Introduction: Handmade Gemstone Jewelry & Rosaries

                                                                        Carved Jade Beads
 
The purpose of this blog is to share photos of jewelry and rosaries I have made out of gemstone beads.
Every piece is unique because I purchase beads in small lots (usually one 15 inch long strand) so there is usually just enough beads to make one necklace, one jewelry set (necklace with earrings), or a rosary.

                                                                   Carved Bone Beads


Sometimes I mix gemstone beads with non-gemstone beads, to add variety of colors and textures to the pieces and to give them visual contrast.  Non-gemstone beads are often lighter in weight and can help lighten the weight of a beaded piece.

Faceted Man Made Cats Eye Beads

The gemstone beads I use are made of many types of gemstones:

Agate
Alexandrite
Jade
Jadeite
Tourmaline
Larvakite
Aquamarine
Ruby
Fuchsite
Vesuvianite
Black Stone
Lignite (Black Amber)
Coral
Topaz
Opal
Bone
Lodolite (natural crystal)
Sapphire
Quartz
Chalcedony
Bronzite
Pietersite
Jasper
Mother of Pearl / Shell
Chrysoprase
Lepidolite
Marble
Sugalite
Purpleite
Morganite
Aventurine
Beryl
Amethyst
Ametrine
Hematite
Banded Ironstone (Tiger Iron)
Chrysoberyl
Moonstone
Tigereye
Biotite
Seeds
Garnet
Smoky Quartz
Sodalite
Gold Plated
Silver Plated
Peridot
Rhodium Plated
Wood
Onyx
Tekite
Cinder (lava stone)
Olivine
Kunzite
Obsidian
Apatite
Howlite
Lapis Lazuli
Carnelian

                                         Agate Beads Treated to produce a "Crackle" or "Frost" effect


Manmade Beads I use:

Rubber (glow-in-the-dark)
Opalite
Sand Quartz
Turquoise
Phoenix Stone
Acrylic / Resin
Pearl (glass, manmade)
Cats Eye
Mexican Opal
Crystal
Tibetan Silver
Stainless Steel
Copper
Bronze
Amber (Man Made)

                                               Man Made faceted "crystal" beads made from glass.
                                               These are treated to produce an "AB" shine

                                                          Horse Pendant made from Tibetan Silver

                                                     Transparent Acrylic Beads (Man Made)

                                                      Plum or Deep Rose Agate Beads

                                                           Baroque Crysoprase Beads

Chrysoprase is one of my favorite gemstones. 

                                                 Tree Agate Beads (Dendritic Agate)