WHAT ARE TERP PEARLS
Terp pearls (sometimes "dab pearls" or "banger beads") are small spheres — typically 4–6mm diameter, made of quartz, ruby, or sapphire — placed inside a quartz banger before dabbing.
When the dab is dropped and the carb cap creates airflow, the pearls spin around the dish, agitating the concentrate puddle and ensuring even vaporization. Pearls solve the low-temp dabbing problem of unmoved concentrate corners.
Without pearls, a low-temp dab can leave residue around the edges of the banger; with pearls, the agitation pulls every drop into the airstream.
MATERIALS
Quartz pearls — The workhorse. Same material as the banger, even heat distribution. $10–$20 for a 2-pack. Recommended for most dabbers.
Ruby pearls — Synthetic ruby (corundum). Holds heat better than quartz, looks pretty (red color). $30–$60 for a 3-pack. Premium upgrade.
Sapphire pearls — Synthetic sapphire (corundum, blue). Similar performance to ruby. Often slightly more expensive due to color. $35–$70.
SiC (silicon carbide) pearls — Specialty material. Excellent heat retention, dense, dark color. $40–$80. Connoisseur-tier.
HOW MANY PEARLS
For most flat-top bangers, 2 pearls is the standard. The pair spins around each other in the banger, creating consistent agitation.
For larger bangers (slurpers, oversized flat-tops), 3 pearls works better — more mass, more inertia, more agitation.
For small thermal bangers, 1 pearl is enough — there’s no room for multiple pearls to spin without colliding.
Pearl size matters too. 4mm pearls work in small bangers; 6mm pearls work in standard flat-tops. Match pearl diameter to banger ID.
CARE
Pearls should be cleaned with q-tips after every dab — same as the banger. Iso-soak when residue builds up.
Pearls can crack from extreme thermal shock. Avoid plunging hot pearls into cold water. Let them cool with the banger.
Quality pearls last years with proper care. Cheap pearls (sub-$10) sometimes flash white or develop surface pitting after months of use.
