Jewelry Making Resources | Fire Mountain Gems and Beads

Ask the Experts Large-Hole Beads Q&A

Q: Is there any way to make the hole of a moderately sized bead smaller so it will work well on a headpin or Accu-FlexÂ® beading wire?

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Ask the Experts Glass Pearls Q&A

Q: I love to use vintage glass pearls in my pieces, but very often these old pearls have a coating that is flaking off. While it adds to the character of the piece, I worry that, with wear, the coating will come off entirely. Is there some way to seal the pearls to prevent more of the coating coming off? I've seen Designaseal mentioned in many of these articles--is it appropriate for glass pearls, or will it destroy the coating? Thank you!

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Ask the Experts Cabochons Q&A

Q: Several cabochon gemstones and paua shells do not exactly fit the settings I purchased for their size. How do I shave down the edges to make them fit?

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Ask the Experts Paper Beads Q&A

Q: I am winding paper that is sparkly on one side and smooth on the other and when I go to glue it I can't get it to adhere and the bead becomes unwound. Help!

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Ask the Experts Design Q&A

Q: Is there a way to make quick-release drop earrings? In other words, can I buy one pair of earring findings and have a quick way of switching out one drop for another? Kind of like when you buy a watch face with several different colors/styles of bands?

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Ask the Experts Plating Q&A

Q: I have silver tone fashion jewelry that with only a few times of wearing it, the silver tone begins to rub off. I know they will not last a lifetime, but I can only wear them a few times before they look old and faded. I know this happens because of the oils on my skin and products I use. My question is the following, is there any type of silver tone or even sterling silver finish liquid or spray or even paint that you can brush on to "refinish" these pieces and make them look new again? Thank you!

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Ask the Experts Spacer Bars Q&A

Q: Hi, I am very new to beading and have run into a problem. I made a three strand bracelet and put 3 strand spacer bars (8995MB) into it. The back of the spacer bars look so lonely with the little strands of wire. Is there something I can use for that? Thank You.

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Ask the Experts Glue Removal Q&A

Q: I have dried glue on some of my tools. I'd like to know what to use to safely remove it. I'm also ordering your 'stuff' for dipping the tips for wireworking. When I have the tips coated, is that going to interfere with using them for future projects? If so, should I purchase a separate set?

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Ask the Experts Steel Wire Q&A

Q: I was surfing through a tool catalog and saw some rust- and corrosion-resistant 20 gauge x 25 foot mechanics wire with a 40 lb. maximum load capacity. It is Zinc-plated steel wire. I suppose the best question is..is it usable for jewelry and, if so, what about allergies. Thanks so much for your help.

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Ask the Experts Wire Q&A

Q: What is the difference between German Craft Wire and Artistic Craft Wire and which is better?

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Ask the Experts Metal Clay Q&A

Q: After firing metal clay earrings, I decided to try to bend a corner of one of them, and it snapped off! Was it not fired long enough? Is there any way to make a new piece and fire it on the existing earring?

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Ask the Experts Clay Q&A

Q: During a recent shopping trip I bought three containers of what was grouped with the metal clay supplies in a local hobby and craft store. The product brand is Pardo, and the company website gives the product as the metal listed combined with beeswax to help hold shape until firing. Firing is supposed to be done in a home or convection oven at 266 degrees Fahrenheit (130 degrees Celsius) for 30 minutes per 1/4-inch thickness. I bought one jar of gold, one jar of silver and one jar of bronze. My questions: How does this product match up to the other metal clay products on the market? Could this product be fired using a torch instead of an oven? And how might this product stand up long-term in items crafted with any of the clays purchased? Thank you.

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Ask the Experts Wire Twister Q&A

Q: My wire keeps breaking when I am using my wire twister tool. Sometimes the wire breaks off in the twister and other times the folded end will break in the vice. This can happen after only a few twists. How can I keep my wire from breaking?

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Ask the Experts Design Q&A

Q: Hello, I am having a hard time getting my earrings to hang straight. They want to turn either to the right or left. Is it because I'm hand drilling the center of my brass? Thank you.

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Ask the Experts Kumihimo Q&A

Q: I'm trying to learn Kumihimo, but I'm not sure what kind of thread I should use. Do you have any suggestions for me?

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Earrings

Add a touch of holiday spirit to your look with our Christmas earrings featuring jolly Santa Claus charms, intricate lampworked glass beads, Crystal Passions®-enhanced lustrous Pearls, and dazzling elements.

Design Idea PG3M

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Ask the Experts Replacing Glued Rhinestones Q&A

Q: I have some pieces that have some rhinestones in them that don't look so good. I want to remove and replace them without damaging the metals, but it seems they are glued in. Is it possible to remove them?

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Ask the Experts Polymer Clay Q&A

Q: Can you put sand into polymer clay and bake it? I have someone who wants beads from a Florida trip made with sand.

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Ask the Experts Chain Measuring Q&A

Q: Chain tassels and fringe are really popular. I like to create them, but it is a serious pain to count links or measure multiple lengths of chain all the same length, especially tiny chain. Do you have a tip to simplify tassels and fringe?

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Ask the Experts Business Q&A

Q: What is a juried craft show?

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Ask the Experts Business Q&A

Q: I am fairly new to jewelry making (3 yrs.). I have been learning by making items from magazines and books. These items were gifts for friends and family. I recently started creating my own items. In a recent trip to a bead store, the shop owner liked my bangle bracelet. When I told them it was my own creation, they wanted to buy my instructions and teach it at their shop. Should I do that? If I do, how do I put a value on instructions? What am I giving up by doing that? I don't have a business. I eagerly await your reply. Thanks.

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Ask the Experts Resin Q&A

Q: What can be used to color resin? Also, what can be added to resin? What can be added to resin to give it a pearlized effect? Thanks.

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Ask the Experts Gemstones Q&A

Q: Are the value and quality of your gemstones comparable to that in jewelry stores that sell finished products?

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Ask the Experts Shows Q&A

Q: A friend of mine is a jewelry maker whose style is very different from mine. We both want to sell at the same local arts event, and she suggested we split a booth and sell together to save money. I'm not sure if I should take her up on this offer because of any hard feelings if one of us sells more than the other.

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Ask the Experts Solder Q&A

Q: First, how can I solder silver-filled pieces onto copper or brass without the alloys in the silver-filled showing? And for this reason, I'm assuming silver-filled CANNOT be annealed? Second, do some metals take longer to anneal than others? I'm new to jewelry making and will be working with copper, brass and sterling silver. Thank you for your time.

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Ask the Experts Jewelry Repair Q&A

Q: Is there a way to remove a crimp bead cover from a finished necklace? I used a 4mm crimp bead cover at the very end of my necklace. But I feel my necklace has little flexibility, and the toggle bar of my clasp does not move freely. I think removing the cover and replacing it with a smaller crimp bead cover might take care of the problem. Any other ideas what I could do without pulling my necklace apart?

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Ask the Experts Metal Sheets Q&A

Q: Thank you so much for providing answers to my many questions. I hadn't realized this was an option. I've been fascinated with Argentium, but I can't find much in the way of instructional materials. I have several questions for you, and I thank you in advance for taking time to answer.

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Bracelet

There are hearts a-plenty in this romantic charm bracelet. Even the sterling silver base chain has heart-shaped links for the ultimate love-themed accessory!

Design Idea PG3K

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Ask the Experts Testimonials Q&A

Q: A customer wrote me a very nice thank-you note recently. When I asked her if I could use it as a testimonial on my website, she said I could, but she only wanted me to use her initials. When I see a testimonial without a full name, it looks fake, but I'd like to post hers with just her initials because it's so positive. What do you suggest?

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Ask the Experts Tools Q&A

Q: I understand that tools such as pliers, etc. should be conditioned before use. How do I do this?

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Earrings

These dazzling Crystal Passions® beads and drops allow this beautiful earring set to fully capture the light and reflect a dazzling array of colors.

Design Idea PH33

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Ask the Experts Pearls Q&A

Q: How do I string pearls with silk thread, what size thread do I use and how do I attach a clasp? Also, what type of finding should be used? Thank you.

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Ask the Experts Wire Cutting Pliers Q&A

Q: Hi, Wire Cutters—Can you explain the difference between end cutter and flush cutter? Which cutter should I use to cut memory wire? Thank You.

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Ask the Experts Polymer Clay Q&A

Q: Can foil leaf be used on raw polyclay and then baked? If so, should it be covered with a thin sheet of translucent clay or glazed after baking? Can it be used in the mokume-gane technique?

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Single-Strand Necklace and Earring Set

Chunky chain combines with Crystal Passions® mystic black beads and electric pink cabochons for style that exudes punk vibes and sophistication alike.

Design Idea PH35

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Ask the Experts Settings Q&A

Q: I want to put a star sapphire into a ring setting. What needs to be done so that the back won't scratch during wearing?

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Single-Strand Necklace, Bracelet and Earring Set

Stay fashion-fresh with amazonite! This necklace, earring and bracelet set is designed around the contrast between the warm golden tones of the findings and the cool minty blue-green of the gemstone.

Design Idea QC25

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Ask the Experts Bending Q&A

Q: I would like to know the best method for bending silver tubing. Plumbers and jewelers must have a secret method. What is it?

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Earrings

Whether it's your Big Day or your bestie's, these glittering Czech crystal earrings are the perfect accessory to add sparkle and shine to the day's events.

Design Idea QD24

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Ask the Experts Stonesetting Q&A

Q: What tools should I use to stretch the Sterling silver bezel for a cabochon that has fallen out of it's setting? Which tool do I use to get the bezel down around the stone again?

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Ask the Experts Oxidizing Wire Q&A

Q: I would like to wirewrap gemstone rondelles and link them together to form a gemstone chain. I would like to use liver of sulfur to oxidize the chain. Is it safer to oxidize the wire before or after wirewrapping the gemstones beads into the chain?

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Ask the Experts Wire Q&A

Q: I like to make my own earwires and findings from sterling wire. I've heard of tumbling them to harden them, but is this necessary? If so, how do I go about doing that? What equipment do I need to strengthen sterling findings (without changing their texture)? Thank you!

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Ask the Experts Metal Stamping Q&A

Q: I just started metal stamping and am having some difficulties ... the stamps don't seem to be going through well enough to leave a good impression. If I hit it harder, though, it is bending the metal. Is the problem with the stamping blanks I am using, or are they all about the same?

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Ask the Experts Work Harden Q&A

Q: I am trying to use argentium wire for wire wrapping--I cannot straighten it--it has a mind of its own--should I anneal it?

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Ask the Experts Wire Q&A

Q: We make silverware jewelry. We like to use gemstones in the center of our bracelets. After wearing for awhile, the wire breaks. I have tried different wire, etc. but have not solved the problem. We use the half hard 24-gauge sterling. Another jeweler suggested we try using virgin silver wire and then tumbling our pieces to work-harden. How do you tumble the finished product without damaging the stones? I cannot figure out a way to tumble the piece without the stone set. Is there a product to cover and protect the stones, etc while polishing? Also, I have tried a few different methods trying to get a gloss on polished gemstones when they are not premium grade. Is there a product that we can use on a Ruby to add luster which will harden and not damage the stone? The last one I tried I thought was the answer, however, after a few weeks the surface seem to soften. Thanks.

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Ask the Experts Cutting Wire Q&A

Q: How do I cut soft aluminum wire (16 ga) to get a crisp cut? When I use my wire cutters, the ends get that squashed look, like when I cut cookie dough.

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Ask the Experts Cleaning and Polishing Gemstones Q&A

Q: Is there a simple way that I can increase the polished look of the commercial grade stone beads like the sodalite?

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Ask the Experts Power Cord Q&A

Q: I made a couple of gemstone chip bracelets on Power cord, but I don't like the way they turned out. The knot area, with a small dab of glue on it, is stiff and brittle. The cord seems to have "warped" and appears to be stretched out of shape. The chips slid on the cord easily so that would not seem to be the reason for this distortion of the cord. Help!

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