Dec 7, 2022 | Stone Beads
The stunning red garnet is the birthstone of people born in the chilly days of January. Not to be confused with the brighter ruby, this bewitching gemstone is brimming with beading potential. To tap into this power, let’s dig deeper into garnet’s history and composition and learn some of the best ways to show it off in handcrafted jewelry projects.
What Is Garnet?
Garnet is a neosilicate mineral that has been used as a gemstone since the Bronze Age. It comes in almost every color imaginable depending on which impurities are present in the stone. Wine red is the most common color and blue is the rarest.
Garnets are most commonly found in countries in the southern hemisphere, including Kenya, Tanzania, India, and Madagascar. Some can also be found in Russia, Canada, and the United States. Its name comes from the word “gernet,” a Middle English term meaning dark red. It’s theorized that this word may be related to the word “pomegranate,” a fruit that is similar in color to garnet gemstones.
As a darker gem, garnet can be worn with many outfits both formal and casual. It looks best when worn with elegant, timeless styles that complement its stately appearance, but it’s versatile enough to fit into anyone’s wardrobe.
Crafting with Garnet
Garnet is much more understated than most of the other birthstones commonly used today. Its rich blood red color is captivating, but it must be used skillfully to bring out its beauty.
However, real garnet beads can be very expensive, and that’s when for people looking to embellish their jewelry with their birth color, the rhinestone beads in garnet color come to the rescue. Our gold plated rhinestone garnet ball bead is a perfect example. String a few of these beads onto a wire with some gold-filled beads between them as spacers and you’ll have a strikingly beautiful piece at a fraction of the cot, that can be enjoyed for years to come.
Garnet color pendants are also great for making statement jewelry. Our Swarovski crystal garnet heart pendant is particularly striking with its blood-red coloring. That deep shade not only resembles the color of a real human heart but also recalls feelings of lasting love and connection. Gold filled beads and sterling silver beads both look great next to these garnet color pendants/
Pearl beads also pair very well with garnet. Their soft shine and pale color contrast very well with the gem while still retaining the subtle look that suits garnet best.
Add Some Gorgeous Garnet Color Beads to Your Cart Today
Pick up some garnet color beads from our online bead supply store today to get started making beautiful garnet jewelry today.
Nov 21, 2022 | GOLD FILLED BEADS, JEWELRY MAKING SUPPLIES
In our last post on gold-filled beads, we promised to cover even more types of beads in our next post. We’re back, and this time we’ll be covering the fancier gold beads that you can use to take your holiday gift projects to the next level. Ready to dive even deeper into the world of gold-filled beads? Let’s get started.
6. Gold Plated Alphabet Beads
Gold-plated alphabet beads are a more upscale version of basic plastic alphabet beads. They are usually cube-shaped and display the same single letter on all four sides without a hole in them.
While most adults prefer more sophisticated styles, these beads are great for making gifts for young children and those who are young at heart. Use them to spell out your recipient’s name or initials or write a short, fun phrase that you know has a special meaning for them.
7. Gold-Filled Charms
Gold-filled charms are technically not beads, but they are an integral part of many beading projects all the same. These small bits of shiny golden metal come in the shape of suns, cats, dolphins, seashells, and much more. If you can imagine it, there’s probably a charm version of it available!
Gold-filled charms are a classic way to add some sophisticated playfulness to jewelry or sewing projects. Many crafters purchase many different charms to create charm bracelets that match the recipient’s tastes and interests. They can also be added to necklaces, earrings, bookmarks, keyrings, zipper pulls, Christmas stockings, and much more.
8. Gold Filled Drop Beads
Gold-filled drop beads are long slender gold beads with a hole in the tapered end. They come in a range of different shapes and sizes, with most being roughly teardrop-shaped. They may be smooth and shiny or accentuated with textural elements like patterns and grooves for decoration.
Gold-filled drop beads are often used to create a pendant effect on smaller items like beaded earrings. They can also be used as embellishments on embroidery projects or to create a fringe-like effect on necklaces and bracelets. Their unusual shape really makes them stand out!
9. Gold-Filled Cap Beads
Cap beads are special shaped beads that can be used to add some extra flair to one or both sides of a special bead, charm, or stone on a piece of jewelry. They typically work best when applied to round items, but some are shaped to accommodate long beads and stones as well.
Cap beads can be used to great effect in almost any piece, but they should be used sparingly. Try adding them to the pendant bead on the end of some beaded earrings or to the accent beads on a bracelet. You’ll be amazed at how much such a simple addition can make those focal elements pop.
10. Gold Filled Stardust Beads
Gold-filled stardust beads are beads with a fine pebbled texture applied to their surface. They offer a more delicate and luxurious appearance compared to your typical twisted or corrugated texture and are perfect for adding a little sparkle to your holiday projects.
Because stardust beads come in all shapes and sizes, they can be used for almost any purpose you can think of. They work especially well when placed alongside plainer beads that don’t draw as much attention to themselves. These simple companion beads give stardust beads the room they need to shine.
Buy Bulk Gold Filled Beads Online at Crystal Findings
There really is a gold filled bead for every purpose, and no matter which kind you’re looking for, you’re sure to find it at our bead supply store. Take the time to browse our extensive catalog and find the right beads to make some truly special Christmas gifts. Not only will they look great, but your loved ones will cherish them for years to come.
Dec 3, 2018 | JEWELRY MAKING SUPPLIES
If you are a jewelry designer, you need to make sure that all of your jewelry-making needs are met. By taking this approach, you can release all of your creative energies and create more custom jewelry. In turn, you will find that jewelry-making can be an enjoyable and rewarding occupation or hobby.
What Do You Want to Display in Your Jewelry Creations?
When making a selection of jewelry accessories, think about what you want to include in your designs. Some of the items that you want to consider include Swarovski crystal beads and pendants, as well as unique items, such as star beads, hematite beads, and dice beads. That way, you can personalize each of your jewelry orders to fit your customers’ tastes and preferences.
If you find gold filled beads wholesale, that is good, too. This way you can keep your costs low and take advantage of creating a large range of beautiful designs. Maybe you want to produce a large amount of one jewelry item. If so, you will want to make sure you stock up on bulk jewelry making supplies.
Consider Buying in Bulk if You Produce a Volume of Pieces
When you buy in bulk, you can enjoy discounts that you do not realize when you buy separately. Therefore, find out what jewelry is well-liked by your customers, and you can place bulk orders with more confidence.
Beading supplies online are available in great styles and designs. Therefore, you can select just what you want to ensure success as a designer. You just need to think about your demographic. While some customers will respond well to sterling silver beads and findings, other customers will like creations made in gold.
For instance, if your customers exude a more Bohemian look, you will find that it is better to choose sterling silver collections and accessories. On the other hand, if you customer base consists of people who like traditionally styled jewelry, you will discover that most of your purchases will usually be directed toward gold or crystal.
Determine What Your Customer Likes the Best
Indeed, it is fun to make selections for jewelry designs once you determine the main preferences of your customers. If you want to create personalized looks—such as name jewelry—you may be interested in glass alphabet beads or alphabet beads made of gold plating or sterling silver. You just need to determine the quantity that you need for your project, regardless of the product.
For example, you can choose beads that come in 12, 25, 50, or 100 pieces per package. Again, if you can order in bulk, you can reduce your overall pricing. If you are a craft seller and not a designer, you may want to ask about wholesale purchases.
Make It Your Goal to Meet Your Customers’ Requirements
As you can see, making jewelry involves a great deal of business sense. That is why you need to consider your customers’ needs and preferences first. Making the customer happy will make it possible for you to shortlist your jewelry making selections and make wiser purchase decisions.
Oct 5, 2018 | JEWELRY MAKING SUPPLIES
The use of metals for jewelry has existed for as long as the start of human civilization. Metals in jewelry were already used in ancient Greek, Roman, and Egyptian civilization. Since then, jewelry making has become so popular that there are many less expensive alternatives for precious metals right now like
gold filled beads.
While there are a lot of different metals known to us, not all of them can be used to make jewelry. Among the most precious metals that are used in crafting jewelry are gold, platinum, and silver. They have a huge economic value and they are considered more valuable than most other metals.
Any kind of metals used in jewelry making that is not one of the three mentioned above is categorized as non-precious metals. While gold filled beads are cheaper, they are not really behind in terms of quality. In some cases, to get the best of both precious and non-precious metal features, they are mixed and termed as an alloy.
If you are studying about the different metals you can use for jewelry making while planning your designs, take a look at this list of metals and their major characteristics.
#1 – Platinum
Compared to other metals, platinum would be the rarest and the most expensive one. It even has a higher preciousness rate compared to gold. Platinum looks very similar to silver and it is mainly characterized by its heavy weight. The most common and popular use of platinum in terms of jewelry is for wedding or engagement rings, paired with diamonds.
#2 – Silver
One thing that makes silver preferred by most jewelry makers is that it can be soft and easy to work with when it is pure. It makes it easier when silver is mixed with copper so it is more pliable. There are many kinds of silver metals accepted as jewelry making materials like fine silver, nickel silver, and sterling silver. Sterling silver beads are very common in jewelry making.
#3 – Copper
Copper is characterized by its reddish brown color. Unlike precious metals, copper is often used as a base for gold filled beads and findings. Usually, copper is oxidized and it becomes like a green patina. The oxidized copper is called an antiqued copper plate and it is popular as a material used for making fashion jewelry.
#4 – Stainless Steel
Stainless steel would be the most popular and widely used material in the craft of jewelry making. It is more industrial-looking with an appearance that can be very similar to silver. It is resistant to scratches, but it may contain some nickel that can cause allergies in some people.
#5 – Gold
Among the metals mentioned here, gold is the best metal for making jewelry. Gold has always been considered beautiful. To make gold easy to work with, it is mixed with other high-quality metals like copper or zinc. Most fashion jewelry is made from gold filled beads and findings, a cheaper alternative containing around 5% of pure gold.
For a wide range of custom jewelry making supplies and beading supplies, visit www.crystalfindings.com.
