Home / Beads / Beader's Glossary

This is the place to find out what a Peridot or a Labradorite is. There are over 80 bead-related terms for you to browse.

Note: Some of the definitions and descriptions used here are copyright 1995 by Ornamental Resources, Incorporated. We are grateful for their permission to quote from their catalog to create this feature. This information may not be reproduced or distributed for financial gain or included in commercial collections or compilations without express permission from Ornamental Resources, Inc., P.O. Box 3010WW, Idaho Springs CO 80452. Visitors are permitted to print out this section for personal use only.

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Naturally occurring turquoise is becoming rarer every year. African "turquoise" is an exotic blend of base color and dark matrices in blues and greens that is actually a jasper. Jasper is a member of the chalcedony family, a type of quartz. The stone is opaque and fine grained, and typically occurs in shades of red, yellow, green, greyish blue, brown and combinations of these. Jasper is partially organic, and is used in many forms of jewelry and lapidary arts. Jasper was known as the great "rain-bringer" in the fourth century, and is known as a powerful physical healer said to promote beauty and grace and rebound negativity back to the sender. It is a stone of the earth, and therefore very grounding. Jasper is commonly found in the regions of North Africa, Sicily, France, India, Venezuela, Germany and the United States.

To produce the desired color for their beads, African beadmakers melt colored glass from bottles or other glass items in a small, woodburning furnace formed by hand from clay. They then use iron rods to form the molten glass into various shapes. Today, entire villages are supported by beadmaking cooperatives formed by African women. In the vivid colors and irregularly formed glass beads they produce, they convey their unique sense of style while providing themselves and their families with financial independence.

Agate is a type of quartz that has hidden or microscopic crystals and bands of color forming a circular pattern.

Amazonite is a green striped or spotted variety of microline feldspar, an important rock-making group of minerals that make up about one-half of the Earth's crust.

Amber is not a stone, but a yellowish-brown substance formed from the resin of the amber pine of Northern Europe. Transparent amber can be 120-180 million years old. Opaque amber can be 60 million years old. During great changes in the Earth's surface, trees became buried in the earth or under water. The resin hardened into irregularly shaped lumps and through time washed up on the shores of the Baltic Sea, where most of the world's supply of amber is found. The names comes from the Arabic anbar. The Greeks called it electron due to its color or its ability to collect a small negative charge when rubbed. Amber dust mixed with honey or water was used to treat eyes, ears, stomach, liver and kidneys. The smell of burning amber helped women through labor. Figures have been found carved out of amber by Stone Age shamans during Neolithic times, and Roman warriors studded their mail with amber for good luck in battle. Today, scientists study the insects trapped in amber of long ago, to learn more about our past.

Amethyst is a quartz crystal and gets its name from a Greek word "amethustos" meaning "not drunken", as this grape-colored stone was believed to protect against intoxication by alcohol. Amethyst is a variety of quartz, prized for its fine purple color. It is the birthstone of February and is believed to bestow stability, strength, invigoration and peace. Since it is believed to support sobriety, it is an excellent stone for one who is attempting to find freedom from addictive personalities. It is believed to bring luck, constancy and spiritual awareness.

Japanese seed beads made of precisely cut glass, making them uniform in shape and size and color. They have large holes compared to their diameter. These beads are not old. "Antique" is a trade mark of Toho Corp. Miyuki Shoji Corp.

Aquamarine come from Latin and translates as "water of the sea." Sailors used to carry this stone as a good-luck talisman. It is believed to bring love and affection to the wearer. A symbol of youth, hope, happiness, wealth and affection, aquamarine is purported to ensure faithfulness in relationships. Legend has it that this stone originated in the treasure chests of mermaids.

Aragonite is a mineral that forms from skeletons of different sea life. Aragonite was first discovered in Aragon province, Spain where its name was derived. Locations for occurrence include Spain, Mexico, Morocco, New Mexico, and Arizona. Aragonite varies in color and can be white, gray, colorless, yellow, pale green, violet, or brown. Aragonite is also the primary mineral that makes up the organic compound commonly known as mother of pearl. Aragonite is a grounding stone, often used to center and ground physical energies during stressful times and strengthen one's connection with the earth.

Rainbow or iridescent effect coating on transparent glass, usually on one side of the bead.

Aventurine is sometimes mistaken for jade. It is a type of quartz with crystals so small they cannot be seen with the naked eye. Aventurine is considered a power stone, excellent for attracting abundance and wealth. It is said to help the wearer through stressful situations and reinforces one's decision-making abilities and leadership qualities. Many also believe it to be a healing stone for relieving stress, anxiety, and emotional discomfort, helping the wearer see alternatives and potential.

The bone beads are batik. The word batik is of Javanese origin and means to mark with spots in drawing, painting or writing. The term was first recorded in the 17th century and referred to a shipload of decorated fabric. Batiking now denotes a process by which part of an item is covered by a substance, usually wax, to retain its original color while being dyed another color.

Large, semi-precious stone beads (usually agate, quartz, etc.)

Unplated, unlacquered raw metal. Formulas with varying proportions of copper and zinc are alloyed together to achieve different brass colors and different ductility (workability) of metal.

Thin tubular shaped glass beads manufactured in lengths from 2 millimeters to 35 millimeters.

Calcite is a sedimentary mineral and the main component of limestone. It is found in many colors including red, orange, green, honey and blue.

In Eastern cultures, carnelian is favored as promoting strength. A stone of ambition and drive, it is said to help the wearer make choices and decisions. Carnelian stimulates analytical capabilities and precision and stimulates your curiosity and inquisitiveness. Long revered for its healing, spiritual and creative qualities, carnelian is said to protect the user from all negative emotions.

Regular, smooth seed beads, usually in size 13, with one facet. Typically made in Czechoslovakia. Also known as "one-cut."

Multiple layers of different colored glass laid down in corrugated layers so as to form a starburst pattern when viewed on end.

Multi-color striped beads, in 3 to 5mm, in reds, blues, yellows, greens, etc. These beads are typically 100-300 old, originally made in Venice and Spain for African trade.

Chrysocolla is a mineral with veins of blue-green color found throughout the Southwest, as well as in Mexico and Peru.

Hand carved lacquered wood, usually in red, made in China.

Citrine is a type of quartz with brownish to yellow colors. Because of its similar appearance, it is sometimes called false topaz. Citrine's sunny yellow name is derived from the French word for lemons, or citron. Believed to have protective qualities, citrine was worn by ancient people to ward off evil.

Beads made out of coconut shells.

Coral, whose name is derived from the Greek koralion which means "pebble" was highly treasured by the Greeks for its beauty. It was found among the personal possessions of the Egyptians and Babylonians and in Neolithic graves of Europe dating back 10,000 years. Varied in color from pale to deep red, coral represents the 35th wedding anniversary and is thought to protect against magic spells, cure madness, and bestow wisdom. In many countries, coral is given to children as a gift for their protection, a tradition dating back to Ancient Romans. The Spanish used it to protect their babies from the "evil eye" and tied a small piece of coral to their cribs or around their necks. The Indians of New Mexico and Arizona believed coral brought good luck, long life and virility to the wearer and treasured it as much as gold. It is believed that the deeper red coral is in color, the more potency it will have. The wearing of red coral is said to increase vitality, courage and the ability to work on endeavors through to their fruition. The coral beads we use are derived from coral farms so as not to harm our natural reefs.

Small metal bead use to end pieces stranded in tiger tail.

Beads made of segments of drawn tubes of glass of various thicknesses, typically slightly oval in shape due to tumbling and polishing, the shorter dimension being through the hole. Larger than Pony beads. Size 33/0 (8mm, with a 2mm hole).

Glass with at least 30% lead, in order to produce a highly refractive quality.

Japanese seed beads made of precisely cut glass, making them uniform in shape and size and color. They have large holes compared to their diameter. "Delica" is a trade mark of Miyuki Shoji Corp. Toho Corp. manufactures similar beads named "Antiques".

The strongest and most brilliant of gemstones, the diamond's name is thought to derive from adamas, Greek for "invincible." Diamonds are believed to drive away devils and were the object of desire of kings for centuries. One legend states that the protective magic in diamonds is only present when the stone is offered as a gift or a token to another - perhaps the basis for the tradition of using diamonds in engagement rings.

Glass beads sliced from a long tube drawn while hot from a blob of glass with an air bubble to make the bead hole. The beads are then usually tumbled and/or reheated to soften the edges and give the beads a rounded appearance. Specifically designates seed, pony, crow and bugle beads.

Round, smooth, glass beads.

Transparent or translucent bead in which silver or gold foil has been trapped within the body or on the surface of the bead.

Garnet, whose name is derived from the Latin malum granatum referring to the seeds of a pomegranate, is a strong and highly light refractive stone. Garnets come in different colors. Most typically, garnets are a deep reddish-purple, but are also found in green and brown shades. Garnets are believed by some to aid in blood-related diseases and to cure anger and discord. Loyalty, friendship and steadfastness are all qualities said to be conferred on those who wear this stone.

Glass with shallow translucence that gives it a greasy appearance, as if coated with petroleum jelly. Usually a seed or pony bead.

Brass toned with a tiny amount of real gold.

Tiny disc or tube shaped beads cut from natural shell and stone materials.

Howlite is a clustered white stone with black markings found in desert borax deposits. It presents with nodules that resemble the heads of cauliflower. Howlite accepts dyes easily and has become an affordable substitute for turquoise and other colored stones.

Rainbow or iridescent effect coating on opaque glass.

Jasper is a member of the chalcedony family, a type of quartz. The stone is opaque and fine grained, and typically occurs in shades of red, yellow, green, greyish blue, brown and combinations of these. Jasper is partially organic, and is used in many forms of jewelry and lapidary arts. Jasper was known as the great "rain-bringer" in the fourth century, and is known as a powerful physical healer said to promote beauty and grace and rebound negativity back to the sender. It is a stone of the earth, and therefore very grounding. Jasper is commonly found in the regions of North Africa, Sicily, France, India, Venezuela, Germany and the United States.

Jet, also called lignite, is a soft brownish-black material that has been formed from peat under pressure. It can be found in bituminous coal seams within Chaco Canyon, New Mexico. It takes a high polish and was easily worked by the Anasazi Indians into beads, buttons, mosaics with shell and turquoise, and various carved items during the Chaco's high period from 1020 to 1120 A.D. The Zunis began making jewelry w ith cut stones, specifically jet, turquoise and shell, in about 1890. Thirty years later, the Zuni began carving fetishes, or small animal pendants, from these same materials. They were inspired by artifacts being recovered from excavations in the nearby Hawikuh Pueblo.

Labradorite is a grayish almost opaque form of feldspar with flashes of blue, green, and/or yellow visible at certain angles. It was first discovered on the Canadian peninsula of Labrador in 1770. It shows irridescent color (labradorescence) in lustrous metallic tints, often blue and green, though rare specimens with the complete spectrum are very valuable. There are deposits in Canada (Labrador, Newfoundland), also in the Malagasy Republic, Mexico, Russia and the US.

Handmade glass beads made by manipulating slender glass rods in front of a gas burner.

A favorite and sacred stone of the Egyptians, the deep night-sky blue lapis is one of the most ancient stones fashioned for human adornment. A sacred stone among many peoples, powdered lapis was used to create the pigment in the ultramarine blue paint favored by the masters of classical art. The name is believed to be a combination of the Latin lapis for stone and azul which is Arabic for blue. Lapis is believed to be the stone of honesty and friendship.

Thin tubular beads, straight or twisted, approximately 1/16" x 1/4" long, silver or gold plated.

Core glass onto which different colored glass or glasses are fused while hot, as in turquoise-matrix. (Hubble).

Very bright Japanese beads made from a fiberglass-like material.

Mother-of-pearl belongs to the ostreidae family and is found in temperate and warm coastal waters of all oceans. The mother-of-pearl shell was seen in early Christian wall mosaics, inlaid into furniture and keyhole decorations during the 17th and 18th centuries, and in handles for knives, silverware, kitchen utensils, and shoe-button hooks. In the 1800's mother-of-pearl was used extensively for buttons throughout the United States, and can still be seen on clothing today.

Beads made from the hardened sap of the Myrrh tree, in Africa. Fragrant.

Chinese glass bead painted from the inside.

Obsidian is volcanic lava that cooled quickly. It is a stone of protection, and was probably one the first stones to be used for arrowheads and knives.

Onyx is known to help release negative emotions such as sorrow and grief. It is used to end unhappy or bothersome relationships. Onyx guards against negativity that is directed at you. Black stones have protective energies in the sense that black is the absence of light, and therefore, can be used to create invisibility. Onyx is said to fortify self confidence and responsibility, sharpen senses and encourages a healthy sense of self worth.

Opals' fascinating play of light, created by multiple compressed silica spheres within the stone, is referred to as "opalescence." Ancient people revered the opal as a symbol of faithfulness; its name is derived from upala, Sanskrit for "precious stone." The Greeks believed it to cure all eye ailments and carried it as a talisman of good luck.

Turquoise colored glass trade beads made in China during the 17th and 18th century.

Pearls have been fashioned into jewelry for thousands of years. The inner glow of the pearl (or pearlescence) gives it a mystical appearance and has been linked to moonlight and magic. Freshwater pearls are being cultivated in a wide variety of colors and shapes for the modern market. Pearls are believed to bring good luck, success, happiness and purity to the wearer, making it an ideal stone for brides.

The vivid green of the peridot, reminiscent of the first signs of emerging life after the darkness of winter, has long been associated with the sun. A member of the olivine family, the word "peridot" is French and believed to be derived from the Arabic word faridot which means "gemstone." Peridot is thought by some to prevent blindness and to contain rays of sunlight. It first arrived in Europe during the crusades and quickly became a prized material for church ornamentation.

Generic term for transparent to opaque glass made in mainland China in colors that are more subtle than those in glass made elsewhere.

Dyed opaque swirled multicolored patterns over opaque glass.

Beads made of segments of drawn tubes of glass of various thicknesses, typically slightly oval in shape due to tumbling and polishing, the shorter dimension being through the hole. Larger than seed beads and smaller than crows. Also known as "E" beads, sizes 5/0 or 6/0. Pony beads were made prior to seed beads and were used extensively during the 1830's to 1850's.

Quartz, or rock crystal, is most commonly formed from the two most abundant elements in the earth's crust- silicon and oxygen. Quartz is colorless and transparent in its natural state. Colored specimens vary according to shade, transparency, size of crystals and crystal form. There are hundreds of unique quartz varieties including rose quartz, citrine and amethyst.

Flattened bead with center hole.

Ancient Greeks referred to rock crystal as krystallos or "ice" and believed this form of quartz to be petrified ice. Used to create traditional crystal balls, the stone is often associated with magic and fortune-telling and is thought by some to be good for maintaining spiritual balance.

Irregular shaped beads, made from a tree from Java, and used as prayer beads by the natives.

Shimmering translucent glass that appears to consist of fibers of differing tones of the same color.

Rich, brilliant iris coating, usually over jet glass.

Beads made of segments of drawn tubes of glass of various thicknesses, typically slightly oval in shape due to tumbling and polishing, the shorter dimension being through the hole. Smaller than Pony beads, usually ranging in size from 8/0 to 24/0. The larger the number the smaller the bead.

Serpentine gets its name from the word 'serpent' because the mottled coloration of some forms of the stone resembles the skin of a snake. It has been used since ancient times to guard against disease and sorcery. It is produced both in a stone-like and a gem-like finish. Serpentine was considered a meditation stone, promoting inner peace and was carried in ancient Assyria to request the gods and goddesses to provide double blessings. Some of the ancient beliefs about serpentine included that it protected against poisonous creatures such as snakes and insects, balanced mood swings and encouraged the ability to solve conflicts by peaceful means. Serpentine is found in New Zealand, China, Afghanistan, South Africa, USA, and England.

Shell are marine life, a hard covering developed to protect an animal inside. Shells can be found in every color of the rainbow. Archeological evidence from southern Arizona dating as early as 10,000 years ago indicated that shells were used as containers and arrived by way of the trade routes originating in the Gulf of California. The ancient Aztecs paid tribute to the Emperor Montezuma with shells, and the Native Americans of the Eastern seaboard strung shells together to for "money" which was called wampum. Arab traders and tribes of West Africa also used strung shell disks for monetary exchange. As early as the 15th century B.C. purple dye was extracted from Mediterranean shells to create the royal color that has remained associated with high status. In the prehistoric Southwest, thousands of shell beads have been found as grave offerings in cremations and burials, indicating jewelry was essential in the afterlife along with tools, food and clothing.

Very old (200-300 years old) orange glass originally made in China.

Spiny oyster shell is found around the world. Spiny oyster shell was commonly used throughout Ancient Mexico, where many prehistoric artifacts still exist. An entire breastplate that covered the body from neck to waist was recovered at the ruins in Tula, capital of the Toltecs about 968 A.D. Spiny oyster was inlaid with turquoise, jade and pyrite into funerary masks as early as the 8th century A.D. and brought to the heights of craftsmanship, decorating such pieces as sacrificial knives of the Mixtecs during 900 to 1500 A.D. The prehistoric Indians of Arizona and New Mexico also had access to spiny oyster and incorporated it into their ornaments as early as 700 A.D. An interesting characteristic is the fact that spiny oyster shell's color corresponds to the depth of the water from which it is harvested. The deeper the water, the darker the color. In shallow waters, spiny oyster shell is white to a pale orange. In deeper waters, the shell is dark red-orange to purple. Purple spiny oyster shell is the most rare and valuable.

Sodalite is a blue mineral that is often mistaken for lapis lazuli. Colorless in its pure state, some specimens are fluorescent in ultraviolet light. Sodalite is said to increase one's confidence and to enhance creativity, and to have a balancing effect on one's emotions and mental state. It is claimed to alleviate fear and bring clarity of mind, strengthen the metabolism and lymphatic system and enhance self expression and communication.

Stainless steel -- a non-allergenic material when not plated. It is darker and grayer than sterling silver.

Tiger's eye is a brown quartz with lustrous yellow and brown parallel fibers. The yellow-gold colors, produced by iron oxides, create small rays of light that glitter on the surface, much like the eyes of a cat. The largest deposits of tiger's eye are in South Africa, Australia, Burma, India and the United States. It is found in various shades of light or dark brown and if cut properly, it resembles a female's cat's eye. Tiger's eye has the grounding energy of the earth, but is embellished with glowing warmth, the influence of the yellow/gold highlights of the fibrous inclusions. Tiger's Eye is said to help the wearer recognize the resources within and use those resources for the attainment of dreams.

Also known as the rainbow gemstone, tourmaline ranges from raspberry to emerald to Caribbean blue to watermelon. Green shades of tourmaline are thought to attract money, and all shades are believed to benefit love and friendship through stability. The name is believed to stem from the Singhalese turi mali meaning "stone of mixed colors".

Old glass beads mostly made in Venice 200-400 years ago, used for trade in Africa and the Orient. Usually large, cylindrical, and colorful.

Turquoise is the jeweler's birthstone for December, as well as for the 11th wedding anniversary. Turquoise is said to represent the earth and air elements, and is the planetary stone for Aquarius. It was used in Egypt in 5,500 B.C., mined for centuries in Iran where it is the national gem, and adorned personal ornaments in Ancient Mexico. It arrived in Europe during the Crusades, and its name means "Turkish stone." Europeans give turquoise jewelry as forget-me-nots, and some Russians use turquoise in wedding rings. In Greece, Turkey and Tibet, this stone represents purity. Turquoise plays a role in myth and legend for the Egyptians, Aztecs and Navajos, as well. Navajo women never leave their hogans without wearing their turquoise, which they consider a shield against evil. According to Native American tradition, a turquoise attached to a bow will guide the arrow to its target, and similarly it guides the traveler to a safe and happy trail's end. In modern times, it symbolizes confidence, fidelity, friendship and positive mental outlook. North American turquoise typically contains inclusions from nearby rock fragments or oxides. American turquoise specimens are generally greener than stones from Asia and have white or brown matrices.

Pronounced "ver-may," this 24k gold look-alike is a base of sterling silver coated with gold, typically 22k.

Glass beads made in Czechoslovakia around 1920, usually stripped in yellows, blues, and greens.

Bead made of two layers, the inside layer being white, and the outside usually red, orange, or pink. These are not heart shaped! Most white hearts are antique.

Golden or yellow topaz was believed by ancient people to be fashioned of rays of sunlight captured in stone. Naturally occurring in shades of yellow, brown, amber, pink and more rarely blue, it is worn to enhance eyesight and to cure insomnia and allergies. Topaz was believed by the Greeks to enable the wearer to become invisible when threatened.