purchased in Czechia)
Tulip Petals – 8x6mm – Rutkovsky 94401 Rhubarb Splash (Crystal Idea)
Rounds – Rutkovsky 02010-24003 Pink
Rullas – Rutkovsky 02010-24003 Pink
Drops – Colour unknown (purchased in Czechia from manufacturer) – a light green with an AB coating.
Summer Set
Seeds – Miyuki – 4453 Op Light Squash, 412L Lt Turquoise Green Opaque, 9408 Op Red, 131F Matte Transparent Crystal
Super Duos – Matubo – Opaque Red, Opaque Yellow
Nib Bits – Matubo – Opaque Red, Opaque Transparent Red
Tulip Petals – Rutkovsky Etched Transparent Red
Pips – Terra Intensive Yellow
Picos par Puca – Opaque Coral Lustre 93200 14400 (Tanzee Designs)
CzechMates Beams – Light Turquoise
Rizos – Opaque Matte Red
Daggers – Matte Crystal with red inclusions (Beads Mouse)
4mm Fire Polished Rounds – Rutkovsky – Turquoise crackle over red & Red crackle over yellow
3mm Fire Polished Rounds – Dark Turquoise
Shopping
I can’t speak for other countries, but I’m based in the UK and whilst a fair few of these beads came from my Czech Trip in 2023, many more were purchased separately, and I’m more than happy to suggest a few sources. Occasionally I may also give up some of my stash in the form of Materials Packs, so keep an eye on my Etsy shop (or social media) for those.
Old Bicycle Shop Beads – really wonderful shop, and Davida stocks lots of useful beads for Quintessence (I buy many of my beads from her so it’s not surprising that I’ve developed with shapes she sells). She has a great range of 2 holed beads, including the daggers, a few tulip petals, and lots of other goodies.
Tanzee Designs are another lovely UK based bead shop, and Ann carries (among many other things) a really great range of Par Puca. I’m just starting to explore the options that range offers so you’ll see more Quintessence featuring them in the future.
Creative Beadcraft – have been a bit quiet since their London shop closed a few years back, but they still sell a really good range of beads, including a large range of Czech beads including 2 holed daggers and lots of SuperDuos (among others).
New to me is MISHAukJEWELLERY (Etsy), selling a really good range of 2 holed Czechmates Daggers – some unusual colours and finishes. She also carries an interesting range of superduos and other multi holed beads.
Last and by no means least, outside the UK, Crystal Idea are based in Lithuania and are lovely to deal with. They have an excellent range of beads including a whole section of Rutkovsky beads alongside their usual crystals etc. I visited Rutkovsky last year in the Czech Republic and it’s no surprise that I use a lot of their beads – their range is splendid particularly in the etched finishes, which unusually they offer on their coloured beads as well as the vacuum finishes, and Crystal Idea are a great stockist. Crystal Idea also have a good range of Super Duos & Nib Bits among other beads and crystals ( – their Primero range is rebadged Swarovski for those of you looking for a new source, and they have a good range of Aurora).
The Indecisive Beader 