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.

The Pilot's Daughter

I have been having some pretty terrible luck with cameras recently but, I felt the need to share these new pieces so I finally went out and got new batteries. Again. Let’s hope this set lasts a little longer than the last. I finished up the steampunk necklace from the other week – it had been bothering me a bit; it just seemed incomplete and undramatic so I added a second layer of chainmail, this one is gunmetal.  I love the look of antique copper and gunmetal, unfortunately the copper does not show up very well against the hemp necklace display but if you look closely, you can tell that the small rings are coppery. I’m not totally sold on the three  charms on the triangle but without them it, again, seems unfinished. I could definitely use some feedback on this one.

The next piece was inspired by my birthday present and the color combination and variety of beads and colored jumprings makes me happy. These are Skullcandy Ti headphones and they are VERY nice. I never knew an iPod could actually sound so good, with REAL bass and all! This particular set is a collaboration with Tokidoki, one of my absolute favorite designers. I just adore the combination of bright, vivid colors with skulls (and killer sound). Something about his designs is vary chaotic and happy with appeals to me deeply. My ideal mindset is to be carefree in the face of the chaos that is life; sometimes I achieve this and sometimes I fail miserably but these headphones (and now this necklace) remind me of my goal and help cheer me up so I can realize it.

This one of a kind necklace features a wire wrapped white plastic skull, purple fossil beads, striped and frosted furnace glass, silver fiberoptic stars, yellow and green Muzkui glass cubes, a handmaid (faux) toggle clasp, silver chain, blue and fuschia 1/2 inch jump rings, a re-purposed pink sparkly star hair clip (w/wire wrapped blue glass cube), and a black wooden tab. I say faux toggle clasp because, although it almost works as one, the bar is slightly too long and so I have added an adorable silver star clasp above it to make life easier on myself.

This necklace went through about a dozen variations before I was finally completely satisfied and I wish I’d had a working for the process; it was a really fun project and I got to use a bunch of odds and ends I had lying around.  I’d love to hear what you think!

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.

Oval Slabs

We want to talk today about one of the most beautiful stones in history. It was worn by royalty in the ancient world, and it’s deep ocean blue color has drawn the attention of humanity since the beginning of civilization. Archeologists have found evidence that Lapis Lazuli has been traded for at least 6,000 years. And throughout all that time it’s been used not only in jewelry but also to make sculptures, boxes, masks and in giant wall mosaics.

Polished Faceted Pendants

Before synthetic colors were invented, Lapis Lazuli was ground and the powder used to produce the ultramarine color that was widely used in the world of art and it is said that Cleopatra used it as eyeshadow as well. It seems like that girl knew how to accentuate her legendary beauty. Lapis Lazuli is extracted from different countries but the best stones come from Afghanistan and, in recent years, from Chile. It´s incredible that nowadays that we still have at our reach so ancient and appreciated a stone. It´s like it´s never been out of fashion during 6,000 years. And here at For the Love of Beads we are very proud to offer the best quality Lapis Lazuli beads you can find in the market, in 11 models and 13 sizes for your jewelry needs.

Heishi Low-Lustre Slabs

The possibilities to design ravishing jewelry with this beautiful blue stone which very often comes with small sparkling golden dots are endless. Whether you wear it in a necklace, bracelet or a pair of earrings, we can assure you everybody will take notice of it. Just take advantage of the multiple accessories available today to emphasize the astonishing Lapis Lazuli’s blue color. And don’t be afraid if the color could fade with time because you can have it repolished to bring back its original look.

Large Rounds

It’s also regarded as the stone of the truth and it’s very useful to strengthen relationships. It’s also a powerful rock to boost your own levels of energy, so if you sometimes feel kind of sluggish without any reason, this is the stone for you. It’s said that stimulates objectivity, clarity and encourages creativity allowing you to perceive emotional issues clearly. That’s why it’s used as a tool for meditation. And if all of this is not enough to convince you of the value of this gemstone let me tell you that now, because of political issues in Afghanistan, its cost has surpassed the value of gold. So, once you get your Lapis Lazuli from us you need to protect it from chemicals and solvents, in order to enjoy it for many many years. And who knows, maybe  your piece of jewelry can last another 6,000 years.

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!