Types of Beads

Beading is a craft that is fast becoming popular. of various kinds, shapes and sizes are used to make artifacts, necklaces, bangles, earrings, pendants and so on. You would be amazed to know that there are beads available in various colors and hues that can be used for all kinds of beading projects and jewelry making. Listed below are the various types of beads that can be used in jewelry making or beading project.

Glass Beads

Glass beads come in vibrant colors and shapes and are very popular among children and adolescents. There are different kinds of glass beads ranging from Czech glass beads to lamp work beads to Millefiori beads to bumpy glass beads.  Do you know that glass beads are one of the oldest types of beads used since time immemorial? Glass beads are used to not only make jewelry but also to decorate serving bowls, vases and in fabrics to add beauty.

Natural Beads

Bone bead is one of the natural bead types that are popular among the youngsters today. The bone beads are carved out of the bones of animals. The most popular bone beads are made from ivory and they are very expensive. Jewelry made from natural beads add natural beauty to the wearer and blend with any outfit. Though originally, they were carved out of the ribs bones of elk. Today, the bone beads are commonly made from the bones of bison and water buffalo.

Wood Beads

Wood beads are used to make charm bracelets that are chic and stylish. This is in vogue among the youngsters. Wood beads are available in various shapes, sizes and hues. The wood beads are usually dyed in natural colors. These beads can be used to make necklaces, earrings and are at times used as buttons in dresses, mostly in ethnic wears.

Gemstone Beads

Another popular type of beads that are used by the jewelers is the gemstone beads. These beads are made from precious and semi-precious gemstones; are available in various shapes and sizes. The gemstone beads are popularly used to make necklaces, bangles, bracelets, earrings and pendants. The gemstone beads are also used as spacer beads by jewelers.

The other commonly used beads include metal beads, stone beads, pearls, and plastic beads.

Gold Filled Beads

Gold filled beads are coated with 14 karat gold. These beads are very popular among the budding and the seasoned jewelry makers. There are different types of gold filled beads available in the market. Gold filled beads are available in various sizes and shapes and are said to be jewelry maker’s delight.

One of the most common uses of gold filled beads is to be used as spacer beads in necklaces, bracelets and earrings. However, these days gold filled beads are used in designer wears. Gold filled beads are sewed to the end of the stoles, shawls and scarves. They add beauty and elegance to the dress materials. Gold filled beads are mostly used by Indian fashion designers on their ethnic wear collections. Therefore, there is a great demand for these beautiful beads.

Some of the popular types of gold filled beads include the gold filled corrugated beads, gold filled satin sandblast, gold filled fancy beads, gold filled round beads, stardust beads and many more.

Gold filled crimp beads are small and hollow those are mostly used to separate one bead from another. They are also used at the end of a necklace instead of a knot to help secure clasps. Another popular gold filled finding is the gold filled bead caps. These are fancy kind of beads usually in shape of flowers. It adds beauty and elegance to even a simple piece of jewelry. The gold filled bead caps are available in various shapes and sizes and these are usually used by the jewelry makers to prevent the two beads from rubbing against each other.

There are many online stores from where you can purchase your gold filled beads. Before you finalize on your purchases ensure to check out as many jewelry sites as possible. If you are a budding jewelry maker ensure to seek the advice of a seasoned jewelry maker to avoid losses. You can also walk into a physical jewelry shops to get the feel of the gold filled beads.

Alternative Properties of Pearls

Pearls are renowned for their beauty and widely used in jewelry. However, there is another facet to them. Pearls are believed to have metaphysical and miscellaneous properties. In China, pearls are used to cure maladies such as indigestion, fever, bleeding, cardiac problems, eye diseases and more. Many people use pearl powder as a cosmetic and to acquire fair complexion.

It is believed that pearls foster the qualities of faith, loyalty and truth. The pearl beads also bolster personal integrity. Many cultures use pearls to help women obtain feminine energy. People who wear pearl jewelry acquire an inner sense of calm. Experts believe that the pearl aids in balancing the human bodies hormone levels and natural rhythms.

Interestingly, pearls are believed to be tears of gods. Hence the qualities and blessings of god are believed to be transmitted to those who are lucky enough to wear pearl jewelry. Religious books have mentioned the magical and fascinating properties of pearls. Ancient Greeks believed pearls conveyed the beautiful emotion of love and extensively used them to their wedding ceremonies. Universally, pearl jewelry is revered across cultures and many positive attributes are ascribed to them.

About House of Gems

House of Gems, Inc started off in 1992 and has since emerged as a leading supplier and manufacturer of quality jewelry accessories offered at wholesale prices. We have an extensive network of manufacturers, designers and other direct suppliers which is leveraged to offer premium discounts to our esteemed customers.

You will be glad to note that the predominant amount of our goods are either manufactured or imported directly by us. Our pearls are gleaned and sourced directly from the world's largest fine fresh water pearl producers. From global jewelry hubs such as the USA, Italy and other countries we select and purchase directly the precious metal chains and jewelry findings from the best of best designers and manufacturers. Most of our sterling silver pendants and all the quintessential Bali style silver beads are designed and created in our very own factories.


We have our very own factories and craft shops. We import directly without being hindered by middlemen. Thus we are able to offer the best prices in the market on top quality products. We have leveraged the technology of e-commerce to bring our flawless products at reasonable wholesale rates directly to your homes.


House of Gems, Inc prides itself on its excellent customer service and values their patronage while simultaneously endeavoring to achieve superior quality standards along with affordable pricing. We stand poised to become a leader in the glamorous world of jewelry crafting and commerce. We synergize our operations to surpass customer expectations and etch out a great reputation in the jewelry business.


If you have any questions, please email us at: info@houseofgems.com


OUR ADDRESS:


HOUSE OF GEMS, INC.
DBA: WWW.HOUSEOFGEMS.COM
6970 ARAGON CIRCLE SUITE # 6
BUENA PARK, CA 90620
U.S.A.


Phone: (714) 523-2500
Toll Free: 877-GEMS-123. (877-4367-123)
Fax: 877-GEMS-112. (877-4367-112)

An Overview of Venetian Glass Beads

As Glass beads are one of the most ancient forms of human art and technology, they are considered to be anthropologically significant. They fall in to many categories depending upon the methods employed in the manipulation of glass. Venetian Beads that originated in Venice in the late 1800s are one of the most reputed types of glass beads. Even today, handcrafted beads of Venice are sold under the name of “Venetian Beads.”

There is a historical story connected with the origin of Venetian beads in Italy. Marco Polo, the most reputed merchant from the Venetian Republic brought gemstone beads from his travels. The glass workers of Venice found those gemstone beads to be astonishingly beautiful and came up with an idea of creating glass beads that gained so much of popularity and become popular across the world as “Venetian Beads.”

Ornamental beads of Venice are believed to manipulate the highest level of craftsmanship. People often say that, “If you love beads go to Venice.” There is no other place in the world that has a huge collection of a great variety of beads as that found in Venice. However, modern day people have the habit of ordering Venetian beads online, as they find internet shopping to be economical and time saving.

Venetian glass beads are known for their beauty, awesome colours and spectacular designs. They are artistically handcrafted to give a unique floral appearance. Glass bead making in Venice dates back to 1400s when prized beads were used as trading currencies in Africa and Europe. For the first time in history, they used a mandrel to fabricate the bead.

The most popular types of Venetian beads are Seed beads (Conterie), Rosetta or Chevron and Lampwork or Wound Beads or Perle a Lume Venetian Beads.

Venetian beads of very small sizes are referred to as seed beads. They created hollow tubes, which are then chopped and refined to make them smooth and colourful. Seed bead production was popular in Murano only in the early 1900s and the art in not existent today.

Canes known as Rosetta are used to make the so called Rosetta beads. They started manufacturing these types of beads in the 14th century. The production method involved the use of a hollow cane and six different coloured layers of glass that are then ground to get patterns of five concentric stars having twelve points. As they used to chop the cane, they got large quantities of beads for sale. Rosetta beads are the predecessors of today’s Murano Millefiori beads.

The artisans in Venice made the core of the Lume bead by wounding melting glass over a thin ferrous mandrel covered with silicon and clay mix. Sudden cooling caused the glass to contract slightly, making it easier for the bead to slide off the mandrel. As the heated glass is wound over the mandrel, they are also known as wound beads.

Glass bead making is an ancient form of art. Venetian beads are the well known type of glass beads that are known for their unique style, beauty, craftsmanship and intricate designs. Add Venetian beads to any of beaded piece and see how adorable the ornament looks.