Jewelry Making Resources | Fire Mountain Gems and Beads

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.

Design Idea PD36

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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.

Design Idea PD35

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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.

Design Idea PH2Y

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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.

Design Idea QD2G

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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.

Design Idea PK2U

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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.

Design Idea D34R

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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.

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Ask the Experts Crochet Q&A

Q: I would like to know what wire to use for bead crochet.

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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,

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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.