Tandon Gems

What to include in gemstone strand listings to cut returns

Anish Tandon, Founder, Tandon GemsPublished September 30, 2025· Reviewed September 5, 2026· 4 min read

This article is a reference guide. Some older product details and imagery have been omitted pending verification. Confirm the current strand, price and quantity with Anish before ordering.

Short answer

State stone, shape, size range, hole size, strand length, bead count, and any color or optical effects. Add clear, color-true photos with scale and hole macros, plus a short QC notes block. For labradorite, moonstone, and opal, show the flash or sheen from multiple angles and note care. Example listings below you can copy.

In short

  • Always list stone, shape, size range, hole size, strand length, bead count.
  • Show true-to-life photos, a scale, and hole macros to prevent surprises.
  • Describe optical effects: labradorescence, adularescence, play-of-color.
  • Spell out QC notes and what minor flaws you allow or reject.
  • Give bead counts for common projects using provided bead math.

Your copy-and-paste listing template

Include: Stone, Shape, Size range, Hole size, Strand length, Bead count, Color or phenomena notes, Photo set checklist, QC tolerances.

Stone: ______ Shape: ______ Size range: ______ Hole size: ______ Strand length: ______ Bead count: ______ Optical notes: ______ Grading notes: ______ Stringing notes: ______ Care: ______ Photos: full strand, color card, scale, hole macro, angled light, backlit. QC: size verified, drill quality checked, chips and pits policy, matching policy, representative vs actual strand stated.

For shapes, we use standard terms like rondelle, pear and heishi. Photos are of the actual strand unless marked representative. Anish here: we always shoot under neutral light and include a scale because that alone cuts misunderstandings.

  • List exact stone species, not just color.
  • Give verified size range and strand length from tip to tip.
  • Show hole macros and a ruler for scale.
  • Explain any graduation or free sizes.
  • State if the photos are the actual strand.

How many 6 mm beads do you need?

We publish counts so buyers can plan. On average, a 15 to 16 inch strand of 6 mm rondelles has about 65 to 70 beads. A beaded run on a 7.5 inch bracelet is about 6 inches, so plan bracelet and necklace counts from that math.

These counts help prevent returns caused by underestimating material for a design.

  • 7.5 inch bracelet, 6 mm about 25 beads
  • 7 inch bracelet, 6 mm about 23 beads
  • 16 inch choker, 6 mm about 61 beads
  • 18 inch necklace, 6 mm about 70 beads

How do I photograph sheen, flash and play-of-color?

Use indirect daylight at two to three angles and a neutral white background. Take one short video tilt to show on-off behavior and one backlit photo to reveal body clarity. Add a macro of the drill hole and one frame with an inch ruler.

For stone behavior references, compare what you see to our guides for labradorite, rainbow moonstone and Ethiopian Welo opal. That phrasing builds buyer trust without promising a specific look under every light.

What QC notes actually reduce returns?

Tell buyers how you measured size, note any graduation, and call out the smallest and largest bead observed. Describe drill quality and if common pits, cleavage or edge nicks are present or culled. State your strand-to-strand matching policy when a listing uses representative photos.

Make the hole spec practical. Say what cord or wire you test through, and note if knots add length between beads. Add care notes so buyers choose appropriate uses before they string.

  • Size verification method and tolerance language
  • Drill quality and end-bead trimming policy
  • Color and optical-effect grading terms you use
  • Actual vs representative photo statement
  • Care and use guidance by stone

What does a perfect labradorite listing look like?

Stone: Labradorite, a plagioclase feldspar. Shape: faceted rondelle, size about 6 mm, strand length 15 to 16 inches with about 65 to 70 beads. Optical notes: gray body with labradorescence, and blue across most beads reads as higher grade. Care: warm soapy water only and avoid hard knocks.

Stringing notes: 7.5 inch bracelet needs about 25 beads. 18 inch necklace needs about 70 beads. Photos: full strand front and back, angled light to show flash, backlit for body, hole macro, on a skin-tone card, with ruler. See our labradorite guide for grading language.

  • QC: Chips culled on face sides; minor edge pits can exist on larger beads as shown.
  • Hole: center-drilled; standard stringing wire passes, see macro.
  • Photos are of the actual strand unless stated representative.
  • Matching: flash level kept consistent across the run.

What does a perfect rainbow moonstone listing look like?

Stone: Rainbow moonstone, also called white labradorite. Shape: faceted rondelle, 3 to 4 mm, strand length 16 inches with about 95 to 100 beads. Optical notes: adularescence, and strong blue flash across many beads is top. Care: warm soapy water only and avoid rough-wear bracelets.

Stringing notes: 16 inch choker needs about 61 beads at 6 mm, so plan more spacers or multi-strand with 3 to 4 mm. Photos: flat-lit white, angled tilt showing flash, hole macro, ruler, and a comparison frame to rule out opalite look-alikes. See our moonstone guide.

  • QC: Cull chalky beads that never flash; include representative mix if selling mixed grade.
  • Hole: center-drilled; note cord types that pass.
  • Photos are of the actual strand unless stated representative.
  • Matching: body color kept within the same white range.

What does a perfect Ethiopian Welo opal listing look like?

Stone: Ethiopian Welo opal, white to crystal. Shape: smooth rondelle, about 4 mm, 16 inch strand with about 95 to 100 beads. Optical notes: play-of-color from multiple angles, and weight guide about 20 carats per 8 inches at 4 mm. Care: remove for water, lotions and heat.

Photos: neutral light, angled tilt to show green, orange and blue flashes, black and white backgrounds, backlit for clarity, hole macro and ruler. If your beads are 3 to 5 mm graduated, state the smallest and largest measured. See our opal guide.

  • QC: Reject crazing and severe clouding; disclose minor surface pits if present.
  • Hole: center-drilled; confirm pass with your go-to stringing wire.
  • Representative vs actual strand must be clear in the first line.
  • Matching: similar background tone and brightness across beads.

Common questions

How specific should hole size be in a strand listing

State the measured hole and a pass test with a common cord or wire. Add a macro photo through the hole so buyers can verify fit with their stringing material.

Should I list bead counts or only strand length

List both. Bead counts for common sizes reduce confusion and help buyers plan bracelets and necklaces. If beads are free-size or graduated, explain the range and show counts on the actual strand.

How many photos are enough for gemstone strand listings

Six to eight covers it: full strand front and back, angled light, backlit, ruler scale, and at least one drill-hole macro. Add a short video tilt for flash or sheen.

How do I describe labradorite and moonstone optical effects

Use accepted terms. Labradorite shows labradorescence. Rainbow moonstone shows adularescence. Note where the effect appears on the beads and from how many angles.

What return-policy note belongs in the listing

Restate that photos are of the actual strand unless noted. Summarize allowable natural features and your exchange window, then link to shop policies. Clear QC notes reduce returns.

Sources and checks

  1. Marketing Your Gems Online - International Gem Society
  2. Opal Gemstone | Opal Stone, GIA
  3. What Is Moonstone Gemstone | Moonstone Stone, GIA

Catalog details are reference information. Ask Anish to confirm the current strand, price and availability.

Want a strand like the ones in this post?

Message Anish with the stone, shape and size you have in mind. Photos of actual strands on request.

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