Essential Resources

Obsidian, Snowflake

Snowflake obsidian is striking in its appearance and is also a durable gemstone--making the spotted obsidian popular for use as a "worry stone" as well as a beautiful addition to jewelry.

Quartz, Snow

Snow quartz looks pure and fresh as newly fallen snow. Snow quartz is associated with innocence, which is why wearing it is said to help give a child-like perspective free of cynicism.

Spinel

Did you know there are ruby-like spinels in the English Crown Jewels? How about that spinel can be red, pink, blue, purple and even black?

How to Use Cord Caps

Learn how to create a professional finish to designs using multiple cords with this step-by-step tutorial for using cord caps.

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Using a Stop Bead

Follow along with instructions for how to use a stop bead to keep beads on the thread when starting any off-loom stitch. The stop bead is temporary and easy to remove.

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Ring Mount Instructions

Learn how to glue a cabochon into a closed-back ring setting with this tutorial. Clear images demonstrate each step in this how-to.

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Jasper, Autumn

Autumn jasper is the variety known for its mottled warm brick red and avocado green appearance: imagine pumpkins, red maple leaves and a long leisurely walk through the country.

Jasper, Tigerskin

Tigerskin "jasper" is a perfect choice for earthy jewelry styles. Its contrasting swirls and stripes of tan, yellow and yellowish brown create a tawny stone that's so rich looking its decadent.

Tiger Iron

Tiger iron is actually three gemstones in one. With the associations of the three component stones, tiger iron is ideal for men's designs, without reducing popularity in women's jewelry.

Onyx, Striped

Combine the richness of cream and a whisper of green, then swirl golden tan and brown tones in--you'll have the delectable look of striped onyx. A stunning stone for autumn jewelry!

Sardonyx

Used as a stone of strength and protection since ancient times, sardonyx is associated with courage, happiness and clear communication. It's a favorite for men's and autumnal jewelry, too.

Tanzanite

Rarer than diamonds and almost as famous, tanzanite has skyrocketed in popularity. You'll want to learn about the gem and start designing now as deposits could run dry!

Discover Natural Materials for Jewelry Designs

Learn all about bone, horn, wood, nut and shell materials and how they can be incorporated into jewelry for natural designs.

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Agate, Tree

Just as dappled forests may bring calmness, it's said tree agate can bring a sense of peace and inner tranquility to those who wear jewelry featuring the gemstone.

Quartz, Tourmalinated

You know quartz is a gemstone, but what does tourmalinated mean? It's what gives this gemstone its distinct and sophisticated color scheme that's loved in women's and men's jewelry designs.

Aventurine

Though there isn't a "D" in the name, aventurine gemstones makes wearers think "adventure." Think optimism. Think bountiful. Think jewelry-making opportunity!

Agate, White

White agate is believed to be a stone of balance and release. According to metaphysical beliefs, this agate gemstone helps harmonize feminine and masculine sides.

Jasper, White

White jasper has a bright, clean opaque white appearance. According to metaphysical properties, white jasper lifts spirits and brings joy, nurturing our inner desire for calmness.

Mother-of-Pearl, White

Especially popular in Victorian-inspired jewelry designs, mother-of-pearl shell is often seen as cameos, but it isn't just for feminine jewelry, as it is a favorite for cuff links and tie tacks.

Moonstone, White

Beneath the soft shimmering surface of moonstone gemstones surges a deeper, lovelier beauty: a white "moon"-like sheen that rolls over the stone as it is rotated or catches the light.

Quartz, Yellow "Jade"

Yellow "jade" is not a true jade or jadeite stone. Instead, it is a trade name for a cloudy quartz with a pale to mid-dark yellow coloration--sometimes all in the same piece--and it is beautiful!

Jasper, Zebra

It's time to get designing! Zebra jasper motivates us to move out of apathy into action. It helps us avoid over-thinking and encourages us to just enjoy the experience of living.

Azurite-Malachite

Azurite-malachite is a blend of two distinct and popular gems: azurite and malachite. United as azurite-malachite, the gemstone is said to calm anxiety in wearers.

Zoisite

A perfect gemstone for artists, writers and jewelry designers, zoisite is said to have creative energy. Ruby in zoisite varieties especially are said to help artists and their art become one.

Septarian

Each septarian specimen is unique with an ancient quality that makes them a joy to use in jewelry. They look fantastic and have a plethora of beneficial metaphysical abilities, too.

Quartz, Solar

Solar quartz is a rare formation of white crystalline quartz with some druzy inclusions and beautiful natural orbicular patterns that may have green or brown moss-like inclusions.

Chrysanthemum Stone

Chrysanthemum stone blends the beauty of both earth and moon. It contains the rich dark brown color of soil and the golden glow of moonlight.

Obsidian, Golden Sheen

Black and gold are a timeless pairing--and golden sheen obsidian proves their elegance. Additionally, the reflective nature of obsidian makes it a favorite for self-reflective meditation.

Rhyolite

Rhyolite gets its name from the Greek words for "stream" and "stone," which may seem like counterintuitive concepts, but how this gemstone forms actually makes sense with its name.

Riverstone

Riverstone is light tan to light brown and is a favorite neutral in jewelry. The stone takes pigment well and is often dyed. Luckily, the dyed stone still retains perceived metaphysical properties.

Opal, Ethiopian

Ethiopian opal has a milky white to light amber base coloring and displays the play of color that makes opals both famous and highly desired for jewelry.

Unakite

Unakite is a great stone for men's and unisex jewelry styles. It's a colorful choice that works with a range of metals and other materials due to its mix of cool and warm hues.

Prehnite

The gemstone with a dozen names, prehnite has been given numerous other names over the years. Whatever you call it though, the soft, soothing green gemstone is a delight for jewelry.

Pyrite

Due to pyrite's color, luster and high specific gravity, it has been mistaken for gold, hence the nickname: fool's gold. But don't be fooled into thinking pyrite isn't perfect for jewelry!

Tektite

Looking to design with a gemstone that's out of this world? Tektite is a form of natural glass that forms not from the heat of volcanoes, but from atmospheric friction on meteorites.

Vesuvianite

Vesuvianite jewelry has been used as a gift to newlyweds due to its connotations as a cooperative stone that facilitates awareness of one's heart and an ability to express love.

Angelite

With "angel" in its name, it's no surprise soft-blue angelite gemstones have perceived metaphysical abilities related to improving spirituality and bringing about a peaceful energy.

Soapstone

Soapstone is incredibly soft, which makes it a perfect stone for carving. Natural soapstone tends to have light shades of gray, green or brown, making it ideal for autumn-themed jewelry.

Jet

Jet is an ideal addition to feminine, masculine and unisex jewelry. Black has been fashion's staple color for a reason. It's smart, sophisticated and goes with literally everything.

Cinnabar

Cinnabar is an ore and a crystal, a variant of quicksilver--what medieval alchemists called the element mercury. Cinnabar is considered a powerful stone both physically and metaphysically.

Zirconia, Cubic

Cubic zirconia (referred to as CZ) is a lab-grown gemstone, but don't let that taint your feelings on this gorgeous diamond simulant that actually is said to still possess metaphysical traits.

Autumn Hickoryite

According to metaphysical beliefs, autumn hickoryite stimulates imaginative thinking and a desire for adventure. Perhaps a desire for jewelry-making adventures?

Selenite

Selenite gemstones are the perfect addition to any jewelry palette. Need an angelic-looking stone for bridal jewelry? Evening wear jewelry? Maybe Christmas? Selenite does it all!

Mica

In jewelry-making, mica is most commonly found in a powder form used to create colorful, pearly and beautifully shiny accents on polymer clay, resins or other surfaces.

Crazy Horse™ Stone (Calcite)

Crazy Horse™ stone is the trade name for a calcite showcasing a distinct appearance of brown, grey and tan with some mauve and pink color combinations.

Kyanite

Kyanite gets its name from the Greek term for blue, which it certainly is! Kyanite is one of the most attractive blue minerals, exhibiting intense blue or multiple shades in a single crystal.

Lepidolite

With its variety of pinkish rose to purple hues along with other shades, lepidolite offers incredible tonal flexibility in jewelry designs, pairing well with other gemstones and metal tones.

Cuprite

If Cuprite had a theme song, it would be "I Will Survive" by Gloria Gaynor since this intriguing green and deep-red gemstone is the stone of survival due to its metaphysical abilities.

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