Rings & Things Jewelry Blog

Created by: TierraCastDesigner TipsPre-stretch cord. Attach center of cord to button shank with Larks-Head knot, then tie overhand knot.* String nugget spacer onto both cord ends then tie second knot using an awl and pearl knotting technique. Thread one end of cord through one 8mm faceted glass, gemstone or crystal bead, then tie both cords in overhand knot. *Keep tension tight. Repeat * to * to desired length, finishing with nugget bead.String 22-24 size 8 seed beads or 3mm disk beads to form b …

Created by: Sondra Barrington   Designer TipsAdd a pearl to one end of the cord, and tie a simple overhand knot on each side of the pearl. Use an awl to help pull the knots tight up against the pearl bead. This will be the "button" portion of your button/loop clasp.Add 3 pearls to the bracelet -- but don't tie any knots around them yet.Make a loop at the other end of the bracelet, just large enough to fit over the pearl "button". Secure the loop with a knot, but before tightening the knot, …

Created by: Veronica GreenwoodDesigner TipsPlace a wire guard on the round link and crimp a 10-inch piece of flex wire through the wire guard (see Jewelry Basics 101 - PDF).String one each in this order:3mm aquamarine, 2mm silver bead, 4mm aquamarine, 2mm silver bead, 3mm aquamarine, 2mm silver bead, pearl, 2mm silver bead, 3mm silk, 2mm silver bead, pearl, 2mm silver bead,3mm aquamarine, 2mm silver bead, 4mm aquamarine, 2mm silver bead, 3mm aquamarine, 2mm silver bead,pearl, 2mm silver bead, 3m …

Quartz gemstone beads and pendants from Rings & Things: Options include multicolor rutilated quartz, clear rock crystal quartz, rose quartz, smoky quartz, tourmalated quartz, druzy quartz and more. Members of this semiprecious gemstone family share the same chemical composition (silicon dioxide) and similar physical properties. All semiprecious beads described here are types of macrocrystalline quartz (crystals recognizable with the naked eye), just like citrine and amethyst. True quartz can …

Opal Gemstone Beads from Rings & Things: Opal beads have the same basic chemical composition as quartz, but usually contain 6 - 10% water. Because of this, opal jewelry components should be protected from heat and strong light. Loss of water can cause opals to crack and/or lose iridescence. Opal beads can be oiled to prevent dehydration. Make sure to keep your opal beads away from detergents, ultrasonic cleaners, metal polish, acids and strong solvents. Birthstones for October include Opal, …

Jasper is a semiprecious chalcedony (or microcrystalline quartz), and is usually red, brown or green. Its patterns are much less regular and defined than agate, the other chalcedony variety. Another difference between the two is that jaspers are generally opaque, while agates tend to be translucent (or at least contain translucent bands). This distinction stems from the stones' composition. Jasper contains microscopic "grains" of crystalline quartz and agate has microscopic "fibers" of crystalli …

Rhyolite gemstone beads can look very similar to jaspers, and the popular green variety of rhyolite is sometimes called rainforest jasper. Similarly, the type of rhyolite that displays red, yellow, brown, and pinkish spots is descriptively called leopardskin jasper. Rhyolites, igneous rock chemically identical to granite, have beautifully markings which originated when rhyolitic magma and lava cooled from a molten state too quickly for crystals to form. Rhyolite occurs largely in the U.S.A. Type …

Which glue is best?Two-part epoxies are more work, but have excellent durability, for when you really want your designs to last.Super glues are best for surfaces that fit exactly together (no gaps), or where you need just a small dab of extra security.Some specialty & craft glues are flexible or work well for bonding plastics, foil-back crystal, porous materials such as wood and fabric, or metal-to-metal bonds. Each adhesive in our website includes detailed usage information to help you …

General instructions to install a blade in a jeweler's saw frame:Loosen the nuts on the saw frame.Slip one end of the blade into the fixture. Make sure the blade's teeth are pointing outwards and down. (Sort of like a Christmas tree.)Tighten the nut, then apply pressure from the end of the saw so that the blade is guided into the other fixture. (A common method of applying pressure is to put the handle against your hip or ribs, and push the far end against a sturdy wall.)Tighten the other nut. T …

Created by: Polly Nobbs-LaRueDesigner TipsLay out a pattern on the blank bracelet. Free-hand, or using a ruler, mark each spot using an awl or an extra-fine point marker. (The heishi beads pictured are 18mm apart.)Punch 1/16" holes in the leather, using the cutting end of the Crafted Findings riveting tool.If necessary, use the cutting end of the riveting tool to punch 1/16" holes in the center of the vinyl disk beads. (They already have holes, but the holes might need to be larger.)Use a short …