Are gemstone beads real?
There are certainly 100% natural gemstone beads and cabochons available, but there are also many imitations, manmade, dyed, or altered stones as well. Manmade gemstones are beautiful, and a great addition to any piece of jewelry, they just aren’t natural.
What is gemstone beads?
Gemstone beads are the perfect way to add natural beauty to any of your designs. Our gemstones are fashioned into beads in a variety of shapes that will have you inspired to create again and again. No two gemstones will be exactly alike because each one has its own unique combination of pattern and color.
What are the different grades of gemstone beads?
AAA is the highest grade while D is the lowest.
- AA – AAA grade gemstones beads are usually more expensive, higher quality, and near-perfect.
- A grade gemstone beads are considered good quality beads with slight inclusions.
What does semi precious stone beads mean?
“Precious” stone is an obsolete term which has been used to refer to diamonds, emeralds, sapphires and rubies. The term “Semi-precious” therefore, refers to gemstones which are not diamond, emerald, sapphire or ruby.
How can you tell if gem beads are fake?
Place the stone against your front teeth and rub it back and forth. Real stones have tiny imperfections on their surface, while manufactured glass will not. So, glass will feel smooth, while a real stone will feel gritty.
How do you identify gemstone beads?
Some stones are simply dyed, which is not always colorfast. One way to avoid getting caught with stones that “run” when they are worn, is to look at the cord or plastic line the beads are strung on. If the cord is stained with blotches the same color as the beads, then beware.
What can I use for stone beads?
Today, jewelry wire is the go-to material for most stringing projects. It is designed for stringing beads of all shapes and sizes. It is much stronger than typical stringing threads and cords. It is also fray-resistant, so designs with beads that have sharp edges, such as crystals and metal beads, will be more durable.
What is AAA beads?
AAA is the highest grade while D is the lowest. AA – AAA grade gemstones beads are usually more expensive, higher quality, and near-perfect. These gemstone beads are not usually color-enhanced and most of them are faceted cut.