Gemstone Bead

The first time I set foot in a bead show, I nearly passed out. I couldn’t imagine how anyone could possibly sort through that insane quantity of bling and retain their sanity. Those bundles of gemstones, twisted together in skeins, like yarn, look so scrumptious. They create an impression of mass and saturated color that takes your breath away. Being on a limited budget (what, is there such a thing as an unlimited budget?), I had to be a little frugal at that first show, but I didn’t know enough to be picky. Blinded by the overpowering array of stones, I just chose what I thought looked good and could afford.

Well, this is not the way to choose your gems, I’m sorry to say. Here are a few tips that will help you develop your eye.

This bit of advice is going to sound silly, but in my experience, it’s true: Gem merchants never hang “the good stuff” out in the open (and this is true at bead shows and in the wholesaler’s showroom). If you see swath after swath of beads hanging on hooks or lounging on a tabletop, leave them alone. Look for the stones in the glass cases; or tell the merchant you are looking for better quality. Because it really is true that better quality means more expensive, you can be sure that that merchandise is not going to be within easy reach of you, the customer.

Pull one strand out and look at it solo, well apart from the others. You want to first check how deep the color is in the beads. Many gemstone beads are strung on wire, but some are also strung on a dyed thread which helps amplify the color of lighter colored stones. It’s a little bit of an optical illusion you have to try to overcome. You want to choose stones that are intense and deep, as long as they are not dyed. Keep in mind that most stones these days are enhanced one way or another; generally they are heat treated or irradiated to bring out color. Dye, however, is something else, and it’s not a good something else. Dye will make a stone look unnatural. Sometimes the dye will actually come off on your hands or a cloth. A good bead merchant will let you know if the stones are heat treated or enhanced.

Now look for inclusions (dark matter) and fractures in the beads. Poorer quality beads will have many inclusions you’ll be able to see with the naked eye. They make a stone look — well, more like a rock than a gemstone. Better quality stones are often described as “eye clean,” meaning that if there are inclusions, you can’t see them with the naked eye.

For larger stones, look at the faceting (unless you have such good eyesight that you can actually SEE microfaceting on smaller beads). Do you see unevennesses or chips? Are the facets crisp and sharp? Try to see in between the stones to check for broken areas. They can be difficult to spot in tightly strung strands. 

Check the way the stones are drilled. If they are drilled evenly, they will hang “sympathetically” on their thread. If they are badly drilled, they will wobble and wave on the thread (as opposed to gyre and gimble in the wabe. Oh, sorry. Got confused with Lewis Carroll for a minute there).

Last, use your common sense and intuition. Lots of high end jewelry designers describe their gemstones as “flawless.” Hold the stones you are looking to buy up to that standard. If they seem flawless to you, then go ahead and get them. If your intuition tells you they aren’t, then avoid the temptation and pass them up. I didn’t heed this advice in the past, and I am now the proud owner of countless numbers of dinky, low quality gemstones that might as well be ball bearings. I keep them in a nice glass jar in the window.

Barbara Lee
http://www.gemellajewelry.com

Can any one tell me about different types of gemstone beads ?

hi

you want to know about the different types of gemstone beads like blue topaz beads, prehnite beads, green amethyst beads, amethyst gemstone beads, diamond beads, there are many gemstone beads are available in the market so first of all you can decide what you want then you can see the gemstone beads. i know one very good company which is supplier of gemstone beads you can visit this site.

http://www.ratnasagarjewels.com

Gemstone beads

8X8X5MM TREE AGATE GEMSTONE RONDELLE LOOSE BEAD 16 1/3″ $0.99

10MM RED AGATE FACETED ROUND GEMSTONE LOOSE BEADS 15″L $5.99

6MM 15 1/2″ NATURAL AUSTRALIAN JADE GEMSTONE ROUND BEADS $1.65

4MM 1STRAND AAA GRADE NATURAL RED SEA CORAL GEMSTONE ROUND LOOSE BEADS 16″ $0.99

6MM PURPLE JASPER GEMSTONE ROUND BEADS 16″ $0.99

4MM 15 1/2″ WOOD GRAIN JASPER GEMSTONE ROUND BEADS $0.99

4MM LEMON JADE GEMSTONE ROUND BEAD 15 1/2″ $0.99

14MM 9PCS RUSSIAN SERPENTINE GEMSTONE FACETED ROUND BEADS $0.99

1PC Opal Opalite Gemstone Pendulum Column Hexagon Bead Pendant Fit Necklace $1.37

12MM BEAUTIFUL AMETHYST GEMSTONE FACETED LOOSE BEADS 5″ $0.99

12X7X3MM 8″ NATURAL TOURMALINE GEMSTONE IRREGULAR BEADS $0.99

NATURAL OCEAN JASPER GEMSTONE PENDANT BEAD $0.99

5x8mm Hand Cut Labradorite Gemstone Tube Beads 13.5″ $0.99

BIG NATURAL GEMSTONE CRYSTAL QUARTZ FACETED CUBE BEADS 8 MM E9 $9.99

6MM 15 1/2″ NATURAL RED MALACHITE JASPER GEMSTONE ROUND BEADS $0.99

8mm faceted multi magnetic hematite cylinder beads16 Magnetic hematite cylinder beads. This strand is 16″ long, about 6x8mm….

Yellow Chalcedony Ice-Cream Cones - $65.00 Dimensions: 5.5″ String23 mm Avg Bead SizeAvg 11 Beads Per Strand …

Bundle Monster Crystal Hair Bling Extensions Gemstone Jewelry Strands – 7 Assorted Color Lot $11.50 Bundle Monster is offering the latest in hair accents, hair crystals are an innovative way to decorate your hair for parties, format events, clubbing and other get-togethers that require a little “bling”. This variety set comes with 7 single strands in the following colors: Blue, Iridescent Clear, Lavender, Clear, Yellow, Peridot, and Pink. Each strand hangs approximately 11″ long on a clear, f…

Raw Natural Amber Stone Gemstone Crystal Healing Rock Wiccan Supplies Not Tumbled $3.99 Amber is possibly the oldest stone used for human adornment. Amber beads and necklaces have been found dating back to 8000 B.C.E. Amber is often worn or carried as a protective talisman. It is also often used in combination with Jet to enhance magical effects. In healing, Amber has been used for the relief or prevention of convulsions, insanity, deafness, earache, headache, sore throat, and almost…

Conair Quick Gems Hair Jeweler, Purple $17.99 The art of attraction involves uniqueness. It’s the ability to aim an eye to your direction and to mesmerize the beholder. It’s a particular style, a hint of glitter that transcends the norm. Conair HJBC Quick Gems Hair Jeweler is an easy way to add glitter, color, and bling to any hair style to make even the common appearance radiate. It adds jewels to your hair! It’s quick, easy, fun. Viva La Di…

Smoky Quartz Plain Chewing Gum - $10.00 Dimensions: 14.0″ String12 mm Avg Bead Size29 Beads Per Strand …

HDE (TM) 3-in-1 Binocular Eyeglasses $4.50 These 3×28 eyeglasses style binocular offer all the benefits of standard binoculars plus 3 different modes: Myopia, Hyperopia, and normal optical. You’ll be able to view details of faraway objects as well as the objects right in front of you. These eyeglasses binoculars are so compact and lightweight you can take it with you anywhere….

HDE (TM) 7x-18mm Pocket Monocular $7.50 This 7×18 monocular offers all the benefits of standard 7x power Monoculars plus an extra close focus of only 10″. You’ll be able to view details of faraway objects as well as the objects right in front of you. This Monocular is so compact and lightweight you can take it with you anywhere….

Gino Jewelry Plastic Beads Duck Pendant Mobile Phone Charm Strap 2pcs $3.67 This Cell Phone Charm Strap with simulated little plastic beads knit duck pendant, make your cell phone more stylish and unique. Remark:This is a costume jewelry product made of simulated gemstone, not natural gemstone….

Unique and Sexy Seed Bead Rose Gemstone Sundress This Sexy halter top white Sun Dress is a definite must have this Spring/Summer! This dress is sexy, cool, and extremely lightweight! If you want to stand out and look the best, this dress shouldn’t be missed out on….