Beads Manufacturers
Online beads marketplace for all sorts of Indian beads

Beads by Material | Beads by Shapes | Beads by Usage | Articles | Photo Gallery | News | Beads Information Hub | Beads Magazines
Beads by Usage
Beads by Shapes
Related Products
Beads Marketplace
Home » Stone Beads » Natural Stone Beads

Natural Stone Beads

Natural Stone Beads
Natural Stone Beads

Know About Natural Stone Beads

Beautiful natural stone beads with great color combinations are made of Dumortierite, Jaspers, Malachite, Onyx(black), Obsidian(snow flake), and Natural turquoise. These beads are favorite for jewelry. Natural stone beads are available in varying shapes(round, oval, square, heart, star, triangle etc) and sizes. The stones that make use of these beads are all naturally existing and therefore expensive.

Introduction to Some Natural Stone Beads

Following are some of the natural stone beads that are used for various purposes and are quite popular among the beads crafts persons as well as beads collectors.

Obsidian

Obsidian is a black volcanic glass formed by the rapid cooling of lava. Obsidian natural stone beads have sharp edges and glossy luster. Know more about Obsidian Beads

Dumortierite

This natural stone is a variety of quartz with the shades of denim blue, from stone-washed to deep indigo.

Jasper

Jasper is a variety of quartz which is hard and durable, and richly colored by minerals, such as iron oxide. Jasper natural stone beads have patterns that are well defined but less regular. Know more about Jasper Beads

Malachite

Malachite is a copper mineral with rich green shades. The texture of malachite natural stone beads is soft and these beads need utmost care to preserve their glossy finish. Know more about Malachite Beads

Rhodonite

Rhodonite is a natural stone that ranges from light to deep pink. It is has streaks of darker shade and is available in transparent and opaque form. The stone consists of silicates of manganese, iron, magnesium and calcium.

Natural Turquoise

Natural Turquoise is found in shades of blue and green. The blue color of the stone is because of its copper content and green because of iron. Know more about Turquoise Beads

Onyx

Onyx, yet another variety of quartz is an opaque stone. Onyx is hard and polishes well, and therefore preferred for jewelry. Naturally this stone is black in color but is usually dyed before using.

Advantages of Natural Stone Beads

There are many advantages of natural stone beads that make it a perfect choice for jewelery and other applications.

Uses of Natural Stone Beads

Natural stone beads are used for various purposes

Jewelery making: Natural stone beads have been used since ages for making jewelry like necklaces, rings, earrings, etc.

Medicinal use: Many ancient cultures use natural stone beads for curing diseases like asthma, skin allergies etc. In recent times, medical jewelery is also made by using natural stone beads.

Prayer Beads: Natural stone beads are used to make Prayer Beads strings for praying by followers of Christianity, Judaism, Islam, Hinduism and Buddhism.

Beading Gifts: Natural stone beads are also used either for beading gifts or for embedding into other decorative pieces for embellishing them. Some of the examples include beaded boxes, idols, pen holders etc.

Decorative Clothings: Natural stone beads are extensively used for making decorative clothing like wedding dresses, baby clothing etc.

Tips for Buying Natural Stone Beads

Although most of the natural stone beads manufacturers adopt fair means for making these beads, there are some who use certain beads processing techniques that make them look more attractive than they naturally are. If a stone bead looks too perfect it can be a fake one too. Always ask the beads seller about the processing methods adopted for finishing natural stone beads. Here are some treatments that are given to stone beads for making them too perfect to be natural. Know them and avoid them if you want to buy true natural stone beads.

Irradiation: Irradiation is mostly done to natural stone beads like Aquamarine, Blue Topaz, Emerald, and Diamond etc. to bring out color and for removing imperfections.

Heat Treatment: Stone beads like Amethyst, Aquamarine, Ruby, Tanzanite and Topaz are sometimes heated at high temperatures to make their color more attractive.

Dying: Natural stone beads like Lapis Lazuli, Rose Quartz, Amethyst and Citrine are often dyed. Black Onyx is permanently dyed as a normal process. Using dyes on natural stone beads affect their natural color which is one of the main attractions of stone beads. To know whether a natural stone bead has been dyed artificially or not, look for some dye on clear stone that may be visible in cracks. They look darker than the rest of the stone bead. Sometimes dye can also be seen as a residue that rubs off or makes white patches.

Coatings: Many types of coatings are often used on stone beads that take away their natural charm. Jasper is dipped in petroleum products for attractive color and for sealing it. Emerald is oiled where as turquoise is waxed for shiny appearance.

Beaded Beads Looking for Wholesale Beads Suppliers?
Allow us to help you find the right suppliers to match your product interests.
Beads Crafts

Featured Articles

Find latest updated articles on beads, beads crafts, diy bead projects, handmade gifts with beading patterns, bead jewelry making and more...


Copyright 2010 Beads Manufacturers. All rights reserved.  ® Resources