We’ve added a great new selection of hematite beads for your beading pleasure.

Hematite is a stone with a rich tradition of use, from paint pigment to royal gifts. Abandonded hematite mines have been found dating back to 5000 BC, and it hasn’t fallen out of fashion since.

A beautiful silvery gemstone, it makes a perfect centerpiece for your beading creations, for anything from anklets to earrings. We offer a variety of sizes and shapes such as the Large Hematite Barrels shown to the right, so be sure to check them all out!

That´s why black agate is one of the most requested beads from customers. It´s well known that black color must be present in your jewelry box. Besides it´s considered the gemstone that brings happiness, prosperity and good luck to the wearer.

Black Agate was one of the first gemstones used in jewelry. Its black color has always been a source of inspiration for jewelry makers since at least 4,000 years.

Black agate is a gemstone of great appearance and bold beauty and its ultra-smooth texture makes it as the perfect central piece of your jewelry project. Here at FtLoB we have black agate beads in drops, cylinders, ovals, coins, rounds shapes. This wide variety of different kinds of beads allows you to play with this gorgeous stone and create a lot of designs for necklaces, earrings and bracelets.

USEFUL TIDBITS OF INFORMATION ABOUT BLACK AGATE

• Black agate is known to have a very calming effect on the body
• It´s believed to balance your energy levels
• It’s considered as a protective stone against any physical danger
• it promotes courage and self-confidence
• Black agate brings strength and that’s why it was considered the stone of warriors in ancient times

• Agate is a variety of quartz

• The price of the black agate makes this semi-precious gem very affordable for your jewelry designs.

• And last but not least, its elegant black color looks incredible, whether you are at work or in at that special occasion.

So, if you are considering using it as the theme for your next jewelry project or just like to use it as a talisman, it’s a good idea to have one of these stones close to you.

Here at FtLoB we offer you not only the best quality beads and material you need for your jewelry projects but also the best prices and attention you can find on the web.

Is black agate your favorite stone? If not, what is?

Amethyst Rectangles

Would you believe there was a time that amethyst was more valuable than emerald, sapphire and ruby? It’s true - this gemstone fetched prices as high as diamond, and was coveted as one of the most precious gems in the world. There was even a time that amethyst was highly appreciated by the European monarchies: it’s part of the British crown jewels, and it’s well known that Queen Catherine of Russia had a special affection it.

But in the 19th century (and fortunately for us simple mortals who are not part of any royal house), amethyst was found in such great quantities around the globe that its price was brought down drastically and now we can enjoy a truly royal gemstone at a very affordable price.

The impressive and enigmatic purple color of this stone ranges from violet to lavender. So, if you are considering these colors for your a next beading project we can assure you that amethyst is the stone you are looking for.

Isn’t it amazing how Nature can supply all the colors we need for doing everything? And it’s also wonderful to learn the stories people like to make up, in an effort to explain to ourselves how these colors were created.

Amethyst Teardrops

In the case of amethyst, it is said that Dionysus, the god of wine in Ancient Greece, was making amorous advances to a beautiful maiden named Amethystus but she rejected him because she wanted to remain chaste.  She asked for help and Artemis, goddess of the hunt, turned her into a quartz stone in order to preserve her chastity. Dionysus, ashamed of this, poured red wine over the stone to honor the maiden and that’s how amethyst got its characteristic color. There is some variations of this legend, but it always involves the same players.

Whatever the case may be, the stone and its color were associated with drinking alcohol. Actually, the word amethyst comes from Greek and it means “not intoxicated”. There was a belief that amethyst could protect the owner from strong drink.

Amethyst is found in many areas around the world but the best stones come from Brazil, Uruguay, Russia and Canada. Although Amethyst is now very cheap due to its availability, there are some stones which can still reach high prices because its extraordinary quality.

It’s said that amethyst has healing properties and if you place one stone under your pillow before going to sleep, this can help you against insomnia. It’s believed it is very helpful for headaches as well. If you wear an amethyst on a regular basis, it releases tension and of course according to the Greek myth, amethyst protects against drunkenness.

Amethyst Spheres

But one thing is for sure. Amethyst is a very delicate gemstone and it requires a lot of care. This stone can appear to fade, so keep it out of direct sunlight and avoid any contact with household cleaners which are also very harmful to its appearance.

Here at FTLOB, we offer you amethyst beads in spheres, rectangles and teardrop shapes, all in striking deep purple color. And we’re always adding more!

And as always, at FTLOB we’d love to hear your opinion about this or any other subject. And if amethyst is your favorite gemstone, please send us pics of your creations.

Small Jade Coins

This is not just another ordinary green bead. Jade is the gemstone that evokes the power of one of the greatest empires in the world’s history, China, and it should be the central piece in your next beading project.

Jade has been appreciated by humanity for at least 7,000 years, not only because of its beautiful color but also its remarkable toughness , which made this stone very useful for making weapons and tools before the Iron Age.

Although Jade is known for its green color, this is not always the case. Jade comes in a huge range of colors, from very dark to almost white. It doesn´t matter what color you choose, its shiny and sparkling surface always looks good in necklaces, earrings or bracelets, and it will turn your beading project into a sophisticated piece of jewelry.

Geologically speaking, there are two types of Jade, Jadeite and Nephrite. These two are very alike and for centuries they were considered the same mineral, because is very hard to say the difference between them. Truth is, both minerals are so similar that even the most experienced mineralogists can confuse them without a chemical test.

Black Jade Rectangles

In Ancient China, Jade was not only used for ornamental purposes but it was even considered more valuable than silver or gold. Jade was known as the Imperial Gem. Europeans always thought that Jade originated in China, but that was because it was often traded where most skillful artisans were. In fact, the best stones come from Myanmar, at China´s southern border.

Jade can also be found in other parts of the world. In the Mayan culture, Jade was also highly valued by nobles and it was used in important religious ceremonies. For them, Jade symbolized life and it was considered as a connector between humans and nature.

There are some myths about Jade. For example real Jade is not completely transparent. Also, it’s value is not just based on the color but also in the intensity, harmony and balance of the stone. Some impertfections add more value to the stone.

Egg-Shaped Jade Beads

Nowadays, Jade is still very appreciated and in Asia it’s collected as an antique. Jade is revered as a symbol of good luck and health. It’s said that Jade cures loin and kidney ailments, stimulates creativity and mental agility and it’s very useful to reduce stress. It’s considered as the stone of inner peace, harmony and balance.

Here at For the Love of Beads we have this is marvelous gemstone in 12 beautiful and elegant styles, 17 sizes and 2 vibrant colors, green and black.  As always we would love to hear from you about this or another subject and you are very welcome if you want to send us pics of your pieces of jewelry whether with this or another material.

Lava stone has drawn my attention not only for its deep black color and rough texture, but also for the way it was developed. The simple fact that lava stone is indeed solidified lava makes my imagination go wild.

This stone is a genuine testimony of one of the most impressive and destructive forces on Earth and now is at your reach, through For the Love of Beads, as the central piece for your next beading project. It can be found in our other gemstones section.

When you have a lava stone bead in your hand you can feel through its unique texture that this stone is one of a kind. Its rare and pitted surface tells you how powerful the natural process were that made it.

This stone has been used in the construction industry for centuries due its light weight but strong and majestic appearance. No wonder the Spaniards used it to cover the facades of huge and stunning palaces and churches in Mexico City after the Conquest of Mexico.

It wasn’t until the 19th century that jewelers around the world incorporated lava stone beads to their designs. Its black and red color makes it very appreciated by people who are looking for an earthly look and want to make an homage to Mother Nature as well.

We have this beautiful stone in black color and 3 different styles and sizes. It works very well if you combine it with other natural beads, silver or glass.

Although there are plenty of places where there have been a constant volcano activity the material is not always available in the beads market because the shortage of lava stone bead´s skillful artisans.

Hurry up because the demand for this stone is growing up and we are running out of these unique beads.

And be aware of fake lava stone beads. There are some people who create faux lava rocks with polymer clay. The way to know if they are fake or not is simple. The real ones are resistant to pressure and scratching.

Lava stone has been considered for many cultures as the stone of the survivor. And because its obviously straight relation with fire, lava stone is also regarded as a powerful and energetic rock.

It´s said that the wearer feels a flow of energy as soon as they connect on a metaphysical level with this stone and also that they strenghten our connection to Mother Earth.

So, let fly your imagination and start making beautiful pieces of jewelry with the stone made with fire and please, send us pics of your creations.

Cherry Quartz Oval Shaped Pendant

There are several kinds of quartz used in the jewelry industry but rose quartz is the only one that it’s universally regarded as the love stone. No matter if you are planning to use it in a necklace or a bracelet, there are several reasons why a rose quartz piece of jewelry must be in your wardrobe accessories.

For starters, rose quartz is not only one of the most popular quartz stones on Earth, but also one the most beautiful. Rose quartz is found in Madagascar, Scotland and the USA, but the biggest mines are located in Brazil.  It’s a curious fact that in early times, it was thought that crystal quartz was water ice frozen through time.

Rose Quartz Ovals

Rose quartz has always been used in jewelry although it has never reached high prices like other gemstones. It’s very frequent to use it in cabochons, beads and heart-shapes. It comes in a range of colors from pink to rose red but all hues related to love.

It’s said that rose quartz stones add love and energy to sentimental relationships. It’s also said that replaces negativity with harmony and it heals emotional wounds. It’s believed to hasten recovery from surgery. It can help balance the body and physical emotions as well. It also helps as the rejuvenator of the skin. It’s said that if you wash your face in water charged with rose quartz, it will keep your skin young.

To take care of the beads you have in your wardrobe, we recommend you to keep your rose quartz away from the sun, as it tends to fade when it’s overexposed to the sunlight. We have this beautiful stone in 4 models and in 6 sizes, along with others kinds of quartz beads.

Cindy Wimmer

Recently hosted by Lori Anderson, the Bead Soup Party involved 84 amazing jewelry artists! While I am sorry to have missed out (bad cold coupled with big store changes and I *gasp* neglected my blog reading for awhile. Let that be a lesson to me!), it was such a fantastic trip through the blogosphere reading about and admiring all of the gorgeous designs. It has taken me days to get through them all and I am thrilled to have so many new blogs to read!

Inspiration lurked on every new tab and, while most of the designs were beautiful, some were absolutely amazing! So many, in fact, that I could not possible overview them all here – I highly recommend you hop on over to Lori’s blog post here where she lists the participants and take the tour for yourself. Make sure you get a big mug of coffee and clear your schedule for the day before you get started!

Whitney Lassini

While I love the unique creations in this post, it is not so much about the jewelry itself but rather the way their creators have chosen to photograph them to capture the personality of each piece. Backgrounds and layout can make all the difference in the world in creating a stunning image that captures the eye and imagination.

This first one; designed by Cindy Wimmer of Sweet Bead Studio, really makes the orange in these focals pop by using a book with detailing that matches the darker shades of blue. The wirework in this piece is stunning; organic and somehow nautical, at least to me, and I love how she used the two empty ovals to tie the front and back together.

Nancy E. Schindler

The second piece, designed by Whitney Lassini, is a gorgeous piece in its own right but her use of this smooth, warm colored wood adds a vibrancy and a coziness to the photograph; it reminds me of brightly colored thick wool sweaters and sitting by the fire with a cup of cocoa!

This next piece, by Nancy of The Rabbit Muse, features a stunning focal made with lampwork beads by one of my favorite artists, Sue of Sue Beads. I love the way Nancy has photographed it on an angle, emphasizing its 3 dimensionality and size. What a bold and beautiful statement piece!

Lisa of Lucid Moon Studios

Finally, this gorgeous heart necklace by Lisa of Lucid Moon Studios, really captured my eye. I love the softness of the candy colors combined with the crafty feel of the pendant and this photograph really emphasizes these aspects. I also really like the way she has used clay and resin for this heart – very sweet.

As I said, this is just a sampling of the amazing and inspiring pieces created for this Bead Soup and I do hope you will check out the rest of them. Clicking on each image here will bring you to that artist’s Bead Soup Post and clicking on the links in the text will bring you to their blog homepage. I hope you enjoy looking around as much as I did!

Thanks to all the lovely crafters who participated – it was wonderful to see how you each challenged each other to move a bit outside of your normal jewelry styles and I can’t wait for the next Bead Soup Party!

Well, today we are going to present to you an interview with one of those enigmatic guys. He lives in Mexico City, but you can find him almost anywhere. He´s that kind of artisan who likes to travel around the country selling his stuff at the main public squares or in the Zocalos. I met him one particular weekend when he came to my hometown. His name is Pedro Lopez and he sells semiprecious gemstones hand coiled in silver wire. He likes to use amethyst rectangles, black agate coins, coral beads, lapis lazuli beads, turquoise beads, jade beads, among other stones. Sometimes he mounts the stone in a silver frame with a loop at the top for stringing. He sometimes uses chamois leather or silver wire when he adds more little stones.  His prices range from a few pesos to hundreds and despite the simplicity of his designs they are made with good taste. He seems to balance perfectly the color, size and quantity of stones.

So, we approached to ask him a few questions about his work.

FTLOB: I see you have an strong preference to work with stones. Why do you like to work with this material?

PL: Well, precious and semi-stones have always been used in different cultures as healing tools. I have studied about the healing properties semi-precious stones have and I think the use of them bring enormous benefits for both physical and mental health. I thought that a good way to carry them, on a daily basis, it was to put them in a piece of jewelry, like a necklace or a bracelet.

FTLOB: What kind of stones do you recommend the most?

PL: I can only talk about semi-precious stones. Precious stones are way too expensive and semi-precious are just more affordable. Amethyst, for example, which is one of my favorites, is associated with inner peace, relieves stress and protects against blood diseases. It´s also very useful against diabetes.

Jade is also another one of my favorites. It´s associated with wisdom and serenity. Very valuable for the ancient Aztecs and Mayans. Some say that the Moctezuma´s treasure Spaniards were looking for, it wasn´t made of gold but jade.

Lapis Lazuli is one that my clients ask for very often. It´s a very powerful stone. It has a lot of energy and if you use it as a necklace, it works as a connector between your heart and mind.

Turquoise a very energetic stone, on the other hand, connects your physical, emotional and intellectual levels. And so on and so forth about a lot of stones. All of them have something to give you.

One more thing I can tell you is that it´s said that you don’t choose the stone. The stone actually chooses you.

FTLOB: How come you prefer to sell your things on the streets and not from a store?

PL: I like to interact with my clients personally and I don´t want to be worried about the rent, the electrical bill or stuff like that. Although there are some obvious inconveniences of being on the sidewalk, like bad weather or having to set up your booth every day.

FTLOB: When did you realize you wanted to do this type of work?

PL: Actually, I am a Certified Public Accountant. I worked for several firms for many years but never felt very happy. Besides that the money was not that hot. What happened was one day I saw this young Italian guy who was traveling the globe just selling very simple but striking bracelets made with coconut beads. I thought if this guy is able to travel the world this way I wanna do that. Then I realized that I was working under much stress and working a lot of hours a day in a job I didn´t really like and that I was not enjoying my life. So, I decided to give it a shot and here I am, very happy with my current life style.

FTLOB:Did you take any special courses to learn to do this?

PL: As I said before, I learned about the stones’ metaphysical properties first. And one thing lead to another. Then I learned the basics about working with silver. As you see, my technique is very simple.

FTLOB. What do you think about selling and buying things on the Internet?

PL: I think technology is an amazing thing and is changing the way we live. And of the way we shop. Shopping is changing in a blink of an eye. I might well to start learning how to use the Internet. But for the moment I prefer to sell and travel at the same time.

Right now, my goal is to travel all over the country. I have been in some amazing places like Tulum and Palenque.

FTLOB: Thank you very much for your time and good luck.

PL: You´re welcome.

Here in FTLOB we want to invite you to check out the amazing assortment of semi-precious stones we have and hope you can find and create your own designs.  And who knows? You might be able to start your own business and travel just like our good friend Pedro Lopez.

Please let us hear your valuable opinions on this or any another topic.

For starters, you need to realize that you are going to attach yourself to a big promise that, in some cases, could involve legal liabilities. Therefore, you must be very serious about this. First of all, it´s very important to establish what kind of jewelry you are making and its potential market. From this, it decides what kind of store you want to approach. Once that´s settled, go to pay a visit and look around, but don´t make any appointments yet. Your goal here is to check out if they already have similar items to what you are trying to sell. Store owners always want to sell originals products.

In our case, the town where we are living in is a small tourist destination and there are many stores selling handcrafted jewelry. We decided to go to the most successful one around. Although we had known the owners for long time, in the end, that didn´t give us any advantage; don’t mix up friendship with business. We made an appointment first and showed up as the professionals we are. After all, we just were looking for doing some business and not for having chit-chat. So, before the meeting, we prepared our best samples and a detailed wholesale price’s list with double copy, one for them and one for us, always knowing that at some point in the meeting we’d have to negotiate our prices. Being aware that a big slice of the cake is going to be for them, it helps to establish a strong business relationship.  You can suggest a retailing price, but they have the last word about this.

We both reached an agreement in which they would take the merchandise on consignment and we’d go to revenue or check out the stock every week.  It´s not the best option as it might be weeks before seeing your investment back, let alone a profit. But, on the other hand, you can always take back the items they don´t sell and put them in your own booth. In that way you keep the display case fresh with new products every time you go. We also had offered to bring our own exhibitor, because it was specially designed to show our products. Of course, we also asked for the best spot in the store to place it.

If you are afraid that you could be rejected when you approach to a retailer store, yes, that possibility exists, but don’t give up. There is always a place for your creations and who knows, you might end up as the next designer who dictates the trend for the generation.