What Are Terp Pearls?

Terp pearls, also known as banger beads or dab pearls, are small spherical balls used for dabbing concentrates.

They’re usually made from materials like quartz or ruby and placed inside the dish used for dabbing, known as the quartz banger before it’s heated. As the banger heats up and you add your concentrate, the pearls spin rapidly. This motion helps distribute the heat evenly across the surface, preventing the concentrate from accumulating in one spot.

Using terp pearls can maximize your concentrate usage, giving you bigger vapor production and smoother draws from your rig.

Quartz Terp Pearls

Quartz pearls are a high-quality, very heat-resistant material. They’re non-reactive and won’t affect the flavor of your dab, helping your product taste pure and clean.

Ruby Terp Pearls

Ruby pearls also have incredible heat retention and can hold heat much longer than other materials. They’re made with lab-created ruby, have a unique aesthetic element with their bright ruby color, and their smooth surface allows them to spin exceptionally fast in the banger.

Ceramic Terp Pearls

Ceramic pearls are great for those who prioritize flavor. They’re made from dense, non-porous ceramic materials like aluminum oxide. They won’t conduct heat as well as quartz or ruby, but it does burn slower and more controlled, leading to a more flavorful dab. Plus, ceramic terp pearls are easy to clean by torching off the residue.

Sapphire Terp Pearls

Sapphire terp pearls are made from lab-grown sapphire and are extremely hard and durable. They’re long-lasting and also conduct heat just as well as ruby, but with a similar slow burn to ceramic terp pearls, helping preserve the terpenes present in your concentrates. Plus, sapphire terp pearls are highly resistant to chipping or breaking, making them long-lasting accessories.

Using terp pearls correctly requires some practice, especially mastering the timing of heating and cooling the banger to achieve the perfect temperature for vaporization.

Once you’ve mastered them, terp pearls can drastically improve the efficiency and enjoyment of your dabbing sessions.

Preparing Your Dab Rig

Make sure your dab rig is clean before you start. Residue from previous sessions can alter the taste and performance of your concentrate and terp pearls.

Fill your rig with just enough water to submerge the downstem or percolator.

Placing Terp Pearls

Open your quartz banger and carefully place one or two terp pearls inside, depending on the size of the banger. Avoid overcrowding the banger; the terp pearls need to be able to spin freely.

Heating and Dabbing

Heat the bottom of the banger with a torch until it’s evenly heated. This usually takes about 20-30 seconds with a standard torch, but the exact time can vary based on your torch’s strength and the thickness of the banger.

Allow the banger to cool down momentarily to reach the optimal dabbing temperature (typically around 350-450°F or 177-232°C). Once at the right temperature, apply your concentrate directly onto the banger’s surface near the pearls. The heat will cause the terp pearls to spin, spreading the focus evenly.

Inhale slowly and steadily through the rig. The spinning pearls will continue to distribute the concentrate and heat. Continue to inhale until all of the concentrate is vaporized.

A few common issues can cause your terp pearls to not spin as expected during a dab session.

Not enough airflow – Terp pearls rely on airflow to spin inside the banger. If your dab rig’s airflow is restricted, the pearls won’t spin. Keep your rig free of any blockages, and don’t have the carb cap on too tight.

Carp cap placed on wrong – If the carp cap is put on crooked or incorrectly, it won’t create the necessary vortex that causes the pearls to spin. Make sure the cap is positioned to channel air directly onto the pearls.

Adding too much concentrate – Excess concentrate can make the pearls stick in place rather than allowing them to move freely. Use a moderate amount of concentrate to avoid this issue.

Improper heating – If the banger is not heated evenly or adequately, it might not generate enough thermal energy to create the airflow dynamics needed for the pearls to spin. Heat the banger evenly, focusing on the area around where the pearls sit.

Imperfect pearls – Damaged or poor-quality pearls may not spin effectively. Scratches or chips can alter the smooth surface of the pearls, impeding their movement. Regularly inspect your pearls for any damage and replace them if necessary.

Pearls are too large – Terp pearls need to be appropriately sized for your banger. They might not spin correctly if they’re too large or too small. Check that the pearls are the right size for your banger’s diameter and depth.