Acrylic Resin

Transparent man-made resins used in making molded plastics.

Aurora Borealis (AB)

The name given for the Northern Lights, this is a term for crystal stones that have a highly iridescent surface. This effect is achieved by vapor blasting the facets of the lower part of the crystals with an invisible, micro thin metal sheet. The effect was created by Swarovski® in 1955 in collaboration with Christian Dior. The term AB now refers to any iridescent finish.

Bail

A metal loop that is used to attach a chain or cord to a pendant.

Baroque Pearl

An irregularly-shaped pearl.

Barrel Clasp

A clasp made of two parts that screw together, usually used in necklaces.

Base Metal

Any non-precious metal e.g. copper, zinc, nickel, brass. Can be plated with silver, gold, gunmetal, copper or brass.

Beadalon

is our favorite stringing material. Unlike Tiger Tail which can sometimes kink, Beadalon wire remains soft and pliable, even when using the smaller beads. Beadalon is a multi-strand braided stainless steel wire with a nylon coating.

Bezel

The metal groove or flange holding a gemstone in its setting, or the slanting face of a cut gem.

Biwa

A cultured pearl originally non-nucleated, grown in a freshwater mussel from Lake Biwa in Japan. Only those actually produced there should be called Biwas; others are simply called freshwater cultured pearls.

Carat

The unit of weight used for precious stones. One carat equals one-fifth of a gram. Also a measurement of fitness in gold. Pure gold is expressed as 24kt.

Chain Tab

Metal tab stamped with metal content designation.

Cloisonne

Enamel with surface decorations set in hollows formed by strips of wire welded to a metal plate.

Finding

Manufactured components used to create jewelry. Generally, findings provide the structure for the jewelry design; the ornamentation is provided by both the design of the finding as well as the gems, beads or other decoration that is added. Findings include jumprings, clasps, bails, headpins, earwires, and charms, to name a few.

Ice Pick Bail

Similar to a prong bail, it will create a loop to attach a chain to when the prongs are closed into a cross-drilled pendant.

Leather Cord

is always a popular stringing material as there is no finishing required. Simply add a pendant or centerpiece, tie a bow and go.

Memory Wire

is a pre-coiled stainless steel wire that retains it shape. Very popular for wine charm markers and bracelets.

Mohs Scale

a scale used to measure the hardness of minerals, with talc at zero and diamond at 10. Each mineral on the scale is hard enough to scratch the one below it in the scale.

Nylon Bead Cord

is used as an all purpose bead cord. You can use Beeswax to coat the cord to keep it from fraying and tangling when it is repeatedly threaded through metal beads with sharp edges. Wide spectrum of colors. Using light colors against a dark bead will lighten that bead color... Dark color cord will darken a light bead. Example: White cord with Garnet bead will add to the luminosity of the bead.

Polishing

The process in the last stage of metal finishing in which a rotating instrument is dipped in a polishing substance. Increases shine and eliminates flaws.

Precious Stones

costly gems such as diamonds, emeralds, rubies and sapphires.

Rattail

is a round, satin-like cord, often used to show off one large pendant or centerpiece as it's beautiful colors beg to be seen.

Semiprecious Stones

Natural stones that generally have a lower value than precious stones, including amethyst, aventurine, carnelian, garnet, opal, rose quartz, and others. Primarily used in fashion jewelry.

Silk Bead Cord

is used for beads with smaller holes such as freshwater pearls and beads under 5mm. You can add a designer look by using our Tri-Cord knotter, and placing knots on either side of the pearl. Wide spectrum of colors.

Spacer Bar

Jewelry finding used to hold multiple strands of beads in alignment and prevent tangling, are inserted at intervals while stringing the beads.

Spectrum

a continuous distribution of colored light produced when a beam of white light is dispersed into its components, e.g. by a prism.

Stretch Magic

is a flexible clear elastic cord. It is often used for slip-on crystal bracelets, and is a beader's favorite as it only requires a knot to finish.

Sterling Silver Filled

Sterling Silver Filled Findings are created by bonding a thick layer of .925 Silver to a Brass wire core. The same process is used to create Gold Filled Findings. Unlike Silver Plating, which can wear off over time, Sterling Silver Filled products will last a lifetime.

Tiger Tail

is a commonly used stringing material, and does not require a needle.

Translucent Cord

is perfect for stringing Austrian Crystals, or any light colored bead when you don't want the cord to be visible.

Up Eye

Finding that can be bonded to round bead or tumbled stone to add a loop and create a pendant.

Chain Definitions

Ball Chain

small balls connected and held in line by tiny pieces of wire, which also separate each ball from the next. This type of chain is most commonly used on military style dog tags.

Beading Chain

Usually a very small, tightly linked chain. Round or flat, this style of chain is ideal for stringing with small beads.

Box Chain

A type of chain made from square shaped links which, when linked together, create a four-sided “box-like” appearance. Also called Square Chain.

Cable Chain

A chain made of uniform size round links, attached consecutively to create a pattern similar to the chain used to anchor a sailing vessel. This chain is what most people think of when they hear of the word "chain". Also called "Link Chain"

Curb Chain

A chain composed of oval-shaped links, consecutively linked, then slightly twisted so they lie flat.

Figaro Chain

A design which incorporates a pattern of 2 or 3 small circular links with 1 larger elongated oval link, attached consecutively, then repeated, to create the chain pattern.

Figure 8 Chain

Two small, twisted links connected to a larger, slightly twisted link, repeated to create the Figure 8 pattern.

Rolo Chain

A chain style composed of thick, interlocking round or oval links of identical size and shape. The links typically are flat underneath, and rounded on top, similar in style to Cable Chain, but with heavier links.

Rope Chain

Made from several slightly twisted links, which, when attached together give a spiral appearance that looks like a rope.

Snake Chain

A chain with round, highly flexible links which, when attached, line up to resemble a snake pattern.