Choosing your bead color is usually the first step, and often the most personal one.
Sometimes it’s easy. An orange tabby feels unmistakably orange. Other cats are harder to translate; tortoiseshells, calicos, pointed cats, the ones that never fit neatly into one color alone.
Our Cat Lover beads come in five colors: Black, White, Grey, Pink, and Orange. Because they’re carved from natural Mother of Pearl, each one will vary slightly in tone and pattern.
This guide is meant to help, not decide for you. The right bead is simply the one that feels most like them when you see it.
Abyssinians are known for their warm, rich coats and softly ticked fur, which gives them a subtle glow rather than bold stripes or spots. Most Abyssinians are best represented by our Orange bead, especially Ruddy and Red coats. Their coloring tends to range from warm copper and cinnamon to deeper reddish brown tones.
Bengals are known for their striking spotted or marbled coats, often layered with warm golden, bronze, or caramel tones. Most Bengals are best represented by our Orange bead, though cooler silver Bengals may lean more Grey. Their coats have a bold, high-contrast look that feels both wild and refined.
Calicos are known for their distinctive mix of black, orange, and white coloring, with no two coats ever patterned quite the same way. Many people choose Orange, Black, or Pink beads depending on which part of their cat’s coloring feels most recognizable to them. Calicos tend to be less about an exact match and more about capturing their overall warmth and personality.
Devon Rex and Sphynx cats are known for their unusual, highly distinctive appearance, from soft waves and oversized ears to nearly hairless skin. Many people choose Pink beads for these breeds because they reflect warmth and skin tone more than traditional coat color. Depending on coloring, some may also lean White or Grey.
Grey & Blue cats are known for their cool-toned coats, which can range from soft silver to deep charcoal grey. Breeds like Russian Blues, British Shorthairs, and Chartreux are often best represented by our Grey bead. Their coloring tends to feel sleek, calm, and softly muted.
Orange cats are known for their warm, unmistakable coats, ranging from pale cream orange to deep copper and marmalade tones. Most orange tabbies, Maine Coons, and ginger cats are best represented by our Orange bead. Their coloring tends to feel bright, familiar, and full of personality.
Siamese and pointed cats are known for their lighter bodies paired with darker “points” on the face, ears, tail, and paws. Depending on their coloring, many are best represented by our Grey, White, or Pink beads. Their coats tend to feel soft, elegant, and high-contrast in a very distinctive way.
Brown and silver tabbies are known for their striped or swirled coats, often layered with warm brown, cool grey, or silvery undertones. Warmer tabbies are often best represented by our Orange bead, while cooler silver tabbies may lean more Grey. Their markings tend to be highly detailed, expressive, and instantly recognizable.
Tortoiseshell cats are known for their rich mix of black, orange, and brown tones blended together in a mottled or marbled pattern. Many torties are best represented by our Black or Orange beads, depending on whether their coloring feels deeper or warmer overall. Their coats tend to feel dramatic, layered, and completely unique.
Tuxedo cats are known for their striking black-and-white coats, often with white chests, paws, or facial markings that stand out against darker fur. Most tuxedos are best represented by our Black bead, since their overall presence tends to read darker first. Their coloring feels classic, high-contrast, and instantly recognizable.
No two cats fit perfectly into one color, and that’s part of the point.
Most people don’t choose their bead because it’s technically exact. They choose the one that feels familiar immediately, the one that reminds them of the way their cat looks, moves, or somehow just is.
If you’re still deciding, trust your first instinct. It’s usually the right one.
Explore the Cat Lover Collection and create the piece that feels most like yours.