Deleted
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Member since January 1970
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Post by Deleted on Dec 2, 2009 23:09:40 GMT -5
Hi all,
I am planning on incorporating some gemstone beads into a few of my wraps that will be used for Christmas gifts. I have never used beads before so am unsure what size I should be purchasing? I use 20-22 gauge square wire on my wraps if that helps. I am wanting round beads and they come in mm........such as 4mm, 6mm, 8mm.
I dont want HUGE beads, I just want a bit of an accent. What size should I buy? I am purchasing online so I dont have anything to really look at in person.
Thanks in advance,
Shannon
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damammy
has rocks in the head
Member since January 2009
Posts: 697
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Post by damammy on Dec 2, 2009 23:28:45 GMT -5
Shannon, I use 4mm bicone swarovski, They fit well on the 22g on the 21 some will not fit well. But anything larger will take away from the stone. Hope this helps. Donna
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Dec 3, 2009 0:04:55 GMT -5
Thank you Donna!
My plan was to buy 4mm for the 22g wire and maybe some 6mm for my 20g wraps......just because I figured the small beads wouldnt fit. I guess I was on the right track after all, thank you again!
Shannon
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Post by Woodyrock on Dec 3, 2009 2:30:07 GMT -5
Shannon:
Bead suppliers as well as jewelry suppliers have reamers just for beads. They are not expensive, so would be a good tool to have on hand when you want a bead to fit.
Elf
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kentuckyrocker
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since November 2008
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Post by kentuckyrocker on Dec 3, 2009 15:11:13 GMT -5
6mm will be too big - that is the size I have been using on my actual necklaces.
3-4 mm and as they said , sometimes the holes are a bit small. On some beads you can use a reamer to widen the hole a bit for the wire.
The only way I would go 6mm on the focal wrap is if I had 2 stones I were to be joining together to form the focal wrap.
Like use the 6mm as a connecting link.
For the more delicate lacy looking stones and such I would stick with the 3 mm. Adds just a bit of sparkle without detracting any from the stone.
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Post by Donnie's Rocky Treasures on Dec 3, 2009 17:06:43 GMT -5
I tried a 4 mm crystal & 3 mm on 22 square and that was fine. Then I tried them on 21 square. The 4 was o.k. the 3 was not. Kentuckyrocker is right, a 6 mm crystal really is starting to get too big to just be an enhancement.
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damammy
has rocks in the head
Member since January 2009
Posts: 697
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Post by damammy on Dec 3, 2009 19:25:03 GMT -5
Ok Shannon I happen to have a wrap with beads sitting where I took it off on my desk and I found a ugly bead 6mm. The crystals on this wrap are 4 mm bicone the gold filled between the crystals are 3mm and the ugly lavender one is 6mm way to big. If you are like me you want to see. Donna  |
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Dec 3, 2009 20:46:27 GMT -5
Ack! That 6mm looks awful! I am one that prefers simple wraps anyway. I am so glad I got this info prior to ordering the beads. I was going to order last night, got lazy and decided to wait til tonight. Im so glad! The 6mm beads would have been a waste of money. I did not know about the reamers either since I have never worked with beads before. Do the reamers work on gemstone beads though? I am assuming not since they are so dang hard to drill in the first place. I only want to use gemstone beads so I can keep with the stone theme.
Thanks everyone!
Shan
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Dec 3, 2009 20:48:50 GMT -5
Oops, never mind. Wolf just said that he has some diamond reamers that would work on the gemstone beads if the holes are a bit too small.  Shan PS-Thank you again Donna. I am definitely one that needs a visual LOL. |
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kentuckyrocker
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since November 2008
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Post by kentuckyrocker on Dec 3, 2009 21:08:28 GMT -5
6mm beads work real well if you are putting the wrap on a beaded gemstone necklace. Not a total waste If I get time tomorrow, I will put a few pics of my necklaces up so you can see the sizes. Some wraps go best on chain or cable- some just shine with coordinating gemstones. |
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Dec 3, 2009 21:50:23 GMT -5
Thank you! I would love to see some of your necklaces.
Shannon
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kentuckyrocker
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since November 2008
Posts: 217
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Post by kentuckyrocker on Dec 4, 2009 8:39:02 GMT -5
Well my puter wouldn't recognize my camera cable this morning so I have to go with last pics taken. I wanted to get some close ups for you -maybe hubby can sort it out for me later. This is one I made just 6mm beads- turquoise, pearls, and tiger eye. It went to my daughter, she likes the smaller beads.  This is one I made using a pre drilled pendant bead- and various sizes. I think the rutilated quartz measured out to be 10 mm and the pearls 8 mm.  Okay now for my wrapped. The first is the Peaches and Dreams agate that Brian so graciously offered for the name that cab contest. This is the one I really wanted to get a close up of- such a beautiful stone. Pics do not do this one justice at all. 10 mm peach agate beads with copper caps and 8mm peach pink pearls- really really nice.  This is a Garnet cab I got off of ebay way back when I had money lol! 6mm garnet beads, 8mm pearls and amber crystal.  a closer upper of the wrap  I have a tiffany stone I wrapped in copper that I just opted for a copper chain . To string it with beads would not have worked. The stone stands best on it's own . If hubby can figure out what is going on here with the camera cable, I will post a pic of it later. Theresa |
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CUL-Ann
spending too much on rocks
rock lover~
Member since September 2008
Posts: 380
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Post by CUL-Ann on Dec 4, 2009 11:45:22 GMT -5
:help: Someone slap me,,Please  ==I was trying to fast order some beads with my wire order and only read the size as 6mm then after completing the order I read more and now see that I should of ordered 4 mm. :blush: |
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Post by frane on Dec 5, 2009 7:38:45 GMT -5
Well, I am definitely learning from this thread so Shan, you have done me a favor by asking the question and everyone answering as well as the visuals! They help so much!
Fran
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==I was trying to fast order some beads with my wire order and only read the size as 6mm then after completing the order I read more and now see that I should of ordered 4 mm. :blush: 
