Shapes.
What each cut is called, how it is measured and drilled, and what makers use it for. The same stone reads differently as a rondelle, a briolette or a dagger; pick the shape for the piece first, then the stone.
A rounded drop, fuller than a tear drop, usually faceted. Hangs point-up or point-down depending on the drill.
A drop that tapers to a point, drilled across the narrow top so it hangs point-down.
A heart outline, faceted or smooth, drilled across the top lobes.
A rhombus outline with faceted faces, cut flat.
A flattened round bead, wider than it is tall. The workhorse shape for strung necklaces and bracelets.
A four-sided point on a flat base, drilled across the base so the point faces out.
A triangle with softened corners and faceted faces.
A flat bar or baguette, faceted or smooth.
A tapered point with a notched base, cut long and flat.
An irregular, organic chunk, tumbled or faceted, no two alike.
A pointed ellipse, faceted on both faces, drilled across one point or through the length.
Thin flat discs strung edge to edge so the strand reads as one continuous column of color.
A D-shaped bead, flat on one side, curved on the other.
An elongated round, smooth or faceted, drilled along the long axis.
A cylinder, smooth or faceted, drilled through the length.
A flat round disc, faceted or smooth, drilled across the edge or through the center.
A box shape, faceted or plain, drilled corner to corner or face to face.
A sphere, smooth or faceted. The classic bead.
Reading a size.
Round shapes are given by diameter. Everything else is width by length in millimeters, so a 6x9mm pear is 6mm across and 9mm tall. Natural stones vary, so a 4mm strand runs roughly 3.5 to 4.5mm.
The hole runs through the long axis. Rondelles, rounds, ovals, tubes and cubes. Strung end to end.
The hole runs across the narrow top so the bead hangs. Pears, tear drops, hearts, marquise and daggers. Fringe and earrings.
Thin discs strung edge to edge so the strand reads as one column of color. Heishi and coins.
Photographs are of the actual strands listed in the shop.