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Knowing your Beads (April 07)
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 Fire PolishedBeads are machine cut faceted glass beads made in the Czech Republic. Glass making in the Czech Republic is an age old cottage industry. These beads are still made in small quantities by hand. Due to the way the glass is made, there may be slight color variation from one batch to the next. |
 Pressed GlassCome in a variety of colors and shapes. The shapes are formed when molten glass is pumped into the molds. |
 Semi-Precious StonesSemi-Precious Stones are gemstones created from materials that are a by-product of nature and have been shaped and polished for commercial use. Semi-Precious Stones are differentiated from Precious Stones based on beauty, rarity, durability, and hardness. |
 Seed BeadsGlass beads come in various sizes and hundreds of colors. Can be used as spacers, accents in strung jewelry and for beaded embroidery. #11 is the most common size although size 15 is smaller allowing for more detail. Toho and Miyuki are among the most common brands. |
 Swarovski Crystal BeadsMeticulously crafted in Austria to the highest standards of quality, Swarovski® crystal sets the standard. Swarovski® crystal is machine-cut, providing flawless consistency, and the rich color and captivating sparkle make any design unforgettable. |
 Magnetic HematiteManmade magnetic hematite colored glass beads are a fun and popular item. These are great beads to incorporate into your jewelry designs. |
 Wood BeadsWood beads are a great choice if you need to create inexpensive, but beautiful jewelry. Consider combining wood and bone beads for a truly unique and rustic look! Wood beads combine nicely in designs that use natural fiber stringing materials, such as cotton or suede. Wood and leather also come together nicely! |
 PearlsA smooth, lustrous, variously colored deposit, chiefly calcium carbonate, formed around a grain of sand or other foreign matter in the shells of certain mollusks and valued as a gem. Pearls come in a variety of shapes and colors and in both freshwater and saltwater. |
Crystal A glass, silica, lime and soda composition with lead added to brighten and intensify the colors and clarity. Most are machine cut. Swarovski however are a higher quality precision cut crystal. Crystal is available in bicone, round, drop, cube and rondelle along with fancy shapes such as butterflies, hearts and flowers. |
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