Unleash your creativity with our insightful posts on various jewelry making techniques, tools, and trends. From beginner-friendly tips to advanced design ideas, our blog equips you with the knowledge and inspiration to craft stunning, one-of-a-kind pieces. Delve into the enchanting world of gemstone beads, as we explore their vibrant colors, unique properties, and metaphysical properties

Tag Archives: Gemstone beads

Rondelle Beads: A Wildly Popular Gemstone Bead Shape

rondelle beads in blue-and-purple-faceted-gemstones

Rondelle gemstone beads are characterized by their flattened, disk-like shape and rounded edges. This distinctive shape is achieved by cutting a gemstone in a manner that results in a circular bead with a wide diameter and a thinner profile. Typically, rondelle beads are drilled through their centers, allowing them to be strung together to create […]

Gemstone Quality and Grading System

Amethyst and Ametrine natural gemstone beads

Gemstone Classification First, we must learn how gemstones are grouped in order to understand their grading system. Gemstone beads are classified by three main categories: Precious gemstones exclusively allude to Diamonds, Rubies, Sapphires, and Emeralds. Synthetic gemstones are manmade stones such as Opalite and Goldstone. Lastly, semi-precious gemstone beads refer to all other gemstones that […]

Macrame: a Summer Classic!

A student at Beadworks during a macrame class using druzy gemstone beads

Macrame for Easy and Fun Projects! When you hear the word macrame, you might think of 70’s wall hangings and puka shells. I’m here to tell you that macrame can be modern and cool! It’s a great technique to incorporate into your handmade jewelry. Since it’s so easy to learn, it makes the perfect Summer […]