FAQs

QUESTION:  How do I use a bottom clamp on? 

ANSWER:

QUESTION:  What are bead caps and how do I use them?  

ANSWER:  Bead caps are what the name implies... decorative caps for your beads.  

QUESTION:  What is Chalk Turquoise?

ANSWER: 

Stabilized turquoise - soft or "chalk" turquoise has been infused with a clear epoxy resin. The resin, under pressure, absorbs into the rock, which permanently hardens the rock and deepens the color. Unlike the collectible natural turquoise which deepens in color over time by gradually absorbing oils from the skin as it is worn, the colors in stabilized turquoise are permanent. Stabilized turquoise can be very beautiful, and is a good buy. 

There are five "kinds" of turquoise as described by law:

Natural turquoise - turquoise that is so hard and beautiful that it is simply mined, cut, polished and set into a piece of jewelry or carved into a fetish or sculpture. Less than 3% of all the turquoise on the market worldwide is natural.

Stabilized turquoise - soft or "chalk" turquoise has been infused with a clear epoxy resin. The resin, under pressure, absorbs into the rock, which permanently hardens the rock and deepens the color. Unlike the collectible natural turquoise which deepens in color over time by gradually absorbing oils from the skin as it is worn, the colors in stabilized turquoise are permanent. Stabilized turquoise can be very beautiful, and is a good buy.

Treated turquoise - soft or "chalk" turquoise that is stabilized as described above, except that the epoxy resin is also dyed. Colors in treated turquoise have a tendency to look artificial. 

Reconstituted turquoise - turquoise "chalk" that is very low grade and has been ground into powder, saturated with epoxy resin, dyed, and compressed into blocks or cakes to be cut into shapes for jewelry making. Prices should be most inexpensive.

Imitation turquoise - Stones like howlite (white stone, very porous) dyed to look like turquoise or pure plastic (epoxy resin) that has been dyed to look like turquoise. 

 

QUESTION:  How do I know how many beads I will need to create a piece of jewelry?

ANSWER:  Most adult women have wear a size 7" to 8" Bracelet.  Necklace sizes are usually 18" to 24" in length.  These are standard chain lengths.   Since most beads are in millimeters, keep in mind that there are 25.4mm in 1" or approximately four 6mm beads.  i.e., a 7" bracelet would require approximately 26 - 6mm rounds plus clasp. (Depending upon the type of clasp used)

Following is a conversion chart for your convenience:

CLICK HERE FOR A MILLIMETER TO CONVERSION CHART

QUESTION:  What can you tell me about birthstones?

ANSWER:  CLICK ON --->  BIRTHSTONE INFORMATION PAGE

If you have a question about a beading product, want to know how to use a specific kind of tool, what more information about a particular kind of jewelry making product, we will make every attempt to respond to your questions.  If we do not have the answer, we will research and provide you with an answer to the best of our abilities.  We welcome all questions - Send us an email at 

FAQ@beadseller.us 

and we will add it with an answer to our FAQs Pages.