Finding
A jewelry-making term for any metal component used to connect and/or assemble jewelry.
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Essential Resources
Flux
A liquid or paste used in metal soldering. Flux lowers the temperature of the metal surfaces to increase bonding and protect them from oxidization.
How to Use Magnifiers
Discover the art of using magnifiers in this informative video guide.
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Cat's Eye (Glass)
(also called Fiber Optic Glass) Created with manmade fiber optic glass, cat's eye refracts light in a way reminiscent of the oblong center of a cat's eye. This center appearance of movement is caused by chatoyance, which is defined as changeable luster or shine.
Flush-Cutting Pliers
Pliers used to trim headpins, eyepins, wire-wrapping wire and cable-style beading wire. The outside surface of the curved blades creates a flat, flush cut.
Cathedral Glass
Made by pressing glass into a steel mold, coating with color, then grinding and polishing every facet. The color coating remains on the ends of the beads.
Costume Jewelry
A category of jewelry is generally thought of as jewelry made from base metals, glass, plastics and other synthetics. It may also be comprised of shell, wood and other organic materials. Costume jewelry can be artisan-made or mass produced.
Crystal (Quartz)
(see also Quartz Crystal) Naturally occurring quartz in its clear or colorless form.
How to Clean Jewelry
Learn how to safely and effectively clean your jewelry using the right polishing cloths, liquid cleaners and maintenance tips to keep your pieces looking their best.
Riveting With a Tube or Crimp Tube
Learn the art of riveting with tubes or crimp tubes, a cold-joining technique that securely brings metal pieces together, creating a strong bond with flared ends and a precise hole – a crucial skill for your jewelry-making journey.
Sizing Rings on a Ring Mandrel
Jewelry-making expert Tammy Honaman demonstrates how to size ring bands without stones by using a ring mandrel and a hammer.
Creating and Designing with Links
Follow along with this video tutorial to learn how to use sew-on components as bracelet links.
Wrapping Stones and Beads with Half-Round Wire
Renowned jewelry artist Sandra Lupo demonstrates how to wire wrap a freeform stone in this video tutorial that also has written instructions so you can follow along whichever way you want.
Adding French Wire and Clasp to Silk Thread
Learn how to expertly incorporate French wire and clasps onto silk thread to elevate your jewelry designs.
How to Use an Ice-Pick Bail
Ice-pick bails may sound complicated, but using them isn’t! Learn how easy they are to use with pendants and other drilled components in this video.
Using Banding Pliers to Wire Wrap a Crystal Passions® Fancy Stone
Banding pliers are an essential tool for wireworking; learn how to use them to wrap stones in this informative video by Wyatt White.
What Are Promo Beads?
Discover the benefits of promo beads. These affordable, top-selling beads are promotional-quality gemstones that are typically C-grade quality with occasional surface or drilling imperfections.
How to Anneal Metal
Learn about annealing metal with award winning jewelry artist Lisa Pavelka. Includes tips on working with butane torches.
How to Make Your Own Jump Rings
Award-winning author, designer and instructor Lisa Pavelka is here to walk you through making your own jump rings from scratch! Learn several different tips on jump ring making.
How To Use Resin
Love the look of resin, but aren’t sure how to get started? Tammy Honaman demonstrates the beginning processes of resin in this video tutorial.
Polishing Metal with Lisa Pavelka
Finishing and polishing metal is an artform. Lisa Pavelka, jewelry-making expert, demonstrates how to select the right tools and products to get the job done correctly.
How to Make Sterling Silver French Ear Wire
Follow along as Lisa Pavelka, award-winning jewelry designer and author, demonstrates how to make French-style ear wires in sterling silver.
Fire Mountain Gems and Beads® Color Forecast
Inspired by a global panel of fashion insiders and style industry experts, our custom Color Forecast Reports give you a sneak peek at the color trends of upcoming fashion seasons.
Dangle Earrings: Jump Ring Solder Techniques
Follow along as Lisa Pavelka, award winning designer, artist and author, shows you the basics to soldering jump rings.
Making Jump Rings with Jump Ring Mandrels
You can learn how to make your own jump rings! Sandra Lupo, metalsmithing expert, shows how to use wire and a mandrel to form these jewelry-making powerhouses.
Product Spotlight: Boss' Bead Bag
Discover the endless design possibilities of the Boss' Bead Bag as jewelry designer Rose creates an eclectic Bohemian-style bracelet from miscellaneous pieces.
Firing Metal Clay with a Butane Torch
Award-winning artist Lisa Pavelka shares terminology, techniques and safety tips for firing metal clay with a butane torch.
How To use Anti-Tarnish Strips
Learn how to use anti-tarnish strips to keep your jewelry shining bright.
Learn How to Finish Elastic and Powercord® Jewelry
Learn how to finish elastic and Powercord® jewelry like a pro to create popular gemstone energy bracelets and more.
Sawing Metal
Learn tips and tricks on how to use a jeweler's saw blade on metal.
Using Crimp Tubes with Accu-Flex® Professional Quality Beading Wire
Professionally secure your Accu-Flex stringing designs with handy crimp tubes. Jewelry-making expert Tammy Honaman demonstrates how in this video tutorial.
Using Crimp Tubes with Cording
Watch as Tammy Honaman, author, jewelry-making expert and educator, shows how easy it can be to use crimp tubes with cord in jewelry designs.
Using Crimp Ends with Accu-Flex® Beading Wire
Crimp ends secure your beading wire and make it easy to add your favorite clasps. Jewelry-making expert Tammy Honaman walks you through how to use these handy little findings.
Securing a Donut with a Donut Bail
Turn a gemstone or glass donut into an eye-catching pendant with donut bails.
Making a Silk Thread Needle
Follow along to learn how to create a silk thread needle, a helpful technique when hand knotting pearls and other beads.
Making Beads with the Paper Bead Roller
Watch as Tammy Honaman demonstrates how easy it is to create paper beads with the paper bead roller tool and a little Mod Podge.
How to Use French Wire
French wire is a versatile finding known for protecting thread from wear and tear. Watch as designer Marlynn McNutt shows how to use it with Accu-Flex® wire.
Crochet with Wire: The Chain Stitch
Crocheting isn't just for yarn! Watch this video to learn how to use the chain stitch to incorporate beads and other items into your jewelry designs.
How to Use a Disc Cutter
Save time and effort with metal disc cutters! Watch Michael show how to use these handy tools to shape metal for your jewelry.
How to Use Ribbon Ends in Jewelry Designs
Finishing your ribbon jewelry is a snap with ribbon ends. Learn how in this helpful video.
Personalize Jewelry Using Steel Letter and Number Punches
Jewelry-making expert Tammy Honaman walks you through how to add the flair of personalization to metal jewelry with letter and number punches in this handy video.
How to Use a Ring Stretcher
Introducing our user-friendly Tabletop Ring Stretcher, perfect for effortlessly stretching rings up to half a size without the need for heating, making your jewelry crafting a breeze!
E6000® Adhesive Comparison
Learn the differences between these three 5-star rated E6000 adhesives to discover which will work best for your jewelry or embellishment projects: Jewelry and Bead™, Extreme Tack™ and Shoe Dazzle™.
How to Open and Lock a Link Lock
In this video, we'll show you how to effortlessly open and lock a Link Lock, providing a secure and solder-free solution for connecting and linking your favorite jewelry components.
DIY Earrings Using a Disc Cutter
Learn how to use the disc cutter tool with Award winning designer Lisa Pavelka as she creates a pair of crescent moon earrings
Using a Need A Bead Now™ Organizer Tote
The Need A Bead Now™ organizer tote is easy to use for storing jewelry supplies. Video hosted by internationally renowned polymer clay artist Judy Belcher.
Inserting a Saw Blade into a Jeweler's Saw Frame
Welcome, jewelry enthusiasts! In this video, we'll show you how to expertly insert a saw blade into a jeweler's saw frame, a must-have tool for precision metal sheet cutting in your jewelry-making endeavors.
How To Use The EUROTOOL® Stamp Holder
See how the EUROTOOL stamp holder keeps everything in place for stamped jewelry designs.
Using Memory Wire Finishing Pliers
Wyatt White from Beadalon® shows off a wonderful tool for working with memory wire. You'll wonder how you ever designed memory wire jewelry without them.
How to Use the Artistic Wire® Ring and Bracelet Finding Forms™
Wyatt from Beadalon® is here to show you how to make adjustable round rings and oval bangle bracelets with your favorite jewelry-making wire.
Perfect Knots with the Tin Cup Knotter from Beadalon®
Wyatt from Beadalon® demonstrates how the tin cup knotter makes quick-and-easy work of consistently spaced knots.
How to Use the Artistic Wire® Ear Wire Findings Form™
Wyatt, a special guest from Beadalon®, explains how to use the Artistic Wire® Ear Wire Findings Forms™ to create a unique dangle-style pair of earrings.
Basic Wire-Weaving Techniques
Want to get into wire weaving? This how-to video will teach you how three basic wire-weaving patterns.
Why You Need a Bead Reamer
Not all bead holes are created equal, which is why a bead reamer is a necessary jewelry-making tool. Just see how convenient (and easy) a reamer is to use for enlarging bead holes.
Basics to Kumihimo
Get creative with beads and the basics of kumihimo, a traditional Japanese braiding technique.
How to Make a Brick Seed Bead Stitch
The brick stitch is ideal for a myriad of seed bead patterns. Watch this video to learn how to incorporate it into your jewelry designs.
Create Your Own Crushed Stone Inlay Jewelry
Make your own gemstone inlay pendant by watching this quick how-to video.
What are Designer Quality Gemstones?
Learn more about our "designer quality" gemstones and what that means for you in this quick video.
Mod Podge® and Other Surface Sealants
Looking for a surface sealant to use on your jewelry projects? Watch as Chris explains some of the most popular jewelry sealants to help you get exactly what you need.
How to Create a Bullseye Cane Using Polymer Clay
Learn the basics of creating a bullseye cane with in-house jewelry designer Rose Wingenbach. It's so easy!
Purely Silk™ Thread
See why Purely Silk™ is considered one of the best jewelry threads for stringing gemstones and pearls in this product show-and-tell.
How to Use Bead and Pearl Reamers
Sometimes the most beautiful beads have the smallest, roughest drill holes. Watch to learn how to use different types of bead and pearl reamers to fix this common problem.
How to Create the Intermittent Stringing Technique
Watch and learn how to use the sophisticated and simple intermittent stringing technique, also know as a floating necklace, that showcases your beads by incorporating your beading wire into the design.
How to Use Bead Caps in Your Jewelry
Learn how to top off a bead using a bead cap for a finished and professional look.
Chalcedony
Various types of colored quartz, usually with a milky appearance, including carnelian, agate, cat's eye and jasper.
Choker
A tight-fitting necklace that is worn close to the base of the neck. May be plain or with pendants or ornamentation. Measures approximately 16 to 18 inches.
Cuff Link
A decorative closure used to fasten the two sides of a man's dress shirt sleeve. The finding is often hidden by a cabochon, carving or other design motif.
Cubic Zirconia
Synthetic gemstone developed in 1977 to simulate a diamond.
Cabochon
An undrilled gemstone with a smooth rounded top and a flat back. A cabochon is not faceted.
Bezels
The metal groove or flange holding a gemstone in its setting, or the slanting face of a cut gem.
Bayonet Clasp
A clasp which looks like a bead and has a narrow bayonet closure.
Box Setting
A box-like closed gem or stone setting.
Box Clasp
A clasp with a tab which is inserted into a decorative frame or box. Some styles come with safety latches or safety chains, which prevent the wedge-shaped tab from pulling out and the jewelry from dropping off. Some styles are accented with gemstones, enamel or inlay work. They are commonly used for lightweight necklaces, bracelets and anklets. Can include Bayonet Clasp, Bead Clasp and Filigree Clasp styles.
How to Use Accu-Guard™ Wire Protectors
Not quite sure how to use Accu-Guard wire protectors? This instructional video shows how easy it is to protect your jewelry from wear and tear.
Biwa
A cultured pearl originally non-nucleated, grown in a freshwater mussel from Lake Biwa in Japan. Only those actually produced there should be called Biwas.
Button Toggle Clasp
A clasp made of a matched set of buttons, one with a loop of cord. The leather is looped around the other button to close the clasp.
How to Use Screw-Tite Crimps™
Learn what makes Screw-Tite Crimps™ different and how to use them for a secure hold.
Beeswax
Wax used in beading to make the surface of a thread smooth and slightly sticky. This keeps fibers together and protects against fraying and water damage.
Brass
An alloy of copper and zinc which creates a metal with a bright gold-like color.
Barrel Clasp
A low-profile clasp with a threaded closure, which is twisted or screwed to open and to close. See also Bead, Screw and Torpedo Clasp styles.
Quartz Crystal A- Grade
Jewelry-making expert Stephanie Girdlestone is here to show you how sparkly and shiny A-grade quartz can be. Something you can't always get with just pictures.
Barrel Bead
A tubular bead which that is wider across the center and narrows at the ends, with a flat non-tapering end. It is shaped like an old wooden barrel.
Ask the Experts Cabs & Faceted Stones Q&A
Q: What is the difference between a gemstone setting designated "low profile" and a setting that does not have the low profile designation? If I have an 8mm stone can I use either setting?
Create Compliments® Jewelry
Enjoy a preview selection of elegant jewelry from the Create Compliments® Jewelry line exclusively available at Fire Mountain Gems and Beads.
Baroque Pearls
An irregularly shaped pearl, whether natural, cultured or manufactured. Can also refer to a highly- embellished artistic style from the 1600s to 1750s.
Why I Like Premo! Polymer Clay
Renowned polymer clay artist Christi Friesen explains her favorite qualities of Premo! polymer clay and why it's her top choice for clay creations.
How-To Use Bead Tips
Bead tips give jewelry designs a clean and professional finish. In this video, learn how to use bead tips to conceal and protect knots while creating a secure connection.
Maxi Shear Flush-Cutter by EUROTOOL®
Learn more about Xuron® Maxi-Shear™ flush cutter jewelry pliers in this informational video.
Xuron® Flush-Cutters
Xuron® deluxe flush-cutters made smooth, precise cuts on jewelry wire—even in tight spaces. Learn more about these American-made pliers in this informational video.
Bronze
An alloy of copper and tin which creates a metal with a dark golden-brown color.
Intro to Jump Rings
Jewelry-making expert Tamara Honaman shares how handy and versatile jump rings are for connecting components.
Bar-and-Ring Clasp
A two-piece clasp with a T-shaped bar and a loop. The loop is usually a circle, but sometimes other shapes are used. See also Toggle Clasp.
Bracelet
A form of jewelry worn around the wrist created from leather, fibers, plastics or metals. Some bracelets are used for medical or identification purposes.
Brooch Convertor
A finding used to convert a brooch into a pendant. Styles are available for horizontal or vertical pins.
Bolo
A necktie style popular in the American Southwest, created using a length of cord fastened with a clamping slide finding, and finished with metal bolo tip ends.
Bent Chain-Nose Pliers
Chain-nose pliers with bent jaws, used to reach into tight places or odd angles. The bent tips allow access into all areas without blocking the line of vision.
