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.
Cloisonne
Enamel with surface decorations set in hollows formed by strips of wire welded to a metal plate.
Coil End
(see also Cord Coil) A wire coil bead with an end loop.
Celluloid
Thermoplastic material that was commonly used in jewelry before the invention of injection molding. Now used to simulate tortoiseshell.
Coil Bead
A bead created using coiled wire. Some styles can be pinched like a crimp bead.
Chevron Beads
Learn about chevron beads (also called rosetta beads or star beads). Explore their origins, evolution, and cultural significance in this enlightening article.
Chaton
A particular shape of cut glass or crystal, most commonly known as Crystal Passions® rhinestones. A chaton has a faceted, pavillion-shaped (pointed) bottom.
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.
Charms
Small ornaments worn as pendants or on bracelets.
Chain Tabs
A small, flat metal finding that is often hung on a piece of precious-metal jewelry and stamped as a "tag" identifying the precious metal content.
Chain-Nose Pliers
Pliers with flat gripping surfaces, used to reach into tight places, at difficult angles, to grip components, bend wire and stabilize a design while working.
Accurate Measuring in Jewelry-Making
Learn how to save time and money by taking the guesswork out of wireworking and metalsmithing by learning how to accurately measure. In this article jewelry-making expert Sandra Lupo teaches us how to accurately measure for jewelry-making success.
Multi-Strand Bracelet
Step out in style with this multi-gemstone bracelet featuring Celestial Crystal® beads and gold-plated accents.
Earrings
Adorn yourself with elegance in these stunning multi-gemstone dangle earrings, featuring a graceful gradual cascade of colorful beads with exquisite gold-plated accents.
A Guide to Bails
Ever wonder what a bail is? How do you use it and what should you look for to find what you need for your designs? All of that has been compiled in one handy location.
Earrings
Pink and gold dazzle together in an earring design featuring Sculpey® PREMO clays and gold leaf sheet. Wire twists form breast cancer ribbon symbols.
Earrings
Craft dainty earrings flowing with the cool, serene hues of the ocean. Monogrammed discs add a personal touch to enhance the beauty of this work of art.
Single-Strand Necklace and Earring Set
Transform your style with our mesmerizing necklace and earring set showcasing Preciosa Czech crystals in light sapphire, sapphire, and cobalt blue, beautifully paired with a fashionable paperclip chain and gold-finished brass accents.
A Dozen Ways to End a Necklace
Sometimes it's not easy to know how to end a necklace, especially when there are so many ways that you can start it. Well take a breath of relief, here are a dozen ways to help you.
A Sterling Reputation: Is Your Piece Fine or Sterling Silver?
Determining whether a piece of jewelry is fine or sterling silver can make or break a sale. Learn six different ways to test a piece of jewelry before and after you buy.
Earrings
Cleverly using Czech glass flower beads as the ends of a wrapper, this delicious-looking butterscotch earring set looks sweet enough to eat.
Ask the Experts Hot-Fix Crystals Q&A
Q: Can garments which have been embellished with hot fix rhinestones be ironed safely? Or will the heat of the ironing cause them to un-adhere? I would be ironing at synthetic or silk settings, not at high.
Ask the Experts Crochet Q&A
Q: I would like to know what wire to use for bead crochet.
Ask the Experts Gemstones Q&A
Q: I recently collected a lot of small stones and pebbles on the beach and want to wire wrap them and turn them into pendants. However, after the stones dried, they lost some of the appeal that made me pick them up in the first place. How can I treat the stones to give them the ''just out of the ocean'' look again? And I need this to be permanent and safe to wear. Thank you,
Jewelry Guide for Clothing Choices
In this article, you will learn how to make the most out of your jewelry by pairing it with complementary outfits.
History of Seed Beads: Japan
Part two on the history of Japanese seed bead industry. Find out how Japanese beads came to be regarded with such acclaim by beaders around the world.
Fun, Festive and Easy Holiday Earrings
Celebrate the Christmas spirit in style with this merry collection of holiday earring designs. Use these sparkling ideas for sales, accessorizing and gifts.
History of Seed Beads
Trace the lineage of seed beads from their origins in clay and shell to the glorious heights achieved as the glassmaking industry refined the trade across the globe.
How to Make Bracelets with Bugle Beads and Seed Beads
Long twisted bugle beads fill these bracelets with fiery colors—make your own using the full written instructions courtesy of Preciosa®.