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.

ALL | A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z |

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.