Gem Beads
Gem Beads: What You Should Know
We see many beautiful gem bead jewelry pieces, created by numerous jewelry designers – famous to hobbyist. Most of these people are very creative artists in their design, but many of them know little, or nothing, about the materials they are working with, and this can lead to disasters. This series will try to help you know about the gems and materials you are using and their idiosyncrasies. Let’s start with the basics.
What is a “PRECIOUS” and a “SEMI-PRECIOUS” GEM?
They are minerals and rocks that that people consider special, beautiful and of value. Actually, there is no specific definition, but a definition must include: the special ness and beauty of the stone. This includes the colors, shine, optical effects, shapes, physical effects, hardness, and rarity of the stone. In the past, “Precious Gem” referred only to: Diamonds, Rubies, Sapphires, and Emeralds (plus, Alexandrites and Pearls), but now the term includes most gems. In this “PC” world, “Semi-Precious Gem” has fallen out of use because it is demeaning, plus with the introduction of numerous unknown (i.e. Tanzanite) and previously unused gems (i.e. the Colors of Sapphire) the separation no longer applies
What is a “MINERAL”?
It is a naturally occurring inorganic solid constitute of the earth’s crust. Most minerals have their own chemical formula, molecule, and crystal forms. Examples are: Diamond, Sapphires, Peridot, Quartz (includes; Agate, Chalcedony, Jasper, and Opal), Garnet, Tourmaline, etc.
What is a “ROCK”?
A rock is a natural aggregate of different or the same minerals. When you look at a rock, you will usually see some of the different components of it’s make up. Examples: Unakite, Ruby in Zoisite, Lapiz Lazuli, Marble, Tiger Iron, Granite, Gneiss, etc.
What is an “IMITATION”?
Anything made to resemble a natural or synthetic gem. They imitate the look, color, and effect of the original, but they do not have the same chemical of physical characteristics. Examples include: Glass, Austrian Crystal (leaded glass), CZ, Enamel, Plastics, Dyed Howlite and Marble, “Paste”, Chinese Glass gems (Strawberry Quartz, Pineapple Quartz, etc.) etc.
What is a “SYNTHETIC”?
They are crystallized man made products whose chemical and physical properties are, for the most part, identical to their natural counterparts. Examples are: Synthetic Rubies, Sapphires, Alexandrites, CZ, Chatam Emeralds, Hematine, Quartz, etc.
What is a “MAN MADE” gem?
These are gems that do not occur in nature. Examples: Gold stone (glass & copper).
Or they are “Block materials”, which are reconstituted, crushed natural materials that are mixed with a resin and formed into blocks for cutting. Examples include: Block Azurite/Malachite, Block Coral, Block Black Onyx, Block Turquoise, etc.
About the Author
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How do I avoid my lip ring from migrating?
I got my first lip piercing while out of town in hollywood a day before coming home…they put in a stud that was too tight and it was becoming embedded so i went to the local shop, and they changed it to a longer one..except it had a small gem on the front of it…and the gem was getting into the hole of my piercing…i went again and they changed it to a lip ring because they didnt have a bigger bead…Now i am scared that it will get infected or migrate..what do i do to avoid it moving? the ring they put in is really big..so i’m guessing its going to put some stress on the piercing…i dont know what to do..help!
This should not cause your lip ring to migrate. Migration is generally caused by people who play with their piercings and pull them, get them caught on things etc. Your original piercer should have put in a long barbell in the first place to accomodate the swelling.
I suggest you just follow the aftercare regime (clean it, don’t touch it with unwashed hands, ice, ibuprofen, sea salt soaks) and wait for it to heal. You can have the ring changed when ALL of the swelling goes down.
Don’t freak out if you wake up one morning (within the next 3 weeks or so) and it seems to have swollen up again. That can happen if you sleep on it or something like that.
Good luck!
Semi Precious Gemstone Beads for Handcrafted Jewelry – 1
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1X HOWLITE TURQUOISE GEM CARVED EAGLE HAWK BEAD PENDANT $4.49 |
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18X25mm Picasso Jasper Gem Beads Stretchy Bracelet 1PC $4.99 |
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z4154 10pc 20mm White Graffiti Mother of Pearl Shell Gems Flat Coin Loose Beads $1.71 |
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15 1/3″ MULTI JASPER GEMS BEADS 7X6X4MM – 10X8X5MM $0.99 |
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7MM FLUORITE JASPER JADE MULTI GEM LOOSE BEAD 15 2/3″ $1.38 |
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1PCS DOMINICAN REPUBLIC LARIMAR GEMS ROUND BEADS 9MM $0.99 |
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7MM FLUORITE JASPER JADE MULTI GEM LOOSE BEAD 15 2/3″ $0.99 |
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Fine Tibet Tribal Pink Jade Gems beads Earring $1.25 |
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5pcs Silver Core Gem OPal Cat Eye Beads Fit European Charm Bracelet G125 $0.99 |
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5pcs Silver Core Gem OPal Cat Eye Beads Fit European Charm Bracelet G135 $0.99 |
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5pcs Silver Core Gem OPal Cat Eye Beads Fit European Charm Bracelet G129 $0.99 |
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11MM 15 2/3″ NATURAL OLD TIGER’S EYE GEMS ROUND BEAD $0.99 |
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L0072 Stuning Unakite Gem Round Loose Beads 6mm $4.28 |
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20X14X14MM AMETHYST GEMS FACETED LOOSE BEADS 5″ $0.99 |
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z4143 1 Strand 5*5mm Green Round Mother of Pearl GEM Shell Loose Beads 15″ $1.29 |
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Set of Three White Iron and Glass Cake Stands $103.09 Set of three – large is 11 diameter and 10.75 tall, 9.5 diameter and 8.5 tall, 8 diameter and 5.75 tall. White scroll metal frames. Clear glass inserts. Drop dangle accents. Beautiful addition to any table – casual or eleganttttt… |
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Trademark Tools 75-1640 40-Piece Small Item Aluminum Storage Set with Box $29.99 Store beads, gems, spices…and more. Tin storage case and individual containers are charming and durable. Clear plastic view tops are another great feature!… |
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Birth Month Bowl A loved one’s birthday may only happen once a year, but these precious decorative dishes will remind them how much you treasure them all the year round. Each bowl is made to represent one of the sparkling gems that represent a person?s birth month. Artist Ellen Bartfeld carefully crafts them from brightly colored stained glass, and crowns them with a line of beads and crystals threaded along a cop… |
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SE Battery Tester (AAA, AA, C, D, and 9 Volt) $0.01 Test All Kind of Batteries from Button Cell to AAA, AA, C, D & 9 Volt… |
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SE Pottery Tool – 11 Pc Set $5.45 An 11-Piece Set of Pottery and Sculpture Tools ideal for any creative project. The tools are made of metal, with wood handles for an easy grip. Each tool has two shaped heads (one on each end) providing a variety of different carving shapes to give you more flexibility for your designs. They are ideal for detail work in carving, sculpture, and jewelry making. Design your prototype and create model… |
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SE 11 Function Credit Card Size Survival Pocket Tool $0.01 This credit card-size multi-function survival tool includes a can opener, knife edge, screwdriver, ruler, cap opener, 4-position wrench, butterfly screw wrench, saw blade, direction ancillary wrench, 2-position wrench, and a keychain hole. Comes with a pouch…. |
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10 of AG3/LR41 Alkailine Button Cell Watch Battery $0.01 Cross Reference: AG3, G3A, LR736, LR41, L736, 192, 392, GP192, V36A, 392A, 92A… |
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SE 12 pc. Alligator Clip Set $3.00 12 Pc Set,6 Pcs with Black Sleeves and 6 Pcs with Red Sleeves… |
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SE Glass Lens,3 Diameter 3X Power magnifier $0.22 Glass Lens, 3 in. Dia 5X Power Magnification with Plastic Handle. The powerful magnification may help reduce eye strain. It is convenient for your home, office and travel. Enlarges fine print in books, maps, newspapers, directories, legal documents, etc. It has a 2 in. (51 mm) focal distance. It measures approximately 6 5/8 in. (168 mm) long with a lens that measures about 3 in. (76 mm) in diamete… |
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Lindt Signature Collection Assorted Pralines Holiday Sampler Box 12.5oz $16.55 Since 1845, Lindt’s Master Chocolatiers perfected the art of chocolate making. Over 160 years of passion have gone behind making some of the finest chocolates and creating exquisite new recipes. Lindt’s Master Chocolatiers craftmanship is demonstrated with this Signature Collection featuring an exquisite combination of smooth melting truffles and luscious filled chocolate pralines. They have be… |
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