What Are Terp Pearls and How Do You Use them?

Dabbing has changed a lot over the years. Titanium nails were once the go-to, but now quartz bangers and low-temp dabs are the standard. As the gear gets better, so does the technique. Terp pearls are a one of the hottest accessories for improving your dabbing experience. They help you create bigger clouds at lower temperatures.

What Are Terp Pearls?

Terp pearls, sometimes called terp balls or dab pearls, are small, heat-safe balls made from materials like quartz, ruby, sapphire, or synthetic opal. You drop them into your quartz banger before heating it up. When you inhale and use a spinning carb cap, the airflow makes the terp pearls spin around the surface of the banger. This movement helps spread your concentrate more evenly and distribute heat across the entire surface.

Some terp pearls are simple and functional, while others come in fun shapes like fruit or contain blown glass artwork. Whether you're after performance or style, there's an option for every setup.

Why Use Terp Pearls?

Most concentrates give you the best flavor and effects when vaporized at a relatively low temperature. Lower temperatures create tasty hits but often leave unvaporized concentrate at the bottom of your banger. This is especially true with larger dabs.

Terp pearls help by spinning and spreading the concentrate on the banger's surface. This makes it vaporize more evenly and efficiently. This results in smoother pulls, better flavor, and fewer wasted dabs.

How Do Terp Pearls Work?

After you heat the banger and apply your carb cap, the airflow pulls across the top and causes the terp pearls to spin. That spinning action keeps your dab moving across the surface of the banger, increasing surface contact and distributing heat evenly. The result is a cleaner, more complete hit without hot spots or pooling.

The more movement and coverage you get, the better your concentrate vaporizes. This helps produce bigger clouds without burning off all the terpenes.

What You Need to Get Started

You don’t need a complicated setup to use terp pearls:

• A quartz banger (flat-bottom styles help pearls spin, but they aren’t required)
• A directional or vortex-style carb cap (this is what makes the pearls spin)
• A dab rig and torch
• Tweezers or a dab tool to place the pearls (optional for some but recommended if you have a deep banger or slurper) 

How to Use Terp Pearls

1. Drop your pearls into a clean, dry quartz banger.
2. Heat the banger evenly with your torch.
3. Let it cool slightly to your desired temperature.
4. Add your concentrate.
5. Cap the banger with your carb cap and take your hit. The pearls should spin immediately.

Avoid overheating your pearls. Too much heat can cause them to crack, especially if you’re using softer materials. Start low and adjust as needed.

Best Temp for Terp Pearls

There is no perfect number, but for a hot start dab, we suggest a temperature between 420°F and 575°F. Terp pearls retain heat, so your banger might stay hot longer than you expect. The more inserts you add whether pearls, pills, or pillars the more heat retention you’ll get. Be ready to adjust your desired temperature accordingly.

The key is to keep an eye on how fast your oil vaporizes and how the pearls spin. Adjust from there. If your vapor feels harsh, drop the temp. If your pearls don’t spin, try adjusting your airflow or your cap.

Cleaning Your Pearls

To keep your terp pearls working like new, clean them regularly (no one wants to hit a dirty rig):

1. Swab them with a Q-tip immediately after each dab
2. Soak them in isopropyl alcohol if they build up residue
3. Rinse with water and dry them before reuse

Never drop hot pearls into cold alcohol. That can shock the material and cause them to crack.

What Size and Material Should You Choose?

Terp pearls usually come in 4mm or 6mm sizes. Larger pearls spin better in bigger bangers, while smaller ones work well in compact setups. Here's a quick breakdown:

• Quartz terp pearls: Great all-around performance, affordable, and easy to clean
• Ruby or sapphire pearls: Hold heat longer, retain color, and offer high quality performance
• Decorative options (like synthetic opal): Fun to look at, but not always ideal for consistent use
  

Choose based on your priorities weather its function, aesthetics, or both.

Important Note: Make sure the pearls are larger than the hole in the neck of your banger. If they’re too small, they can fall into your rig. If you’re using a slurper-style banger, look for a pillar or pill instead of a round pearl. These shapes fit better inside narrow slurper channels and offer excellent heat retention.

FAQ

How many terp pearls should I use? One or two is plenty. More than that can block airflow or limit spin.

Can I reuse them? Yes. Just be sure to clean terp pearls regularly for best results.

Do they work with any carb cap? They spin best with directional or vortex-style carb caps. These create airflow patterns that keep the pearls in motion.

Do terp pearls affect flavor? They don’t add flavor, but they help preserve terpenes by improving heat distribution and preventing burning.

Are Terp Pearls Worth It? If you're looking to take fat dabs without compromising flavor, terp pearls are a smart investment. Once you figure out how dab balls work with your specific rig and routine, it’s hard to go back.

Where to Buy Terp Pearls

There are so many places on the market but we highly recommend purchasing from  Ruby Pearl Co. They offer a wide selection and are a wonderful company who does great business. Another great option is to support your local glass artist. If you are in the Arkansas area check out Cynthia DeMatteo she makes really fun character shaped pearls and other accessories. You can also find some of her work at Elev8 glass gallery in Colorado. 

Final Thoughts

Terp pearls do more than just spin, they upgrade the entire dabbing experience. Whether you're chasing a more flavorful hit, looking to distribute heat more evenly, or trying to squeeze the most from your concentrate, terp pearls can help.

Pair high quality quartz terp pearls with the right carb cap and banger, and you’ll get smoother, more efficient dabbing sessions with bigger clouds and better control. Just clean them regularly and go in at your ideal temperature, and you’re good to go.