Know Your Gemstone and Jewelry Terms

Beads: Swarovski Crystal may be the finest crystal beads, due to their clarity, color and variety. Swarovski is an Austrian company that makes high-quality rhinestones, beautiful cut crystals, costume jewelry, and other glass-related items. Czech Glass Beads have the same vibrancy and shine as the Swarovski crystal, yet are a more cost effective alternative. Metals: Bali Beads are handcrafted in Bali, Indonesia and are exceptional in quality and detail. Because these items are individually crafted from silver by many bead artisans, there may be slight variations in bead size, form, hole size, and oxidation. Because of its popularity, more countries are now producing this type of beads. Therefore, the term "Bali beads" is now generally referring to "Bali-style beads". Bali Silver usually has less than 92.5% silver content therefore cannot be identified as sterling. Handmade Bali beads are far more superior in quality, giving more value to your jewelry. Hill Tribe Silver of Thailand (Thai Silver) are beads and pendants that have been made by the ethnic minorities that live in the mountain regions of northern Thailand. Rhodium is a white precious metal. Rhodium is often used to plate precious and base metals, giving jewelry a hard, platinum-like sheen. Sterling silver is becoming one of the most popular metals in the jewelry industry. Most people that have allergic reactions to some metals are able to wear sterling silver. Sterling silver is easy to clean and care for. It will tarnish with time, but a little rubbing with a polishing cloth, and it will look good as new. 14kt gold-filled