"Designing with Natural Gemstones"

Designing with Beads from Nature

Throughout the years organic gems have been used in jewelry. Their historical significance is just as interesting as their appearance. If you are designing using new or vintage glass beads or using lots of seed beads in your work you can easily add gemstones to your creations, oftentimes increasing their value. Following is a brief guide to some of nature’s bead wonders.

CORAL: Coral was used in jewelry as early as 25,000 years. It has been prized by many cultures. Beautiful orange coral was carved by the Bhutanese, high in the Himalayas. Although Coral is strong, its elasticity makes it ideal for carving. It’s native to the world seas, especially those with large reefs in the warmer waters of the Indian and Pacific Ocean. Some finds of coral when first harvested or heated can be bent and formed into bracelets and curved shapes. Most Coral is too soft and porous for cutting. Because of its branching nature, you’ll find most pieces small and thin. Oftentimes it is shaped into beads or small charms. There are many varieties of coral. The usual color is red to pinkish but you can also find shades of red and white. From the Hawaiian Islands you can find spectacular, almost metallic gold coral. Red and pink specimens are considered to be more valuable because of their rarity. So, next time you see coral beads or charms study it a little more to appreciate its pure natural beauty.

PEARLS: Pearls are among the most precious of beads. They are also the most imitated Usually with a glass or plastic base that has been covered with a fish scales paste. Although some of them, especially the vintage ones have a wonderful luster none of them rivals the translucence of a genuine pearl. The natural glow can be only achieved with layer after layer of nacre. The layers are made up of calcium carbonate and conchiolin (an organic substance). Pearls hold a small amount of water trapped inside giving them their unique glow. Natural pearls can be found in a wide range of colors and shades. Oysters are the most common find for pearls but precious pearls can also be found from abalones and mussels. The South Pacific yields pearls striking pastels and ivory. The pastels range from delicate pinks and lavenders to an almost green color. The deeper almost metallic shades of blue, gray, black, gold and silver. These are found mostly in the Caribbean and are quite rare. In ancient times, divers risked their lives for rare priceless gems. In many parts of the Orient pearls were believed to be the “frozen tears of the gods”. They were also thought to have magical properties. Today there is mass culturing of both fresh and saltwater varieties and they are abundant. Incorporate these beauties into your next design and watch it become warm and elegant.

AMBER: From the shores of the Baltic sea to the mines of Hispaniola (the Dominican Republic) pieces beyond description can be found in shades of clear, strong yellow to beautiful scarlet. In Central America, mines are found to possess chunks of deep-green or blue amber, although this is rare. You will find more amber in a yellow-brown to brownish-red color and usually transparent. Semi-opaque amber is also found. The cloudiness is caused by tiny air bubbles and impurities trapped inside. You can also find this amber in a milky white, called “bone amber.” Amber is the only gem whose value and beauty is enhances by inclusions of insect and small leaves. In fact, in my opinion it makes amber one of the only true organic gems. Amber is soft and light. Real amber will float on salt water and gives off a piney, aromatic scent when warmed or burned. In ancient civilizations, amber was more precious than gold and was traded and tightly controlled by the rich and powerful. It was also said to be rays of sunshine solidified on water. Still others thought it was golden tears of god. It was also thought to have supernatural powers, they often wore it to protect them from evil spirits. Personally, I love amber and am always in awe of the radiant beauty locked up in such small pieces.


I’ve covered just a few of natures beauties…in a future article I’ll share more information on natures gemstones.