Barrel & Tube Gemstones

Terra Agate: No gemstone is more creatively striped by nature than agate. This distinct and dramatically banded variety of chalcedony is composed of quartz layers, which varies greatly and can be of many colors. Each individual agate forms by filling a...

This semiprecious basic black gemstone closely resembles black onyx, but since we have been unable to verify its true classification, "black stone" is the most honest name we can give to these beads and pendants. Note that black stone jewelry components...

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Amazonite is a relatively rare blue-green variety of microcline (a feldspar mineral) used as a semiprecious stone. This opaque stone has a silky luster or silvery sheen and is often found with white, yellow or gray inclusions. Amazonite, sometimes called...

About Amethyst: Amethyst is one of the most popular varieties of quartz. It is the official birthstone for February and one of our best-selling gemstones.Amethyst is formed in silica-rich liquids deposited in gas cavities (geodes) in lava. It occurs in...

Cacoxenite by itself is an iron aluminium phosphate mineral associated with iron mining. It has a silky luster, and a hexagonal crystalline structure that grows in a radial pattern. When it forms within amethyst and other forms of quartz, it displays as...

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Strawberry vs. Cherry quartz: Sometimes cherry "quartz" (a pretty pink imitation gemstone) is erroneously called strawberry quartz. You can see the difference between the two gemstones if you look closely (you may need a loupe or magnifier). Cherry...

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Aquamarine belongs to the beryl gemstone family. Bead-grade aquamarine tends to have many interesting inclusions and numerous opaque areas. The more intense the color of this stone, the higher its value. Aquamarine is a hard gemstone, which makes it an...

Moonstone Beads: With its ghostly glow, this feldspar stone almost seems magical. High-quality moonstone is usually chatoyant and sometimes displays a strong cat's eye. The floating-light phenomenon and sheen of moonstone are called adularescence or...

Chrysocolla is a hydrated copper phyllosilicate mineral, in shades of green, blue, blue-green, black and brown. It is commonly found in copper mines. Pure chrysocolla is soft and fragile. However, most chrysocolla beads are in a matrix of rock crystal...

Iolite: Also known as water sapphires, dichroite, Spanish lazulite, and Vikings' compass, the transparent purple-blue variety of this stone is iolite, named after the Greek word for violet, ios. While this semiprecious gemstone has a nice Mohs hardness...

The name Lapis Lazuli comes from the Latin word for "stone" (lapis) and the Arabian word for "blue" (azul). True to their name, these semiprecious beads offer naturally blue shades with inclusions that twinkle like stars in the tales of the Arabian...

Moonstone Beads: With its ghostly glow, this feldspar stone almost seems magical. High-quality moonstone is usually chatoyant and sometimes displays a strong cat's eye. The floating-light phenomenon and sheen of moonstone are called adularescence or...

Quartz is said to be the universal healing stone. Quartz crystals are believed to promote hope, happiness, and optimism while awakening us to the beauty of nature.Amethyst, the purple variety of quartz, is said to instill high ideals and urge one to do...

Rose quartz is one of the most desirable varieties of quartz in the gemstone trade. Also known as ancona ruby and mont blanc ruby, these semiprecious gemstones display a lovely, unique pink tone. Rose quartz beads have been found in Mesopotamia that date...

Tigereye Beads come in richly chatoyant browns and yellows with a golden luster. While legends exist of Roman soldiers wearing this "all seeing" stone for protection in battle, tigereye was not considered a semiprecious gemstone until the late 19th...

Terra Agate: No gemstone is more creatively striped by nature than agate. This distinct and dramatically banded variety of chalcedony is composed of quartz layers, which varies greatly and can be of many colors. Each individual agate forms by filling a...

This semiprecious basic black gemstone closely resembles black onyx, but since we have been unable to verify its true classification, "black stone" is the most honest name we can give to these beads and pendants. Note that black stone jewelry components...

Please see the Related Products links below for similar items, and more information about this stone. Questions? E-mail us for friendly, expert help!

Trade Beads We carry an eclectic variety of African beads, both old trade beads and newer beads made or strung in Africa for the world-wide bead trade. Trade beads are old and/or used beads, and will show varying amounts of wear. Newly-made African beads...