Wednesday, October 27, 2010

All you need to know about emerald beads

Emerald beads are an elegant component that can be used to create classy and hi-end jewelry for aficionados and jeweler alike. Following are basic guidelines on purchase and care of emerald beads.
Be it a plain string of graduated emerald beads or mixed with gold or silver charms, a necklace or bracelet with emerald beads is a sure eye-catcher. An emerald is a beautiful gemstone that belongs to the gem species beryl. It is the birthstone of people who are born in May or those belonging to the star sign Cancer. However you don’t necessarily have to be born in May or belong to a particular star sign to enjoy the beauty of this spectacular stone. Apart from its incredible beauty emerald is said to enhance love and contentment in a person. As the well known adage goes:

Who first beholds the light of day
In spring's sweet, flower month of May
And wears an emerald all her life
Shall be a loved and a loving wife.]

It is well-known for its healing properties, gazing at an emerald is supposed to soothe the eyes and it is even believed to cure epilepsy in children.

Though a lot of estate and expensive jewelry is made using cut stones, emerald beads are a fashion statement unto themselves. You can choose from a single strand graduated stone necklace or several rows of matched and graduated emerald beads to add pizzazz to that little black dress or evening gown- as the occasion demands.

A single emerald may set you back by a pretty penny, since it is rare to find clean gem-quality emeralds. However emerald beads are aplenty since this material is abundantly available in the market as it is not imperative for beads to be totally transparent.

So how do you go about choosing your emerald beads? Well, the ideal colour for an emerald is a pleasing deep-green; the colour of new leaves after a cleansing rainfall. However various tones may be present or the depth of colour may vary from stone to stone. While choosing your emerald beads from your jeweller or ordering them online, make sure all the beads in the string are evenly colored. Emerald beads wholesale at reasonable prices online and many wholesalers also allow for retail single-purchase orders. Genuine emerald beads can be bought online as several reputed companies have a presence on the Internet nowadays.

Large emerald beads, small and medium in a variety of sizes and shapes are available. For the more adventurous options such as cabochons (a stone with a flat surface and a domed polished top), carvings (stones carved as leaves, flowerets, with striations and designs on their surface), cut stones and drops (tear drop shaped stones with a hole drilled at one end or drilled through) are also available. Beads can be used innovatively in single or multiple strands as necklaces. A long string of small equal-sized emerald beads interspersed with several large silver tubes at intervals can be used as a bohemian chic lariat when worn wrapped twice around your neck or several times on your wrist. Cabochons and carvings are best left to a professional jeweller to set in gold or silver. These pieces are ideal for that custom made jewelry piece you have always dreamed of designing yourself.

Cleaning and Care
Emerald is a naturally brittle stone so cracks and fissures may be visible on the bead. Worry not! This is okay as most commercial grade emerald is buffed with oil or infused with natural or man-made fillers to reduce visibility of the cracks and fissures and enhance the look of the stones. However for the same reason it is very important to take care while cleaning emerald beads/jewelry containing them. Never put your emerald in an ultrasonic cleaner as it may cause the fissures to be filled with dirty cleaning liquid and ruin the stone. Sudden sharp blows or extreme temperature swings may also harm the stone. Therefore do not wear emeralds in Jacuzzis, steam and sauna baths. Avoid using harsh detergents to clean the stones. The best way to clean your emeralds is with a mild detergent and soft brush. Wash clean in tap water and never forget to dry your jewelry before putting it away. Always store your jewelry separately, ie; pieces should be kept well away from each other so that no stones rub amongst themselves thus causing scratches and damage to softer stones.

Friday, October 15, 2010

Black diamond beads- black beauty!

Everything related to black diamond beads, their nature, care and purchase. Tips on how to source genuine black diamond beads, large black diamond beads, carved black diamonds and many more.
Black diamond beads are capable of adding allure and charm to almost every piece of jewelry conceivable to man. Bracelets, necklaces, earrings, lariats and chokers- all could be interestingly fabricated using black diamond beads. These beads are available in a wide variety of colors apart from black.

Connoisseurs are also able to pick from numerous shapes such as smooth-finished ovals, drum-shaped cylinders, faceted crystals or cubes. Briolettes- that are faceted drop-shaped beads with a hole drilled at one or both ends are also a hit among jewelery designers and enthusiasts. These can be used to infuse elegance in long dangling earrings or add that finishing touch of color and class to necklaces. Genuine black diamond beads will have a bright lustre owing to the extreme hardness of diamond. Given the nature of diamonds not much precaution is required while handling or cleaning your jewelry. However like everything precious be gentle on the jewelry and use a good quality detergent and brush to clean your jewelry. Always dry your jewelry before storing it.

Wholesale black diamond beads are available in different sizes and in strands of varying lengths form 15 inches upwards. Every size from large black diamond beads down to the smallest chips is available for sale. A strand of matched, graduated genuine diamond beads could be a fitting replacement for the heirloom family pearls- and so much more durable too! In fact diamond being the hardest substance on earth there is very little by way of toughness that pearls can claim as opposed to it. That is not to take away credit from pearls, but wouldn’t it be great not to have any concerns about the annual restringing and care generally required of pearls!?

Black diamond beads are not only for jewelery designers and manufacturers. In fact is it very easy for do-it-yourself types who have a love of making their own jewellery to fabricate beautiful neckpieces out of diamond beads. These could be used in combination with gold, silver or other colored stone beads to make interesting and unique pieces for personal use or gifting. Neck clasps or hooks are available at your local jeweler or you could google for dealers in your area for the required raw material.

So now we come to the most important part of your foray into jewelry making- the sourcing of black diamond beads. The Internet is the answer to all our prayers so it seems. Wholesale black diamond beads are available with retailers and wholesalers on the web. It is now possible to place orders for genuine black diamond beads with these online stores from the comfort of your home. The order can be placed through their website, email or phone. Merchandise is shipped across the length and breadth of several continents at a cost. It is possible to view the gems online at the dealer’s website, or you could see them in real-time using a webcam or Skype. Black diamond beads wholesale at these website at attractive prices and have numerous choices for the discerning customer. Carved and loose black diamonds along with faceted black diamonds are also among the choices these suppliers offer.

For those who are not really the DIY types, these very same dealers offer wire jewellery made using diamond beads. Or you could always order and have your family jeweller string them up in a style that flatters you. One really can’t go wrong with this eternal gem- the diamond. It adds grace and lends charm to its wearer and as we all know it is forever.