Stones, strands and how to use them.
Short answers first, then the detail. Written from the stock room by the people who pick the strands.
Stone guidesWhat is labradorite and why does it flash
Labradorite is a plagioclase feldspar whose blue to gold flash, called labradorescence, comes from light bouncing between thin internal layers. To judge a strand, tilt it under one point light and count how many beads show face-up color. More even, face-filling flashes across more beads signals a stronger strand for stringing.
Buying guidesWhat size gemstone beads should I buy for a necklace or bracelet
Bead size is the bead's diameter measured in millimeters. A 4 mm bead is about the width of a grain of rice, and there are 25.4 mm in an inch. Choose 2 to 3 mm for dainty layering, 4 to 6 mm for everyday necklaces, and 8 mm for classic bracelets. These sizes string cleanly and wear comfortably.
ComparisonsLabradorite vs moonstone how to tell them apart in beads
Both are feldspars. Labradorite shows directional blue to gold flashes from a dark gray body. Moonstone shows a soft blue or white glow from a milky body. What many sellers call "rainbow moonstone" is actually white labradorite. We sort by body color first, then watch how the sheen turns on and off as we tilt the strand.
Making with beadsShould I string sapphire beads on wire or silk?
String faceted sapphire on flexible multi-strand beading cable sized to fit your bead holes, because facet edges can cut thread during wear. Use silk only for pearls and other smooth beads you want knotted between each bead. With cable and proper crimps you get strength, clean drape and dependable finishes for daily wear.
Making with beadsWhat can I make with pear shaped gemstone beads
Pear-shaped gemstone beads work for quick drop earrings, bold fringe or bib necklaces, clustered pendants, Y designs, charm bracelets, ear climbers and ring accents. Most are top- or center-drilled, so they hang cleanly. We stock pear strands in sapphire and tourmaline, plus emerald and moonstone, sold by the strand for stringing or wire work.
Gem showsHow to inspect a gemstone bead strand at a show in 60 seconds
Run the strand through your fingers to feel for chips or rough spots. Hold it to the light to see if the color matches across beads. Use a loupe to check drill holes for chipping and centering. Count beads against the tag. Check the ends for any filler beads. Ask the exact stone name and where it was cut.
Buying guidesHow many 4mm beads are on a 15 inch strand
We count about 95 to 100 4 mm beads on a 15 inch gemstone strand when beads are touching. Use inches times 25.4, then divide by the bead length along the hole. Deduct about 1.5 inches for clasp and findings when planning a finished piece.
Care and durabilityCan moonstone go in water, the shower or an ultrasonic cleaner
Plain water is fine for moonstone beads, but pools and ultrasonic cleaners are not. Moonstone is Mohs 6 to 6.5 with cleavage, so internal layers can split from shocks or heat change. To clean: rinse with lukewarm water, use a tiny drop of mild soap and a soft brush or cloth, then rinse, pat dry and air dry flat.
Care and durabilityWhich gemstone beads are hard enough for an everyday bracelet
Use Mohs 7 as the everyday-bracelet line because household dust contains quartz around 7. For daily wear, we recommend sapphire, black spinel, red Mozambique garnet, and amethyst beads. Black onyx sits on the line and needs a gentle finish. Labradorite, lapis, pyrite, turquoise, Ethiopian opal, pearls, and kyanite are better as careful or occasional bracelets.
For designers and shopsHow to price handmade gemstone bead jewelry
Use this rule: materials at per-bead cost plus your labor rate times hours, times two for wholesale, times two again for retail. Get per-bead cost by counting the beads on the strand and dividing the strand price by that count. If the strand is 13 inches, the method is the same: price divided by bead count equals per-bead cost.
Stone guidesWhy Ethiopian Welo opal is cheaper than Australian opal
Ethiopian Welo opal, found in 2008 in Ethiopia's Wollo province, is abundant and cut in high volume, so bead strands with real play-of-color usually cost far less than Australian material. White body opal looks opaque to milky; crystal body is transparent. Judge fire by flashes of green, orange and blue from several angles across multiple beads.
Gem showsHow to prepare for your first gem show
Set a budget. List the stones and sizes you need. Bring cash and a card. Walk the whole floor before buying. Ask every seller two questions: what is it, and where was it cut. Then note prices and booth numbers, compare, and circle back. Use standard 13 to 16 inch strand lengths and given bead counts to confirm you have enough for each project.
Stone guidesWhat is Umba sapphire and are multi sapphire beads real sapphire
Umba sapphire is natural corundum from Tanzania's Umba River valley, known for yielding pinks, oranges, greens and purples from one deposit. Multi sapphire beads are real sapphire, the same mineral as blue sapphire. All colors except red are sapphire, with Mohs 9 hardness. That's why a single strand can show a full, natural color mix.
Buying guidesHow much do gemstone bead strands cost and why prices vary
Strand price is set by five things, in order: the stone species, the color grade, the bead size, the cut quality, and the strand length. In US retail, amethyst and labradorite rondelles sit in entry to mid bands. Ethiopian Welo opal small smooths run mid to upper mid. Fine sapphire, especially hand‑faceted briolettes, sits high.
Care and durabilityCan labradorite go in water
Yes, brief contact with water is fine, and you can wear labradorite daily. It's Mohs 6-6.5, but perfect cleavage means knocks can crack it, and perfume or pool chlorine can dull the surface. Rinse off splashes, pat dry, and let strands air-dry before storing. Clean with warm soapy water only; skip ultrasonic and steam.
Buying guidesHow to tell if gemstone beads are real stone or glass
Use quick checks: temperature (stone stays cool longer), a loupe for round gas bubbles or a mold seam at the drill hole, and natural bead-to-bead variation in color and inclusions. Glass warms fast, shows bubbles, and looks identical. Plastic feels light. Price matters too: a way-below-market strand for the stated stone and size is a red flag.
Making with beadsHow many 6 mm or 8 mm beads for an 18 inch necklace
Plan about 66-70 of 6 mm beads or about 50-52 of 8 mm beads for an 18 inch necklace. The clasp and findings take about 1.5 inches. One 15 to 16 inch strand is usually enough for either size. String beads for the remaining length, then attach your clasp.
Care and durabilityPrevent edge chipping on diamond-cut rondelles and faceted pears
Handle on a soft mat, keep strands tied until the moment you string, and stage beads on low-tack tape or in lidded trays so facets never rub. Add tiny spacer beads or knots to separate rondelles, and use gentle wraps, caps, and wire guards for pears. Store coiled with tissue between layers. Clean with warm soapy water and a soft brush only.
For designers and shopsHow do I allocate a strand's cost to earring pairs and leftover beads?
Treat the strand's cost as cost per usable bead. Cull any beads you would not sell, then divide strand cost by the usable bead count. Assign each earring pair the cost of two beads, and reduce the strand's remaining cost by that amount. Price finished items by multiplying material cost two to three times, then add labor at your hourly rate.
Stone guidesChoose chrome diopside strands by size, shape, and what to avoid
Pick 3 mm faceted rondelles for the brightest chrome green. 4 mm can work if the beads are shallow and well cut; 5 mm risks going near black. Choose shallow profiles like small rondelles or thin pears to keep color rich. In 3 to 5 mm, avoid tall chunky cuts, uneven drilling, and strands that look yellowish like peridot or show bubbles like glass.
Buying guidesWhat size bails or jump rings fit pyramid and trilliant gemstone beads?
Measure the drill height, the center of the hole to the nearest edge. Pick a jump ring whose inner diameter is about twice that distance so it swings freely. For example, a .5 mm drill height needs roughly a 1 mm ID. Choose the thickest wire that passes the hole smoothly.
Stone guidesHow to grade translucency in blue and lavender chalcedony beads
Use two quick bench tests. Backlight a single bead with a phone flashlight and sort strands into High, Medium or Low glow by how much light blooms through the body. Then place one bead over printed text; if letters stay readable through the center, it's higher translucency. Choose smooth ovals, pears and teardrops to maximize that inner glow.
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