Jewelry Making Resources | Fire Mountain Gems and Beads

Ask the Experts Sterling Silver Q&A

Q: Hi, I was wondering if there is a way to tell if a bead is sterling silver or something else. Whatever they are they are solid, nothing scratches off. Thanks

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Ask the Experts Lengthening a Choker Q&A

Q: OOPS! Should have tried on the choker I was making before I added the bar/ring toggle, crimped, and cut the wire--it is too tight! Any suggestions for "extending" the length of a necklace without removing the toggle? I'd hate to re-string it as it was a very intricate (time-consuming) project. Next time, I'll measure twice, cut once!

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Ask the Experts Knotting Q&A

Q: I am looking to make a necklace where the beads are on the thread but not connected to other beads or spacers. Do I just need to knot around the bead or do I need to do something different to hold it in place?

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Ask the Experts Add-a-Bead Chain Q&A

Q: What is "Add-a-bead chain"? What technique secrets apply to this type of chain?

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Ask the Experts Mother-of-Pearl Q&A

Q: Can I dye white mother of pearl beads with Rit dye? What do I cover them with to keep the color from transferring? Thanks!

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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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Ask the Experts Extender/Safety Chain Q&A

Q: What do I need to add to my bracelet designs to keep them from falling off and being lost—my customers are asking and I want to be able to offer them a solution. Thanks.

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Ask the Experts The Best Knot for Donuts Q&A

Q: What is the best knot to use for putting a donut onto a cord so it hangs properly?

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Ask the Experts Release Q&A

Q: I was wondering if you need any kind of release with the flex molds? I'm thinking for PMC you'd want to oil them, but what about resin?

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How to Use the Hot-Fix Heater™ Tool

The Hot-Fix Heater™ rhinestone applicator streamlines the process of applying rhinestuds. Let these clear and concise instructions be your guide.

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Ask the Experts Making a Twisted Necklace Q&A

Q: What is the correct technique to make a twisted 3- or 2-strand necklace without unraveling the strands? What is the best beading wire to use? It's driving me nuts trying to figure it out.

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Ask the Experts Patina Q&A

Q: Instead of Liver of Sulfur, will using muriatic acid in small amounts to oxidize metal make the metal brittle? I like the gunmetal look I achieved in gold- and silver-plated chains but am unsure how long the patina will last. Thanks.

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Ask the Experts Cleaning Q&A

Q: How do I clean my pliers and wire cutters? They have become rusty and old looking.

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Ask the Experts Genuine Q&A

Q: How do you tell the difference between a cameo that is carved out of a single piece of shell, and one that has the image glued onto the background?

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Ask the Experts Securing Powercord® Q&A

Q: How do you tie off an elastic cord, as in a bracelet?

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Ask the Experts Avoid Marring Wire Q&A

Q: When I'm working with wire, I notice my tools are leaving marks behind. How can I avoid marring the wire?

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Ask the Experts Using French Wire Q&A

Q: What is French wire and how do you use it?

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Ask the Experts Pearls, Dyed Q&A

Q: Is the color on dyed pearls permanent?

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Ask the Experts Wire-Wrapping Q&A

Q: What is the best wire for a beginner to use for wire wrapping?

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Single-Strand Necklace

Bright seed bead rocailles frame a brilliant Crystal Passions® pear with a beautiful iridescent rainbow for a gorgeous pendant necklace.

Design Idea PH36

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How to Create a Loop in Loop Chain

Craft delicate, intricate and exhilarating chain designs. These user-friendly instructions will guide you in creating your own custom links.

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Ask the Experts Hinged Earwires Q&A

Q: I purchased a pair of hammered sterling silver earrings online for my daughter. The earrings have a bar closure that broke off (the bar and hinge). I have made a lot of jewelry myself. I tried to replace them with something similar, but could not find anything here on line. How can I repair them?

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Using TierraCast® BeadAligners™ with Large-Hole Beads

Discover how to use TierraCast™ Bead Aligners™—with or without Mini Bead Huggers™—to create secure, stunning designs by following these simple instructions.

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Ask the Experts Repair Q&A

Q: When I restick rhinestones with jewelry cement they lose their sparkle. Why is this? Does the stone need some sort of coating or a special glue?

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Ask the Experts Cleaning and Polishing Q&A

Q: I have trouble with gold/silver filled findings darkening over time. What can I use on them to keep them shiny as if new?

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Three Techniques for Fusing Glass Frit

Glass frit can be fused into glasswork shapes for jewelry, décor, gift items and more. This tutorial offers glass fusing tips and techniques.

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Ask the Experts Art Shows Q&A

Q: I am interested in selling jewelry at craft fairs and shows. I will need to have a pretty large inventory of necklaces, bracelets and earrings. What do you recommend as a good amount of inventory for a fair or show? Thank you!

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Ask the Experts Measurements Q&A

Q: How can I tell what gauge chain a necklace is made of? I want to buy a chain that is the same gauge, but don't know what it is!

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Ask the Experts Conversion Q&A

Q: I have a pair of post earrings that I want to make into dangles but there is no hole. How do I do that?

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Ask the Experts Clay Q&A

Q: What is the easiest way to get Vitrium out of a mold? Thanks.

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Ask the Experts Allergies Q&A

Q: Is titanium a good metal for someone with allergies?

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Ask the Experts Natural Q&A

Q: I made a necklace that was almost entirely wood beads. I made it in the winter. This summer the wood swelled and the necklace was too tight to hang right. Now it is winter again and the beads have shrunk back and the necklace is wearable. Any way to address this issue? It is making me shy away from using wood beads.

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Ask the Experts Cabochon Settings Q&A

Q: Can you use bezel cups inside cab settings? If yes, which ones?

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Ask the Experts Forming Q&A

Q: I want to make my own pins using various wire and different gauges of wire, copper, sterling, etc. These pins would be made using one continuous piece of wire. What is the best way to sharpen the pin end?

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Ask the Experts Wire Q&A

Q: I'd like to make a very small simple wire chain base for a charm bracelet. Can size 30-34 gauge wire work?

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Ask the Experts Gemstone Treatment Guide Q&A

Q: What do all the initials in parenthesis after the gemstones mean--example coral (IMIT). Thank you, is it listed in the catalog?

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Ask the Experts Jumprings Q&A

Q: I am a chain mail artist considering making my own sterling silver jump rings. Is the cost saving to buy sterling wire and make the rings myself worth the effort? My preferences for wire are 16 and 18 gauge half-hard wire.

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Ask the Experts Stretchy Q&A

Q: I have been seeing watch bands made with beads and safety pins and they just stretch. What would be a good choice of stringing material to use so the safety pin will not break it and it stretches.

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Ask the Experts Findings/Accu-Guard™ Wire Protectors Q&A

Q: Can I use the wire guardian as the hook for my clasp?

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Ask the Experts Briolettes Q&A

Q: I purchased a string of tourmaline briolettes with the holes cut at the top from Fire Mountain. I want to attach them to a gold filled chain (like a string of fish) for earrings. The problem is the holes are much too small to attach with head pins. I have the 26 gauge gold-filled wire from your catalog--but in a dilemma to get the half-hard or full-hard through to make the twisted loop attachment?

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Ask the Experts Firing Q&A

Q: I want to make a bracelet that is not a bangle but one that doesn't touch each side. What can I use to mold and fire on?

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Ask the Experts Cord ends Q&A

Q: My beaded design is strung on Accu-Flex® wire. I'd like to attach the wire end to several inches of leather or rubber cord before I attach the clasp. I know how to make the connection at the clasp, but what should I use to connect the wire to the cord? I've been looking at cord tips; some have holes, some have loops.

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Setting Up a Safe Torch Firing Area

Ensure your success and prioritize safety when firing enamel with a torch by following these comprehensive instructions. Craft stunning enamel jewelry with confidence and precision.

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Ask the Experts Stringing with FireLine® Q&A

Q: I've been using Accu-Flex® wire in my necklace and bracelet projects, but I'd like to explore other stringing materials. In particular, I'd like to know how to select the appropriate weight of FireLine® and how to finish off ends attractively and appropriately.

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Ask the Experts Ethics Q&A

Q: When I use a pattern found in a magazine, how do I get permission to sell or teach that pattern?

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Ask the Experts Beaded Q&A

Q: I am looking for a pattern or tutorial to make beaded beads with size 11 or 15 seed beads. Can you help? Thank you.

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Ask the Experts Stringing Glass Beads Q&A

Q: What type of string or cord should I use for glass beads? I have glass bunnies and other beads but don't know how to get started for a bracelet or necklace. Help!!

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Dry Sifted Enamel Techniques

Explore the art of dry sifting enamel. Learn how wet paper stenciling and sgraffito can create stunning, intricate designs with professional results.

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