Gemstone beads are made by cutting and shaping semi precious gemstones into round, oval, nugget, half-moon or irregular shape beads. Semi precious gem...
Gemstone beads are made by cutting and shaping semi precious gemstones into round,
oval, nugget, half-moon or irregular shape beads. Semi precious gemstones are natural treasures of the Earth that come infused with countless shades and hues from the Earth’s palette. They are featured in diverse sizes and shapes. Semi precious gemstones differ from precious gemstones like diamond, pearl, sapphire, ruby and emerald, as they have flaws. Softer and chip prone gemstones have relatively shorter lives.
Semi precious stone beads were first used in France some 38,000 years ago as currency and in ornaments. Today, gemstone beads are widely used to make designer jewelry and adorn accessories. They can be purchased in single strand or chain forms or in large wholesale packages from online or local vendors. They are very affordable because they are made of inexpensive semi precious gemstones. Their prices vary with the transparency, weight and color rarity of the semi precious stone used in them.
Gemstone beads feature popular semi precious stones such as Clear Topaz, Purple Amethyst, Green Peridot, deep red Garnet and black or transparent Tourmaline stones. They may also feature Blue Topaz stones or Yellow Citrine stones. While the former is obtained by chemically treating Clear Topaz, the latter is attained by chemically treating the Amethyst semi precious stone. Fire opal, Light blue Aquamarine, Red and Dalmatian Jasper, Green or yellow Jade, Topaz Fluorite, Amazonite, Lemon Topaz, Blackstone, Red Aventurine, Snow flake obsidian, Rose quartz, Turquoise, Onyx green, Carnelian, earthy Unakite and Blue Sodalite are the other semi precious stones used to make these beads.
These beads can be used to make beautiful bracelets, earrings or necklaces. Gemstone bead jewelry can be used to assert one’s personality for self-expression. Today these gemstone bead ornaments are in fashion. For formal occasions, individuals usually use the round or oval bead variety, as these are well polished and exude a sophisticated appearance. The plainer versions of these beads may be used for a sober look or in light reflecting faceted versions for a very glossy lustrous effect.
The large half-moon and nugget shaped beads are ideal for making chunky jewelry, which is a craze amid the modern youth. In today’s times of environmental protection consciousness, gemstone beaded jewelry with chip like unpolished earthy looking beads in multiple colors are very popular. The jewelry is often made using a single hue of semi precious gemstones or by intermingling varied hued stones for a mind boggling visual effect.
The round beads are usually 4mm, 6mm, 8mm, 10mm or 15mm in diameter. Chips are available in 6-inch or 16-inch strands.
The powers of semi precious stones to heal ailments, bring forth emotional and economic welfare, impart mental peace and their spiritual significance have been accepted long ago. Gemstone beaded jewelry is also worn by many people for these reasons.
Since beaded semi-precious gemstones are available in shades akin to precious stones, these can easily be used as a low cost exact shade alternative especially in jewelry, albeit ersatz, in place of precious gemstones of corresponding shades. Red garnet beads can replace ruby, moonstone can serve as an alternative to pearl, jade, peridot or green tourmaline can replace emerald and citrine can replace yellow sapphire.
Besides jewelry, these semiprecious gemstone beads are ideal for accenting designer outfits, eveningwear, prom and wedding gowns as well as for embellishing high end clutches and purses. The cheaper reconstructed or dyed stone beads can be used for low-end daily use accessory decoration or for enhancing the appearance of home ornaments and art and craft projects.
