Categories

Crow Bead

A bead cut from a tube of glass or plastic, then tumbled and polished to smooth the edges. Used on cornrow braids, fringe and in Native American styles.

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.

Crimp Tube

A metal bead or short metal tube used with all beading wires and some beading cords to secure the beginning and finish the end of a strand.

Crimping Pliers

Pliers with a grooved opening for folding, rolling and smoothing crimp beads and tubes. Crimping pliers create a smooth, rounded or curved crimp.

Crimp Clasp

Has structural crimps for attaching to the end of beading wire or cord with Crimping Pliers. Can include Hook-and-Eye, Lobster Claw and Magnetic Clasp styles.

Crimp Bead

A metal bead or short metal tube used with all beading wires and some beading cords to secure the beginning and finish the end of a strand.

Crimp

A metal bead or short metal tube used with all beading wires and some beading cords to secure the beginning and to finish the end of a strand.

Cord Coil

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

Cord

A thin, flexible length of twisted fibers.

Curb Chain

A form of chain with oval links that have been twisted, so that the entire chain lays flat.

Ice-Pick Bail

Similar to a prong bail, it will create a loop to attach a chain to when the prongs are closed into a cross-drilled pendant.

Cane Glass

Beads resembling old-fashioned candy sticks. Small canes of colored glass are fused together to create a larger rod, then coated with clear glass and fired.

Cone

Necklace terminator or beading finding used to bring multiple strands together at one point to attach a clasp or be part of the design.

Grow Your Own Jewelry Business

This article guides aspiring jewelry business owners through the process of growing their venture, from crafting a mission statement and business plan to marketing strategies, sales venues, customer service and more.

Component

A smaller, self-contained part used in jewelry-making and beading.

A Guide to Jewelry-Making Jargon

Though a bit confusing at first, jewelry-making jargon helps customers and artists communicate effectively. Take a look at this brief guide to some common phrases and descriptions.

Cameo

A carved gem or shell, in which the carved design stands out against a background of a different color.

Cultured Saltwater Pearl

Pearls created by a farmer, who inserts a "seed" of mother-of-pearl into a saltwater oyster. The oyster coats the seed with layers of nacre, creating a pearl.

Pearl, Cultured Freshwater

Pearls created by a farmer, who inserts a "seed" of mother-of-pearl into a freshwater oyster. The pearl oyster will coat the seed with nacre, creating a pearl.

Clasp

A fastener that connects two or more ends of a piece of jewelry together. Clasps can be utilitarian and purely functional, or embellished design elements.