These are in the 6 - to 8mm range and mostly irregularly-shaped rice. Their selling point is their specially drilled larger holes, rare for pearls. We have these drilled specially for us in the Mysterious Orient. No more awkward jamming with an awl or unladylike cussiin'. Temporarily strung (no clasps). The holes will generally take a 1mm cord with room to spare. These aren't the large holed pearls that we had prior to 2011...