Jewelry Making Resources | Fire Mountain Gems and Beads

Ask the Experts Stringing Q&A

Q: I use Beadalon 49-strand wire and 7-strand wire. What size crimps and wire protectors should I use on each size. Also, what size will I need using the 7-strand doubled?

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Ask the Experts Wire Q&A

Q: I am interested in making mobiles. I have used wire from hardware stores but would like to upgrade. Can you suggest a medium-grade wire for this purpose? I’m also concerned with changing color and rust.

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Ask the Experts Storage Q&A

Q: Will anti-tarnish bags also work on metal alloys or only on silver, gold and copper? Many of the beads, bead caps and other findings are made of a type of alloy and tend to "tarnish" after a time. Will the anti-tarnish bags stop or slow the process down on those also? Thank you.

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Ask the Experts Beading Q&A

Q: I’m having trouble with my seed bead fringe earrings. I’m always having an issue with curling. How do you keep them soft and flowy? I’m using Fireline 4lbs. Also it’s hard to find a balance between pulling them a little bit on the tighter side or having too much of a gap. Could it be the thread? What is the trick ?

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Rosary

The mystical, smoky hues of seraphinite make it a perfect gemstone for this rosary, which also features moonlight pearls and a silver-plated cross.

Design Idea RE2J

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Earrings

Create cabochons filled with love for your Breast Cancer Awareness jewelry, like these dainty earrings, which also feature a heartfelt awareness ribbon charm.

Design Idea QJ3R

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Gemstone Optical Properties

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.

Ethereal Jewelry

Ethereal jewelry, while soft and feminine, also portrays a sense of passion and intrigue. Learn more about this stunning trend.

How to Write Stunning Item Descriptions

Being a business owner comes with many hats--designer, PR specialistic, accountant, artist but also marketer. Giving products an artful and seductive description is a powerful tool.

Crystal (Glass)

A material made by adding lead oxide to molten glass. Crystal glass has high density and refraction, creating brilliant sparkle. Also leaded crystal or glass.

Carat

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.

Cord Coil

(see also Coil End) A wire coil bead with an end loop.

Coil End

(see also Cord Coil) A wire coil bead with an end loop.

Chevron Beads

Learn about chevron beads (also called rosetta beads or star beads). Explore their origins, evolution, and cultural significance in this enlightening article.

Chatelaine

A chain, pin or clasp worn at a woman's waist, to which trinkets, keys or other articles are attached. Also used for pins with two figures linked by a chain.

Ask the Experts Labeling Q&A

Q: With the precious metal market so volatile, I've been using some silver plated findings in my designs. On my cards I tell of what each piece is made. Is there a legal explanation required when you have a piece, say, 20% silver plate, 80% sterling or can I just say SP and Sterling or Sterling w SP and leave it at that? I don't want to mislead my customers but I also want to point out that the piece is mostly sterling. My cards are not large so space is limited.

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Ask the Experts Small Beads Q&A

Q: I have several strands of tiny 2.5mm diamond beads and am in a quandary as to the best way to string them. I've tried fishing line and extra fine beading wire, but I'm not satisfied with the results. I've also tried stringing them onto jump rings I made with 18K 30-gauge wire, but it made them look too spread out. Any suggestions?

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Ask the Experts Stone Q&A

Q: I am wondering how to drill small holes in certain pieces to accommodate certain designs. How would I drill holes in sterling silver or brass components? Also, how would I drill an extra hole in a pendant made of howlite? HELP!

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Ask the Experts Metals Q&A

Q: I'm hearing that aluminum is a good metal for jewelry chain. What are the benefits to using aluminum vs. sterling silver? Also, what is rhodium? Is it hypoallergenic? Thank you.

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Ask the Experts Business/Pricing Q&A

Q: I am new to the jewelry making business and have been interested in a business of my own since my work related accident, which forced me into early retirement. I was doing a web search for something that would help in my fixed income and I came across Fire Mountain Gems and Beads and decided that this would be something that I could do from my home. I am interested in both making and buying the pre-made jewelry. I would like to know something about the price point system, regarding the pre-made jewelry. If I buy the pre-made pieces of jewelry, what sort of price range would be the best? For example, if I buy a pre-made necklace, what would my price point be? Say if the pre-made pieces of jewelry at wholesale cost would be $5.34. Would I multiply the wholesale cost by 2, 3, 4 times the cost, or what percent would I mark up the necklace? If I decide to sell this necklace with a bracelet and earrings, what would the markup be on this set? Also, if I buy a set of 6 of the same kind that cost $7.42 for the set of 6 how would I break this down to each individual piece? I will be setting up at the flea market and craft shows and making up my website and ebay store. Thank you.

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Ask the Experts Cording Q&A

Q: Help! I'm trying to find cording that will knot well, is sturdy and visually appealing (like macrame) as much as the beads. I am making a Shekere, which is a percussion type instrument made from gourds. I will also need to know what size beads will fit with the diameter of the cord you recommend.Thank you so much!

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Ask the Experts Metal Allergies Q&A

Q: Which wire is best for people who have allergies to nickel? Also, which wires hold up the best with wear and tear?

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Ask the Experts Proper Gauge Wire for Wrapped Loops Q&A

Q: What gauge wire is recommended for making wrapped loops? I've tried the 22 and 24. They are too soft, for me, to work with. Would a lower gauge wire work best? I'm a newbie at this. Also, what would be the equivalent gauge size of a wire diameter of, say, .014 or .015"? I've seen only diameters of wires given, and I have no idea how to determine what the gauge would be.

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Ask the Experts Tennis Bracelet Stringing Material Q&A

Q: I saw a tennis bracelet pattern in Bead and Button book. I have made quite a few of them for gifts for my family although I used 6mm bicone crystals instead of the 4mm the instructions called for. The best one I've made so far was for myself, it was made using 6mm crystal AB. What I'm asking you is this: The pattern calls for mono filament beading thread. I am wondering if this line is going to get cut using the bicone crystals? Also, the pattern calls for a box clasp, mine keeps coming apart every time I wear it--what else can I use instead?

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