Essential Resources

Discover the different links available and how to use these components in jewelry making to save time and create beautiful one-of-a-kind pieces.

Where do gemstones come from? Discover the origins of your favorite gemstones from around the world (or beyond).

Discover the reasons and techniques for cleaning enamel prior to application, through these simple illustrated instructions.

Explore some great ways to use cabochons in your jewelry projects.

"Plated" refers to a process in which a thin layer of precious metal, such as gold or silver, is applied to the surface of another metal. This technique is used to give jewelry and/or components the desirable appearance of being made entirely from a more expensive precious metal, while keeping costs lower. Plating enhances aesthetic appeal, prevents tarnishing and increases durability. However, plated jewelry requires special care to maintain its appearance, as the thin layer of precious metal can wear off over time with regular use.

Don't let your bolo or lariat necklace be incomplete. Design your piece from tip to focal with these creative cord finishing methods.

Love the look of crystal, but unsure which brand to shop? Discover the highlights of each of the top three crystal manufacturers.

Avoid color bleed in beads! Learn all about colorfastness, how to identify what jewelry-making supplies are colorfast and tips for protecting color in your creations.

Anodizing is a technique used in jewelry making to enhance the durability and color of metal pieces. By applying an electrolytic process, it thickens the metal's natural oxide layer, improving its resistance to wear and corrosion. This method allows for the introduction of vibrant, long-lasting colors to metals like aluminum, titanium, and silver, without the need for dyes, resulting in durable and aesthetically appealing jewelry.

Turn jewelry making into an art form with these 7 key design principles. Learn how balance, movement and more can inspire new heights of creativity.

The Federal Trade Commission Guides for the Jewelry Industry as revised April 10, 2001 are designed to prevent unfair or deceptive trade practices.

Discover the story of the Boss' Bead Bag, a unique mix of beads born from a serendipitous accident. Get your hands on a bundle of beading goodness in one grab bag!

Every design has a story. Learn how to share who you are and why you make jewelry so people can build a relationship with you and your work.

Discover the timeless allure of royal blue and draw inspiration for your most profound blue creations.

Optical properties refer to the way gemstones interact with light. Color, interference and inclusions are all examples of optical properties. The first optical property is also the most obvious--color.

Learn how the Bead Storage Solutions™ system from Elizabeth Ward can keep your beads and jewelry supplies organized with this informative guide.

Good light is so important when beading. Here are some ideas about lighting and other ways to improve the beading workspace.

Delve into our extensive jump ring resource. Here you'll find a wealth of information about one of the most versatile jewelry-making resources, from sizes and materials to chainmaille weaves.

No need to be a blacksmith to join metal to metal—you can use cold connections! Here are 6 ways to connect metals (or other materials) without using fire or electricity.

Glass beads have been a favorite jewelry-making supply for thousands of years. Learn about the ancient techniques used to craft various types of beads.

View this helpful guide to the top 7 ways to finish jewelry chain from our in-house jewelry-making experts.

Here's an easy guide to find awareness ribbon colors for causes close to your heart, along with product suggestions to design your own awareness jewelry using Crystal Passions® crystals.

Explore how to use geometric shapes for limitless design possibilities.

Read on to discover the differences between natural hematite and man-made Hemalyke™ beads and components.

Follow along as Patti shares her list top tools and materials every jewelry maker needs for various techniques.

Curious about silversmithing essentials? This article outlines key tools and their uses, giving you the knowledge to start your journey with confidence.

Toothpaste to clean jewelry? Indestructible diamonds? Join Leslie as she debunks these and ten other popular jewelry myths.

Patti demonstrates the Clover Quick Cut thread cutter and highlights its advantages.

Here's a helpful guide to the different styles of earring backs to ensure earrings stay in place.

We asked seven professional jewelry artists what tools are tops on their wish lists. Let this article help you grant wishes for the creatives in your life.

The modern locket takes a time-honored and traditional piece of jewelry and offers up fresh versions for the modern world. See what the locket's gotten up to these days.

Jewelry-making expert Tammy Honaman shows how to finish and polish metal jewelry.

Explore the many types of jewelry-making tools to help you find the right one for every project.

Take a deep dive into the marvelous cabochon and its sister the cameo. Learn about how they're created and dozens of ways a designer can use them.

Bezels are an ideal finding to use when you're working with cabochons and flat back crystals. Tammy Honaman, author and jewelry-making expert, is here to tell you all about them.

When jewelry makers encounter information about gemstones, they frequently discover where a stone is mined, what it's made of and the phrase "metaphysical properties." What is that information and how can a jewelry maker use it in designs?

Fall in love with lavender! See how these soothing shades can enhance your designs to create for a number of styles and timeless appeal.

Feeling all tangled up in a sea of rough, frayed thread? Thread conditioners could be just the solution you need to get back on course.

Color seasons have been applied to jewelry and fashion for decades. Find ways to match your designs to the 12 designations in this article.

Explore the world of loomwork, where every bead is a pixel in your artistic vision. Learn about the types of looms, materials and other resources you'll need to embark on this creative journey in this article.

Choosing the right metal to use in your jewelry involves balancing a number of factors beyond gold vs. silver. Get the lowdown on all materials metal.

Infuse your jewelry designs with the mystique of Chinese zodiac signs. Explore this article for the legends and fun facts behind each animal sign.

A term used to refer to a bead made of a carbon-based material. Many beads and other jewelry-making components comprised of pearl, wood, bone, horn and shell fall into this category. Also used to describe materials relating to or derived from living matter—for example, coral. Explore Organic products

Learn about the history of gemstones associated with each month and their coordinating crystal colors.

Use this handy chart to determine the number of beads per strand according to bead size and strand length, which can vary from batch to batch.

This detailed article explains the best adhesives for a variety of projects. Learn tips and techniques suited to your design needs.

Looking for wireworking pliers that won't mar wire or metal sheet? Jewelry-making expert Tammy Honaman shares pliers that won’t make marks on wire in this informative article.

Embrace a romantic sensibility for your wedding with the pastel mood wedding style.

Discover why designers and style-savvy patrons around the world are embracing the modernity of this controlled-color trend.

Different earring styles suit different needs, and the findings make all the difference! This handy guide explains the unique benefits of each type of earring finding.

Jewelry-making expert Sandra Lupo gives us the scoop on Beadalon® tools, including their banding pliers and improved Coiling Gizmo®. Learn all about these popular tools and tips for using them in this illustrated article.

See the results of an independent lab study on Comparison Testing of three types of coated beading wires.

Celestial Crystal® is our line of crystal beads and components. Explore a few of our favorites and discover how to bring their dazzling versatility to your jewelry designs.

Upcycling jewelry is an eco-minded trend that everyone can get behind. Just take existing materials and repurpose them into jewelry!

Looking to brush up on your understanding of geology? Dive into this informative article that explores the distinctions among rocks, minerals, crystals and gemstones.

Get excited about druzy jewelry! Adorned with tiny, glistening crystals, these gemstones have the potential to become the focal point of your latest jewelry masterpiece.

This article will teach you the best practices for preserving the beauty and quality of your gold- and silver-plated jewelry pieces over time.

Incorporating negative space into your jewelry designs adds a distinctive touch that will set your creative efforts apart. This article explains how.

Pearls are a classic that is always in style. This article gives you some pearls of wisdom concerning the different types of pearls, how to care for them and more.

Capitalize on the growing popularity of succulents' eye-catching aesthetic by using sculpted polymer clay to form plants sans soil.

Find everything you need know about jeweler's saws in this video and informative article. Learn the tips and tricks to using a jeweler's saw to get the design you want.

Ergonomics is the actions and equipment designed to prevent injury to the human body. This article explains why beaders and jewelry makers need to consider how repetitive motion, vibration and awkward posture can affect their health, productive ability and enjoyment of their craft.

Read what Paula S. Morgan of about.com has to say about Fire Mountain's Accu-Flex Professional-Quality Beading Wire in her expert review.

Learn how to create beautiful jewelry to flatter any face shape.

It's an old joke, in some circles: size doesn't matter. Yet, jewelry that doesn't fit simply doesn't get purchased. And if purchased, could get returned, with cost to the jewelry maker in both money and reputation. This is especially important for...

Discover Pantone's 2024 color choice, described as a “velvety, gentle peach tone, whose all-embracing spirit enriches mind, body, and soul.”

Astrological and zodiac jewelry continues to play to people's need for self-expression. Read on to find some of the latest ways to design with this trend.

How many times have you been working on a beading project, only to have your fingers and hands seize from cramping and fatigue, which force you to take a break?

Inlay jewelry is a beautiful way to display stones without the use of traditional setting techniques. Learn more about this exciting trend.

The tree of life is an ancient symbol that appears in numerous cultures the world over. Learn how to incorporate them into your designs for stylish results.

Keeping your jewelry well cared for and beautiful for years to come is just as important as designing it. All the info you'll need about the different maintenance supplies available to care for your treasures in is this article.

Etching copper with saltwater might sound like a magic trick, but it's actually simple science! Learn how to etch jewelry pieces with this video.

Explore the fascinating history of dichroic glass and learn ways to incorporate this iridescent wonder into your jewelry designs.

Jewelry-making expert Tammy Honaman explores work hardening metal in this informative article. Learn how to make gold, sterling silver, sterling silver-filled, copper, brass, bronze and nickel metal rigid or malleable to suit your design needs.

Learn what turquoise is, types of turquoise gems, typical gemological enhancements and buying tips for this popular blue-green gemstone.

Adding Greek letters to your personalized jewelry designs doesn't have to be a Herculean effort. With this handy chart, it's as easy as A-B-Γ.

Do you remember the saying: build a better mousetrap and the world will beat a path to your door? With Wubbers, Patti Bullard has invented a better set of pliers that jewelry makers are beating a path to.

What type of cutters are for which types of jewelry-making techniques? Nip over to this article to learn more about these essential tools of the trade.

Why make wind chimes with jewelry-making materials? Well, why not? Wind chimes provide a melodious tune and can be aesthetically pleasing--plus they make great gifts!

The first openly available resource for the beader and jewelry maker, the Beadmakers' Handbook includes bead-stringing designs and techniques. Download the free PDF and discover where it all began!

Discover interesting beading facts and new insights into the jewelry making industry with articles from Fire Mountain Gems and Beads. Article: All About Rhinestones

Delve into the psychology of color and learn how it can play an important role in jewelry design.

Explore the benefits and properties of this sturdy and stylish metal.

Bead reamers are an important tool. Use this helpful guide to choose the correct reamer for all your jewelry-making needs.

Learn all about clasps and how to use them in this handy guide.

What do the ancient Egyptians, Native Americans, 1970's celebrities and people today all have in common? A love of turquoise! This article highlights this gemstone's popularity throughout history.

Our buyers are experts in the field with years of accumulated training and maintain ongoing training of industry standards and availability of gemstone materials. This article is offered to create an understanding of the intricacies of gemstone...

One of the most important things in jewelry-making is having the right tools. Check out this handy guide to jewelry-making hand tools to learn the right tool for every job, ensuring a professional-looking finish every time.

Popular fashion is leaning toward blush hues for clothing, handbags and jewelry. Find design ideas and more in this article.

What does your choice of metal say about you? This article explores the meaning of different metals in jewelry designs to help you learn what your jewelry is saying.

(also called leaded crystal or leaded glass) A material used by adding small amounts of lead oxide to molten glass in order to change its properties. Crystal glass has a higher density and increased light refraction, creating brilliant sparkling effects when cut.

A form of plastic which can be molded into a variety of shapes, including beads, components and findings.

(see also Pony Bead) A bead cut from a tube of glass or plastic, then tumbled and polished to smooth the edges. Used on the bottom of cornrow braids, in fringe and for some Native American styles.

The unit of weight used for precious stones. One carat equals one-fifth of a gram. Also a measurement of fitness in gold. Pure gold is expressed as 24Kt.The term ''carat'' dates back to the traders of the ancient world. A standard weight was required for precious gems as merchants of the ancient Mediterranean and Middle East were dependent on the ability to trade with a reasonably consistent unit of measurement. It was this need that led to the adoption of seeds and grains as widespread units of measurement.The carob seed and the wheat grain, both of which had been used for food purposes were found to be ideal units of weight. For centuries the carob seed remained the weight measurement for precious gems. By the Middle Ages, however, changes in the trade routes had occurred and large centers of trade were now found within Europe. The carat, as it had become known, became linked to 4 grains Troy weight, with the carob seed having been abandoned at some point during the shift of trade centers. The Troy carat was the equivalent of approximately 205 milligrams. This measurement of weight lasted for the carat until the 20th century. It was between 1907-1914 that the carat was married to the metric system of weights. By 1914 the United States officially abandoned the former Troy measurement of 205.3 milligrams for the carat, and adopted the current metric carat measurement of 200 milligrams.

(see also Crimp and Crimp Tube) A short metal tube used with all beading wires and some beading cords to secure the beginning and to finish the end of a strand. The tube is pinched by a specialized Crimping Pliers to create a secure piece of folded or crimped metal. It is then covered by a Crimp Cover for reasons of aesthetics and wearing comfort.

Pliers with specially-designed grooved opening for folding, rolling and smoothing crimp beads and tubes. Crimping pliers create a smooth rounded or curved crimp, rather than the flat piece of metal created with other pliers.