Stone Beads Jewellery
Beads are one of the oldest forms of personal adornment known to man. Dating back to pre-historic times, mankind has been making and wearing Beads since time immemorial. The oldest known Beads were made from ostrich egg shell about 39,000 years ago but other archaeological finds indicate that ancient man may have been making Beads even before that.
Beads have also played an important role in the anthropological development of society. In many cultures Beads have been used as money or for barter. When Christopher Columbus set off for the New World he took Beads as gifts. If fact, even Manhattan was bought with Beads !
Beads In Culture
Away from Europe, Beads have often served a more spiritual purpose, being used in magical amulets assigned with protective powers. In Africa, brightly colored Beads displaying geometrical patterns with sacral meanings have long played an important role.
In the Indonesian archipelago the preferred color for beadwork is yellow. Ranging from lemon to amber and carved from local materials such as Bamboo, Wood, horn, and Stone, these Beads are then decorated with white, black, green, blue and red accents, displaying an unusual play of textures.
Native Americans have long made great use of Beads in their waistbands, bracelets, bags and other clothes. Leather and suede items are heavily studded with Turquoise and other Beads of green, white, blue and red creating visually stimulating motifs that often also tell a story.
In Russia, Glass Beads have been popular since the 10th century. As well as embroidering beads onto purses, bags, shoes, waistbands and a variety of coverlets, much larger and incredibly impressive items of beadwork were created, including whole items of furniture! Popular patterns included flowers and symbols taken from classical art: angels, hearts, keys and anchors. This folk culture of beading even made its way into Russian orthodox churches where elaborate examples of beading can be found in many ritualistic objects.
Bead Categories
Today, the variety of Beads available to bead enthusiasts is almost as extensive as their history. From simple shells or Wooden Beads carved from naturally occurring materials to more complex items such as Ceramic, Acrylic and Plastic Beads, the Bead industry is one of the oldest surviving trades on the planet!
The following list encompasses some of the most popular types of readily available Beads. But remember, when it comes to Beads, the only limits are those set by your own imagination.
Gemstone Beads
Surveys amongst regular beaders show that by far the most popular type of Beads are those made from precious and semi precious gems. While Gemstone Beads are more valuable than other types, they can also be very affordable, especially with the wide range of semi precious gemstone beads manufactured in the ancient beading capital of Jaipur, India.
Jaipur is as renowned for its variety of Gemstone Beads, as well as its history and quality of bead production. Gemstone Beads generally go through an eight-step manufacturing process:
1.Rough Material. Sourced in local gem mines and imported from other gem-producing countries around the globe, procurers purchase large amounts of Rough gems.
2.Assortment. The rough is sorted, graded and classified according to shape.
3.Preforming. After the rough is sorted by shape it is worked into “preforms”. This stage is still a traditional cottage industry, with the performers generally taking the rough home to work on at their leisure.
4. Polishing. Preforms are sorted into two categories: those to be made into Facetted Beads and those for making Plain Beads. Each category is then sent to its respective artisan for polishing.
5. Assortment. After polishing, the gem material is again sorted and graded to ensure the highest level of consistency and quality control.
6. Drilling. Once the Beads are graded and sorted they are drilled.
7. Stringing. The Beads can then be strung ready for export.
8. Export. Jaipur’s famous Beads are now ready to ship to bead enthusiasts around the world.
Precious Metal Beads
Whether solid or plated, gold and silver have long been popular materials for Beads. Rhodium, brass and nickel also make for affordable and attractive alternatives.
Seed Beads
One of the most popular types of Beads amongst regular beaders, Seed Beads provides an impressive array of colors and shapes at extremely affordable prices.
Glass Beads
Glass Beads have been a mainstay of the beading world since the 10th century! Bright and colorful, they are a fabulous addition to any beading project.
Crystal Beads
Offering the same glitter and glamour as Gemstone Beads but at a fraction of the price, Crystal Beads are an extremely popular choice.
Cloisonne Beads
Intricately worked, magnificently designed Cloisonne Beads can add a real statement to any beading project.
African Beads
Carved and colorful, the huge range of African Beads adds a taste of the exotic, whether as an addition to your own bead project or as a magnificent piece of finished Bead Jewelry.
Wooden Beads
Bamboo, Coconut, Pine and Teak are just some of the exotic woods used to handcraft these unusual and attractive items.
Ceramic Beads
Available in both traditional and contemporary shapes, Ceramic Beads can really help bring your Bead Jewelry alive with their endless possibilities for color and creativity.
Stone Beads
Carved from the earth, Stone Beads can help you get in touch with nature through their essential elemental qualities.
Created Gem Beads
All the beauty and glamour of Gemstone Beads at a fraction the price. The range of brilliant colors and gorgeous shapes available with Created Gem Beads is unprecedented!
Plastic Beads
Versatile and long-wearing, Plastic Beads are perfect for kids, costumes and any occasion when a little rough handling is likely.
Premo Beads
Bright, colorful and ever-popular, Premo Beads are a great way to add a dash of Carnival spirit to any beading project.
How To Buy Beads
Beads traditionally come in strands or as individual pieces. When buying beads it is important to inspect them closely to make sure that they are of the desired shape, size, clarity (especially for Gemstone Beads), color and overall beauty.
Shape is a very important factor to consider when buying Beads. Do you want traditional round or oval shaped beads or are you looking for something more unusual like pyramids, cones, rectangles or drops?
It is also important to consider how you are going to use your Beads. Will you simply wear them as a strand (such as the classic strand of Pearls), or will they be part of a more elaborate design? Beads are frequently used to adorn embroidered items of clothing or other handicrafts. If this is your intended application then you must carefully consider durability as well as weight and size. While you may wish to use gorgeous Gemstone Beads, if an item is to be machine-washed then it may be more practical to go for Crystal, Seed, Premo or Created Gem Beads.
Ever since the 19th century, Glass Beads have been popular in Western Europe for embroidering onto evening gowns and other formal attire. Hats, bags and other accessories can also be given the bead treatment to startling effect, while vintage home décor items, such as door-curtains and lampshades, often make great use of Beads’ decorative qualities.
Bead Accessories
Purchasing your Beads is only the first step in any excursion into beading. Without the correct accessories it is difficult to bring your Beads to life!
The most important Bead Accessories are Findings and Stringing Materials. Findings are clasps, pins, connectors, spacers and all the other small but essential items that transform a simple string of Beads into a finished item of beautiful Bead Jewelry.
Stringing Materials are an integral part of beading but as something that most people don’t ever see, they are often overlooked. However, for the beader they are the cornerstones of any beading project. A huge variety of possibilities are available but some of the more popular types include leather, suede, rubber, elastic, waxed cotton and various types of wire such as silver, gold plated and soft flex wire.
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