News

Garnet vs. ruby beads: Which is best for your jewelry? Compare their color, durability, price, and design possibilities to find the right red gemstone for your next project.

Explore 10 creative Biwa pearl jewelry-making ideas, from necklaces and earrings to bracelets, with practical tips for choosing beads, designing, and finishing your pieces.

Bring a little luxury to your holiday decorating with handmade beaded Christmas tree ornaments. Follow our easy DIY tutorial using gemstone beads, freshwater pearls, and metallic accents to create elegant ornaments you'll love hanging year after year.

Discover the meaning of serpentine stone, its traditional healing properties, spiritual benefits, and symbolism, plus how to use this beautiful green gemstone in jewelry making.

Labradorite is known for its stunning flashes of blue, green, and gold, but there's more to this gemstone than its appearance. Explore labradorite meaning, symbolism, properties, and creative ways to use labradorite beads in handmade jewelry.

Sunstone has a fascinating history filled with Viking legends, Native American lore, and symbolism tied to the sun. Discover what sunstone means, how its stories have evolved, and ways to incorporate this sparkling gemstone into your jewelry designs.

Madagascar and Oregon sunstone may share a name, but their colors, inclusions, prices, and availability are quite different. Learn what makes each gemstone unique, how to tell them apart, and which sunstone beads are right for your next jewelry-making project.

Learn how to make an amethyst bead bracelet from start to finish, including choosing your beads, measuring your wrist, calculating bead count, stringing with beading wire, and making a stretch version.

Is black onyx a real gemstone? Learn what onyx actually means, why most black onyx gets its deep color through treatment, and what jewelry makers should know when choosing black onyx beads.

Looking for a faceted gemstone beads supplier you can rely on? See how The Bead Traders approaches quality, grading, treatments, pricing, product specifications, and selection to help jewelry makers source the right beads for every design.

Not sure which necklace clasp to use? This jewelry maker’s guide compares popular clasp types, explains which styles work best for different necklaces, and covers how to attach them for a secure, polished finish.

Real pearls can add natural luster, texture, and character to handmade charms. Learn how to choose the right pearl type, shape, size, and findings, plus get tips for designing and caring for pearl charms.