Saturday, August 20, 2011

Choosing The Best Gemstone Beads For Your Jewelry Project

Gemstones, also called gems, precious stones and semi-precious stones, are pieces of attractive minerals. They are cut and polished and used in making jewelry and adornment. Many gemstones are hard, and there are also some soft ones that are also considered in jewelry making because of their physical properties and luster that bring aesthetic value to the finished product.

Beaded jewelry, especially those made of precious and semi-precious stones, are adoring to look at and wear. Most people love to create their own jewelry pieces using gemstones, but sometimes they become overwhelmed by the vast range of choices available. You know this should not be the case, because choosing the right kind of gemstone beads is a task which is simpler than you think it to be.

Precious and semi-precious stone beads such as pearl beads, opal beads, alloy beads, etc. come from natural and man-made sources. These are manufactured in different shapes and sizes and underwent various finishing techniques that influence their quality and worth as well. So before you can choose the right bead, it is important to have the basic knowledge about each of them. You can go to the internet and get the information that you want on these beads. There are many online bead shops that you can visit that offer the handiest tips on how to identify and choose quality gemstone beads.

One safe way of choosing and buying beads is on the basis of their grading, that is, how are they graded according to their value, shine, quality and color. Each bead type is placed under A, B, C or D, which is the lowest grade and may contain some flaws with regard to the quality and shine. The lower grade beads, when crafted into creative ornaments, can also look as equally stunning and beautiful as the Grade A gemstones.

Make your choice of bead depending upon the project that you will work on. For example, if you have a design for a pendant or a brooch, you might want to select rhinestone beads or cabochon. Sparkling rhinestones are among the most appealing of all jewelry beads. It has a noble and elegant characteristic, making it suitable to wear on almost any occasion. Rhinestones can be made into earrings, necklaces, and other pieces of jewelry. And for your bracelet project, there are good quality opal or jade, or flower European beads you can choose from. While it is always advisable to select Grade A gemstones, you can also explore other grades for making casual and cool accessories and trinkets.

Finally, do not forget that making a little consumer research is a great way to make sensible choices in selecting the right and the best kind of bead for your project. So set aside some time to visit online bead shops and find stores and merchants who can give you the best quality gemstone beads at cost-effective prices. Before making your purchase, make sure you get information about their store's policies in ordering, payment, shipping and delivery and also return policies. This will make your online buying experience a pleasant one.

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