Buying guides.
How to read a strand listing, judge quality, compare sizes and understand pricing.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.