Essential Resources

Jasper, Red Creek

Miners were looking for turquoise when they found Red Creek jasper. The lovely red, green, yellow, blue-gray and black stone offers the perfect autumn/fall color combination for jewelry.

Lava

The raw power of a volcano capsulated in the palm of your hand. Lava rocks have numerous uses, loved in both jewelry-making and by metaphysical believers.

Chalcedony

Chalcedony is believed to be the stone of communication and makes a beautiful addition to jewelry designs. Learn more about this stone's meaning and properties in this informative Gem Note.

Quartz, Green

Green quartz, a rare stone in nature, has often been mistakenly referred to as "green amethyst." Learn all about this soothing green stone from its geological properties to proper care and even metaphysical properties such as how it is thought to awaken love, empathy and compassion.

Petrified Wood

Petrified wood is known as a stone of transformation and is thought to provide a window to the past. Find out even more about this stone and its meaning in jewelry in this informative Gem Note.

Shungite

What do Russia and Nobel Prizes have to do with Shungite? There's a very interesting and varied history with this folklore favorite.

Slate

Slate is believed to preserve you from weakness. Made from pressed mudstone, this stone is black due to plants or plankton, and may contain fossils.

Thulite

Thulite, the stone of the mythical north, is a recent discovery in terms of gemstones. Find out how this stone influences the metaphysical world, how to care for it, and more.

Zircon

The brilliant colors and fire of zircon make it a luscious choice for jewelry. Metaphysical practitioners believe that is useful as a sleep aid.

Amethyst, Moss

Discover the intriguing exclusivity of moss amethyst. A transparent to translucent purple gemstone with rutile like inclusions.

Grandidierite

A rare gemstone not typically found in jewelry design, discover the unique possibilities of your creations with grandidierite.

Amber

The popularity of richly colored amber has been growing even as it becomes harder and harder to find. After all, 50-million-year-old fossilized tree sap doesn't exist in infinite supplies.

Magnesite, White

The most commonly occurring color of magnesite is white, with an appearance similar to unglazed porcelain. The stone is often dyed and used as an economical substitute for turquoise.

Dumortierite

Because of the perceived similarities between dumortierite and sodalite or lapis lazuli, it is often used as a cost-saving substitute for lapis, which can cost two to three times as much.

Jade, Jadeite

Originally used thousands of years ago for ax heads, tools and ritual artifacts, it didn't take long before ancient civilizations noticed jadeite not only for its durability, but its beauty, too.

Agate, Blue

Like many other variations of agate, the color in blue agate is most often achieved through dyeing, although some blue agate, such as "Holley blue agate" occur naturally.

Agate, Blue Lace

Agate gemstones were originally used as amulets of healing. With its soft blue color, it's no surprise blue lace agate is said to be a soothing stone, too.

Topaz, Blue

Blue topaz is the color of water, making it a wonderful substitute for more expensive aquamarine. No wonder this popular gemstone has been used for centuries in jewelry!

Blackstone

Blackstone is a trade name for a variety of abundant black stones. According to metaphysical beliefs, many black stones are said to intensify the spiritual values of other gemstones.

Jade, Black

Black "jade" is actually grey serpentine that has been dyed to imitate black jadeite's beauty, without its cost.

Tigereye

Discover the history, metaphysical significance and unique tigereye properties of this captivating gemstone.

Chrysocolla

Chrysocolla is the gentlest of stones. Its main metaphysical role is to soothe and calm. Its color alone is relaxing with a deep blue-green that might remind you of a distant mountaintop.

Turquoise

Turquoise has been a treasured gemstone around the world, captivating imaginations for millennia. The beauty and history of this December birthstone is hard to match.

Larimar

Discover the fascinating story behind Larimar, from its remarkable discovery to the unique properties that make it one of the world’s most rare and captivating gemstones.

Opal

This article explores the history, properties, and varieties of opal—including precious, fire, and common opals—highlighting their beauty, symbolism, and uses in jewelry design.

Tourmaline

Tourmaline holds a special place in the hearts of jewelry designers and gem enthusiasts for its incredible amount of colors. No wonder it was thought tourmaline traveled along a rainbow.

Quartz, Rose

Rose quartz came to be known as the stone of love and reconciliation from the Greek myth about Aphrodite and Adonis. See why else this gemstone is ideal for Valentine's Day jewelry.

Pearl, Cultured Freshwater

Ancient myths tell of pearls formed when oysters opened their shells, rose to the water's surface, then were seeded by the morning sunlight and drops of dew.

Lapis Lazuli

Lapis lazuli is one of the oldest opaque gemstones in history--more than 6,500 years old! Valued since antiquity, lapis lazuli is a highly sought-after stone in jewelry designs.

Diamond

Diamonds may be everything from a girl's best friend or coal that stuck to its job—either way it's a gemstone with a mystique all its own, a symbol of stability and dependability in an ever-changing world..

Garnet

Garnet gemstones were used for an amazing amount of purposes: gifts of passion, protection of travelers, proclamation of royalty and, of course, stunning gemstone creation.

Citrine

From the earliest of times, citrine was called the "sun stone" and the gemstone was thought capable of holding sunlight.

Aquamarine

Aquamarine, whose name originates from the Italian word for seawater, embodies the splendor of the sea and was even thought to help protect those at sea.

Onyx, Black

How onyx got its name involves an intriguing myth including Cupid and Venus. Black onyx is a neutral gemstone, making ideal to combine with different colored stones and all metal tones.

Sapphire

It's amazing how many cultures throughout history valued sapphire, but it stands to reason since this precious gem is absolutely stunning with its rich hues—which include more than blue.

Carnelian

Carnelian was the stone of courage to the Romans, for the Egyptians it assisted the dead in their afterlife journey and in the Middle Ages was used to release energy of other stones.

How to Create a European 6-in-1 Chainmaille Weave

Learn to create one of the most common forms of chainmaille using these step-by-step instructions.

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How to Create the Cubic Right Angle Weave

Here's an easy solution to learning the cubic right-angle weave. Simply follow this illustrative guide and start designing today.

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How to Create the Russian Spiral Stitch

Learn a new seed bead technique! The Russian spiral stitch is yours to master with these instructions and enlarged images that help you see exactly what to do and where.

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How to Create 3 Different St. Petersburg Stitches

Learn the double St. Petersburg stitch with jewelry designer Rose. How-to video includes written instructions for making this decorative stitch.

Video Length 4:52

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How to Create Tubular Brick Stitch

Follow along as Rose demonstrates how easy it is to create the tubular brick stitch. With just a few supplies, you can turn this stitch into necklaces, bracelets, clasps and more!

Design Idea J414

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How to Create the Square Stitch

The square stitch is an integral seed bead stitch to add to your jewelry-making technique repertoire. These instructions don't cut corners, making sure you can master the stitch.

Design Idea J418

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How to Create a Japanese 6-in-1 Chainmaille Weave

For a less-than-linear look similar to the 4-in-1 Japanese chainmaille weave, design using this easy 6-in-1 method.

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Mounting

A jewelry setting designed for the placement of faceted gemstones or cabochons.

Filigree

Lace-like ornamental work of fine gold or silver wire.

Chain

A series of connected links, typically made of metal.

Applying a Counter Enamel and Top Coat of Glass Enamels

Learn how to apply counter enamel and a topcoat to metal for a smooth, durable finish that prevents warping and enhances your enameled jewelry designs.

Design Idea D91W

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How to Make a Spiral Kumihimo Braid

These simple, easy-to-understand instructions show how to make a spiral kumihimo braid. Illustrations with each step make this technique a piece of cake.

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