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Direct Links to popular gemstones and cabochons:
Amazonite
Opals, Boulder
Parrot Wing Understand mm sizes: Quick guide: 1" = 25mm 1/2"=13mm 1/4"=6.5mm Change can help: 1 quarter= 24.2 mm 1 dime= 18mm Both coins: 42mm |
These pearls are just wonderful. They're not the cultured saltwater pearls your grandma wore; and except for the blacks, they are not dyed or treated. They're freshwater pearls from China, and they come in a variety of natural colors, from pink, to mauve, a silvery color, to almost white. Because their color is natural, every strand is unique, and the tiny variations in color and shape are to be expected. For further information about evaluating pearls, click: Pearl Buying Tips. Finished Pearl Necklaces Unfinished Pearl Strands Half-Drilled Pearls Bouton (Blister) Pearls Info on Pearl Stringing
Pink Freshwater Pearl
Necklace GM 310 $350.00
These pearls offer exceptional value. While they can be treated like beads, all pearls benefit if knots are placed in between them to prevent the nacre from wearing off. Most of these can be knotted on a #2 silk cord. These strands all run about 16" in length. Knotted strands for all of these pearls will be approximately 18" long when finished. Click on photos to enlarge images. PRL6-p $32.00
PRL7A $42.00
PRL19 $28.00 PRL4 (7) $30.00 PRL18 $45.00  Special Value: Light Multicolored Freshwater Pearl StrandI got these to offer budget-minded buyers. The pearls are of different colors, but lack the contrast of higher-priced multicolored strands. They are pretty in their own way. Natural colors. 5½ mm round to button, 16" strand PRL-3 $16.00
Pink symmetrical, potato-shaped pearls, 6-7 mm, 16" strand In my estimation, these are really lovely pearls with a beautiful pink color and
luster.
Button Pearls If you don't need your pearls to be perfectly round, these are a fabulous alternative: They have outstanding natural color and a huge size (8.8mm). Their only "drawback" is their button shape. Click on photo to enlarge and see more detail. Prices are below.
Photo, strand at
far right: Shell Pink
button, 8.8mm 16" strand Above photo, middle: Very pale
pink button, 8.8mm 16" strand Shown at left in above photo:
Mauve button, 8.8mm 16" strand. This mauve strand has lovely
color, luster, and size--A great value if you don't need perfectly round pearls.
If you've never considered it before, you might want to think about using half-drilled pearls in your work. Solder on a short length of hardened wire, and you have an instant post to which you can glue a half-drilled pearl. Half-drilled pearls also make classy earring studs, and with the right finding, you can convert them into a pair of dangle earrings with your own fabricated or wire-wrapped pieces hanging beneath. The possibilities are endless.
Natural mauve pair 6.5-7mm, half-drilled To make instant earrings, mount these on gold or silver
posts with pearl cups.
It is tradition to string pearls on silk cords separated by knots. They don't have to be done this way--Just last week I saw a huge exhibit of jewelry (including many long pearl necklaces) at the Heard Museum in Phoenix, and not a single pearl was knotted because the artists didn't care for that look. But knotting serves the purpose of keeping the pearls from rubbing against each other, which can eventually wear off a bit of the nacre, the natural covering that gives the pearl its opalescence. A recent invention has made it easy for even novices to learn to knot pearl strands. It's a little hand tool called the "Tri-Cord Knotter," and it's available at most jewelry supply houses, includingRio Grande. You can also buy silk cord, french wires, clasps, and other findings there.
Previous Gemstone Page: Opals ô Next Gemstone Page: Purples & Blues ô Tips on buying gemstones, plus a gem directory: Designer Gems To review your purchases, click: Questions? Need a finished strand NOW? I might have it...E-Mail Me.
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Heart of Stone Studio Gemstones
Cabochons
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