You can make your very own layered diamond bead necklace. Here’s how:
You will need: Craft thread, a needle, a pair of sharp scissors, a necklace clasp of any kind. Two sizes of round diamond beads, small metal placer beads and some differently shaped diamond beads like tubes or cubes.

To start cut three strands of the thread. One should be 21 inches, second 17 inches and third 13 inches. Start with the shortest thread the 13 inch, thread the needles and string the beads. Start with the smallest on top and largest at bottom, to give a great layered outlook. Stop 2 inches short of the end of thread, it will give you length to tie off the thread.

Thread the end of 13 inch strand via the second half of your necklace clasp and tie it on. This will prevent the beads from falling off smallest strand while you do the other two.

Repeat the process with the 17 inch and 21 inch threads stopping 2 inches short of the end and tie them to the necklace clasp. Once you have finished the strands, add a drop of glue to the knots of first half and second half of the clasp to add strength to the knots. After you have completed, you should have three swags of beads roughly 18, 14 and 10 inches respectively.

Since these necklaces are so simple and easy to make, they are a big craft experience for children of 8 and above. Teens may also make and exchange these necklaces and children will discover that they are great Mother’s day gifts. Children would most probably prefer to work with layer beads because they are easy to work with. A nice 05/0 or 06/0 bead is normally best for kids 8-12 and some grownups also may prefer larger beads. Tri-strand necklaces bead necklaces may be made with any kind of beads and in any kind of colors and a pendant may be added to the lowest strand, making it the most versatile of all bead necklaces. You can purchase layered necklaces from New York Jewelers .

Types 
Like we said, tourmaline beads are available in a variety of colors. Most tourmaline occurs in various shades pink or green. But it also occurs in shades of red, brown, blue, yellow and black. Red to pink varieties of tourmaline are known in the trade as rubellite, black is known as schorl, green is sometimes known as verdelite, blue as indigolite or indicolite. However these names are used by traders and should not be confused with proper gemological names. The proper gemological name is tourmaline with the color prefix. For example: green tourmaline, pink tourmaline, black tourmaline etc. Black tourmaline or schorl is often used in mourning jewelry. Tourmaline beads can be either faceted or smooth. Not only beads, tourmaline is also cut as faceted stones and is often used in lieu of rubies (red tourmaline) and emeralds (green tourmaline) to bring down the cost of jewelry. This ensures that the jewelry remains authentic while at the same time the price is more pocket-friendly for the consumer.

Shapes 
Tourmaline beads are offered in various shapes. Tumbled beads have irregular shapes but a mirror smooth finish. Oval, cube, tubes, drops and faceted drops are some other shapes which tourmaline beads are available in. Tourmaline briolettes are often used in chandelier earrings. A briolette is a tear or drop shaped stones with tiny facets over it. Most often it is only partly drilled as it forms the dangling end of earrings or the fringe of necklaces.

Interesting facts

Pyroelectricity
Tourmaline has important electrical properties. It is pyroelectric, which means that when heated the tourmaline crystal develops positive and negative electricity at opposite ends. This is the reason why tourmaline jewelry attracts more dust than any other gemstone jewelry when stored in a heated display window.

Piezoelectricity
Tourmaline is also piezoelectric, which means electricity can be generated when pressure is applied in a particular direction of the crystal. Due to this tourmaline is used in special depth-recording apparatus for deep-sea divers and craft.

Bi-Color Tourmaline (Watermelon)
Tourmaline occurs in a unique bi-colored form. Such stones having a green outer part and pink center and are very much in demand as ‘watermelon tourmaline’. Slices of such tourmaline are carved with intricate designs and used as the centerpiece in large pendant necklaces or signature bold cuffs.

Paraiba Tourmaline
By and large the most famous type of tourmaline is the Paraiba tourmaline. Mined in the Paraiba region of Brazil, this stone is much coveted for its bright neon blue color. Some samples of Paraiba tourmaline may fetch prices higher than ruby and sapphire, since they are so rare and much in demand.

Types
Blue sapphire beads are available in almost all colors of blue. From a rich dary inky blue these stones also occur in pale ice blue, appealing to almost every choice a person may have. Belonging to the gem family of corundum, blue sapphire beads are not in any danger of breaking or chipping as corundum is an extremely hard substance. In fact it is second only to diamond in hardness. So rest assured that apart from being beautiful your blue sapphire beads are guaranteed to be tough as well. Beauty and strength, what a combination! Ranging from two to five mm in diameter blue sapphire beads can be worn as a single strand or as several twined together.

Shapes 
Blue sapphire beads can be bought in different shapes. The most common and definitely the most popular shape are of course round. Another variation of the round bead is roundel, which is slightly flattened at the ends where the holes are situated. Roundels may be smooth or faceted. However faceted beads reflect more light and hence faceted roundel beads are more popular. Other shapes are asymmetrical shapes called as tumbled beads.

Star sapphires in cabochon shapes are much sought after. In these stones, a four or six rayed star appears on the surface of the stone if it is kept under a single strong source of light.

Interesting facts
Ceylon sapphires and Kashmir sapphires are the most famous and the most coveted of all the blue sapphires.

Sapphire is the birthstone for the month of September and the Zodiac birthstone for the star sign Taurus.

It is said to imbibe values of truth, sincerity, commitment, and loyalty in the wearer.

However, some Indian astrologers advise against wearing this stone as it is believed to bring either extreme prosperity or extreme misfortune and so the astrologers advise against taking the risk.

In the west though this stone is extremely popular, and after Prince William proposed to Kate Middleton with this stone, it has become moreso.

If you adored Catherine's ring, chances are you adored her dress and shoes too! With a wonderful blue-sapphire ring, you can complete your own Princess outfit.

Types
Aquamarine beads are available in many sizes and shapes. Aquamarine beads range in size from 9 mm to 40 mm diameters in round beads. Tumbled aquamarine beads, carved ones, smooth or cabochons- all are used in jewelry. They may range in color from a vibrant aqua blue to a pale icy blue. Green tones if present are often removed by heat treatment.

Shapes
Like all gemstone beads, aquamarine beads too are available in a plethora of shapes and sizes. Aquamarine tubes, cubes, briolettes, carved beads, roundels, ovals and irregular shaped tumbled beads all make up a range of offerings for those interested in this beautiful stone. Aquamarine beads strung along with gold beads are used to make lariat necklaces that are all the rage as summer accessories in fashion circles nowadays.

Interesting facts
Brazil is the main producer of aquamarine, but China, India, Australia, Africa, and the United States also produce quantities of the stone.

Aquamarine stones are relatively inclusion free. This means that large flawless crystals are available which can then be cut into beautiful big stones.

In ancient times aquamarines were used to treat poisoning and for fortune telling. They were also soaked in water and this water was used to treat ailments of the heart, liver, stomach, throat and mouth.

Read complete story here: http://beacab-gems-inc.blogspot.in/2010/12/how-to-choose-gemstone-beads.html

Who first beholds the light of day
In spring's sweet, flower month of May
And wears an emerald all her life
Shall be a loved and a loving wife.

It is well-known for its healing properties, gazing at an emerald is supposed to soothe the eyes and it is even believed to cure epilepsy in children.

Though a lot of estate and expensive jewelry is made using cut stones, emerald beads are a fashion statement untothemselves. You can choose from a single strand graduated stone necklace or several rows of matched and graduated emerald beads to add pizzazz to that little black dress or evening gown- as the occasion demands.

A single emerald may set you back by a pretty penny, since it is rare to find clean gem-quality emeralds. However emerald beads are aplenty since this material is abundantly available in the market as it is not imperative for beads to be totally transparent.

So how do you go about choosing your emerald beads? Well, the ideal colour for an emerald is a pleasing deep-green; the colour of new leaves after a cleansing rainfall. However various tones may be present or the depth of colour may vary from stone to stone. While choosing your emerald beads from your jeweller or ordering them online, make sure all the beads in the string are evenly colored. Emerald beads wholesale at reasonable prices online and many wholesalers also allow for retail single-purchase orders. Genuine emerald beads can be bought online as several reputed companies have a presence on the Internet nowadays.

Large emerald beads, small and medium in a variety of sizes and shapes are available. For themore adventurous options such as cabochons (a stone with a flat surface and a domed polished top), carvings (stones carved as leaves, flowerets, with striations and designs on their surface), cut stones and drops (tear drop shaped stones with a hole drilled at one end or drilled through) are also available. Beads can be used innovatively in single or multiple strands as necklaces. A long string of small equal-sized emerald beads interspersed with several large silver tubes at intervals can be used as a bohemian chic lariat when worn wrapped twice around your neck or several times on your wrist. Cabochons and carvings are best left to a professional jeweller to set in gold or silver. These pieces are ideal for that custom made jewelry piece you have always dreamed of designing yourself.

Connoisseurs are also able to pick from numerous shapes such as smooth-finished ovals, drum-shaped cylinders, faceted crystals or cubes. Briolettes- that are faceted drop-shaped beads with a hole drilled at one or both ends are also a hit among jewelry designers and enthusiasts. These can be used to infuse elegance in long dangling earrings or add that finishing touch of color and class to necklaces. Genuine black diamond beads will have a bright lustre owing to the extreme hardness of diamond. Given the nature of diamonds not much precaution is required while handling or cleaning your jewelry. However like everything precious be gentle on the jewelry and use a good quality detergent and brush to clean your jewelry. Always dry your jewelry before storing it.

Wholesale black diamond beads are available in different sizes and in strands of varying lengths form 15 inches upwards. Every size fromlarge black diamond beads down to the smallest chips is available for sale. A strand of matched, graduated genuine diamond beads could be a fitting replacement for the heirloom family pearls- and so much more durable too! In fact diamond being the hardest substance on earth there is very little by way of toughness that pearls can claim as opposed to it. That is not to take away credit from pearls, but wouldn't it be great not to have any concerns about the annual restringing and care generally required of pearls!?

Black diamond beads are not only for jewelry designers and manufacturers. In fact is it very easy for do-it-yourself types who have a love of making their own jewelry to fabricate beautiful neckpieces out of diamond beads. These could be used in combination with gold, silver or other colored stone beads to make interesting and unique pieces for personal use or gifting. Neck clasps or hooks are available at your local jeweler or you could Google for dealers in your area for the required raw material.

So now we come to the most important part of your foray into jewelry making- the sourcing of black diamond beads. The Internet is the answer to all our prayers so it seems. Wholesale black diamond beads are available with retailers and wholesalers on the web. It is now possible to place orders for genuine black diamond beads with these online stores from the comfort of your home. The order can be placed through their website, email or phone. Merchandise is shipped across the length and breadth of several continents at a cost. It is possible to view the gems online at the dealer's website, or you could see them in real-time using a webcam or Skype. Black diamond beads wholesale at these website at attractive prices and have numerous choices for the discerning customer. Carved and loose black diamonds along with faceted black diamonds are also among the choices these suppliers offer.

For those who are not really the DIY types, these very same dealers offer wire jewelry made using diamond beads. Or you could always order and have your family jeweler string them up in a style that flatters you. One really can't go wrong with this eternal gem- the diamond. It adds grace and lends charm to its wearer and as we all know it is forever.

Variety
Mother Nature has provided us with more than 300 varieties of gem materials to choose from. So how do you decide which one you want? Well, the answer for this is rather simple- if you like it, that’s what you should buy. Having said that, ruby, emerald and sapphire are the most popular stones and there is the reason they enjoy this status. For eons, these stones have been revered and enjoyed across the world. In addition to being beautiful these stones are also quite durable and valuable. But you need not burn a hole in your pocket spending on a faceted stone. Emerald, ruby and sapphire beaded jewelry is an easy and affordable option to those who wish to buy gemstones and still remain solvent.

The real deal 
Ruby beads jewelry is available in many shades of red and plum. Graduated beads form elegant necklaces and bracelets. For the artist in you- you could even mix and match it with sapphire beads to form your own unique color co-ordinated neckpiece. Similarly emeralds beads jewelry is available at leading retailers and online stores. Bead necklaces may be simple but are the epitome of class. If you want something more elaborate you could choose to have a pendant necklace accented by ruby or sapphire beads. 

Of course one need not limit oneself to ruby, emerald and sapphire beads jewelry. There are several other equally beautiful gemstones to choose from. Tourmaline, topaz, pearls, amethyst, citrines are all beautiful gems in their own right. However the variety, shades and price points that ruby emerald and sapphire beads jewelry is available in makes them the first choice for any jewelry connoisseur. Whatever your final choice may be you just can’t go wrong with gemstone beads jewelry!

Estate 
Estate jewelry is simply jewelry that was previously owned by someone else. It may or may not be 'vintage'.

 

Collectible
Collectibles are antiques of tomorrow. These are items that are made around a specific theme, or in limited editions. For example; rings that have been designed around a centenary celebration.

Antique
An antique is an old item, desirable because of its age, beauty, rarity, condition, utility, personal emotional connection, or some other unique features. These definitions allow people to make a distinction between genuine antique pieces, vintage items, and collectible objects. As a rule of thumb an item must be at least 75 years old to be considered an antique.

So what is the difference between antique, estate and vintage jewelry? Now that we know the correct definitions of the three words it is easy to gauge that any previously owned item may be called estate jewelry. If it belongs to a comparatively recent era (1920 to 30s) it is vintage and if more than 75 or 100 years, an antique. 

The terms antique and vintage are often used interchangeably in the trade. There are no clearly demarcated lines in time that differentiate antiques from vintage or vice versa. Within these periods jewelry belongs to many eras such as Georgian, early Victorian (romantic jewelry), mid-Victorian (grand jewelry), late Victorian (aesthetic jewelry), Art Nouveau, Edwardian and Art Deco jewelry.

These different eras incorporated different designs and used different materials for jewelry fabrication. Recognizing vintage jewelry is a matter of experience.

Pawn shops, antique dealers, auction houses and specialist vintage or estate jewelry dealers are places where one can buy this jewelry from. Nowadays a lot of jewelry manufacturers make jewelry that is specially put through processes to make it look old. There is nothing wrong with buying from these jewelers. As far as pawn shops or antique dealers are concerned, their reputation is the only indication of the trustworthiness of their merchandise. Remember that it is very difficult to get provenance (or proof) of the items authenticity. The best bet is to go with your judgment, check the finish and quality of the piece thoroughly and if you like it- goes for it.

Visit here to know more about Faceted ruby beads

 Color
As with most colored gemstones the main factor affecting value is color. Famed emerald mines in Columbia- Chivor, Muzo and Cosquez are known for their distinctly colored yields more than anything else. Emeralds from the Chivor mine have a good blue-green color while those mined at Muzo are famed for their yellowish-green color and warm velvety appearance that is much prized amongst gem-collectors. 

But no matter what the shade of color; Columbian emeralds are in a class of their own. Although it may prove somewhat difficult to source Columbian emeralds that fit exactly into the color descriptions given above, many good quality stones exist in varying shades of green. Light, transparent varieties and bright, pleasing leaf green colored emeralds make charming additions to any jewelry collection. Deep forest green and a dewy bottle green too are acceptable colors for emerald beads. Commercial websites selling emeralds cut stones and beads may classify color as light, medium and dark green.

Shapes and sizes
Columbian emerald beads are available in several shapes including roundels (beads that are somewhat spherical but with flattened sides where the drill holes pass through), spheres, faceted round or smooth beads, faceted oval or rectangular beads and irregular shaped tumbled beads. Round beads range in size from 6 to 9 mm and are available in strands that range in different length combinations. Stands may measure in at 14 to 19 inches, 15 to 18 inches and may go up to 24 inches. Sugar-loaf cabochons (square shaped stones with a ‘sugar-loaf’ like domed top), oval cabochons and lozenge shaped emerald beads are also popular amongst jewelry designers and gem enthusiasts.
 

Emerald carvings are stones that are not usually drilled but carved in various fashions. Geometrical designs, floral patterns and traditional motifs are carved onto the stones surface with great care. Carvings can be as small as 6X3 mm in size and go up to 25X23 mm. They can be obtained in multiples and individual pieces may also be sourced.

Care
Though durable, emeralds have a reputation for being brittle. Cleaning, wearing and storing of emeralds therefore should involve a degree of cautiousness and care. Avoid sudden jolts, sharp taps and extreme changes of temperature to your emerald set jewelry. Always remove rings, earrings and bracelets before using hot appliances, strong detergents and household cleaning liquids. Store your jewelry separately in a proper jewelry box or bureau and segregate each piece with a tissue or cotton wool. Have beaded emeralds restrung at least once every two years and ensure there is a knot between two stones so as to prevent them from rubbing against each other. 

Never put emeralds in an ultrasonic jewelry cleaner. Warm water and the mildest detergent you can find along with a soft brush are enough for a regular cleaning. Always dry your jewelry gently after cleaning it.

Ruby- an introduction
Rubies, as we all know, are extremely durable gemstones that belong to the family corundum. In addition to the faceted stones that are widely used in rings and earrings, ruby beads are also available in the market. Due to its toughness and resilience to scratches and breakage ruby is an ideal material that can be cut, polished, drilled as beads in various ways. There are smooth ruby beads and striated (carved with parallel lines etched along their length) ones, tumbled (smooth but slightly irregular rectangle or lozenge-shaped) or faceted ruby beads. Ruby carvings, drops, briolettes and graduated strands are also some of the different ways a ruby is fashioned. Of course beautiful, warm tones of the color red also make it a material that is extensively used in jewelry of different kinds.

 

Ruby Strands
Ruby strands are made up of matched and sorted beads of almost the same color and size. Colors may be denoted as dark, medium or light red. Calibrated beads- smooth or faceted may range from a tiny 2 mm to 4.5 mm in diameter. Strands are also measured by their length in inches. Some of the length combinations are 16 to 19 inches, 19 to 21 or 22 inches, so on and so forth. The strands may be single or multiple lines- and consumers can choose as per their requirements. Strands are typically made up of round or roundel shaped beads (roundels are spheres with slightly flattened sides where the drill-holes pass through.) While buying ruby strands you may want to note the uniformity in color of the beads and also in sizes. Check for loose or uneven stringing that may cause the stones to scatter if not handled properly. Strands are used to make multiple-lined necklaces and bracelets; they may also be used simply by themselves or singly to suspend a pendant or a neckpiece.

Faceted Ruby Beads
Faceted ruby beads are those that have been cut, ie; ‘faceted’ to reflect the stone’s natural fire and brilliance. On average faceted beads are round but may also be available in other shapes such as lozenge, cube or tube forms. While purchasing faceted ruby beads it makes sense to examine the line closely with the help of a 10X loupe or magnifying glass. Check for uneven facets, their sharpness and how the facets add to the brilliance and luster of the stone. Faceted beads may be used by themselves as a necklace, or in combination with metal beads to make exclusive pieces of jewelry. 

Carved Ruby beads
These are beads carved with simple radiating or parallel lines or may have more complex designed etched on their surface. Carved beads are usually used to flank or accent a larger centerpiece in jewelry or may be added to lariats or wire-wrapped neckpieces by themselves. Carved ruby beads may be bought in different sizes ranging from 6 to 13 mm up to 11 to 17 mm.

Ruby Carvings
Ruby carvings are flat or three dimensional pieces of ruby that have been carved with geometric or life-form inspired motifs, they are usually not drilled. Birds, butterflies, leaf and flower patterns are some of the carvings that are incised onto the surface of rubies. Look for ruby carving beads that are cleanly engraved and inspect closely for chips that may have occurred during the carving process. Carvings are mostly set in gold or silver and serve as centerpieces in necklaces or bracelets.
 

Ruby Briolette
A briolette is a teardrop shaped stone cut with triangular or kite-shaped facets. Victorian jewelry displayed abundant use of this type of fashioned gemstone. Nowadays briolettes are used in chandelier earrings and as end-pieces in the fringe of elaborate neckpieces. Ruby briolettes beads may be drilled through or half-way through or remain intact- depending on its intended usage. On occasion briolettes may also be referred to as carved ruby drops in manuals, sale catalogues and websites selling these.

Ruby Drops
Ruby drops may be smooth, faceted or carved. Like briolettes they are pear-shaped though they may be flattened in some instances. Drops are available in different sizes ranging from 5.50 to 13 mm up to 9.5 to 15.5 mm and all denominations in between these sizes. Their colors may vary from dark, through medium to light red. Unlike briolettes that are drilled through along their length, ruby drops are drilled across the narrowest part of the drop.

Blue gemstones can be divided into roughly three categories- transparent translucent and opaque. Blue sapphire, blue topaz, iolite, spinel, aquamarine, tanzanite and Paraiba tourmaline are a few transparent gems that occur in shades of blue. Other less transparent (translucent) varieties are blue chalcedony, and turquoise and lapis lazuli which are both opaque. Each gem has its own particular properties and is available across different price-points according to size and quality. For the sake of brevity we will discuss only popular stones like blue sapphire, aquamarine, tanzanite and turquoise that are readily available and reasonably priced.

Blue Sapphire Beads: Sapphire is the natal stone for the month of September and is believed to safeguard the wearer from envy and attract divine favors. It is also one of the hardest gem materials after diamond and can be used in articles of daily wear without any worries of chipping or breakage. The ideal color for sapphire is a deep clear blue. Articles like rings set with a single faceted stone or bracelets made with blue sapphire beads can be worn without fear of them getting damaged with constant use. The gem is readily available in the market with gemstone dealers and sapphire beads and drops are available at online stores.

Aquamarine Beads: Belonging to the same gem family as emerald- beryl, aquamarine is a blue-green stone that is often found in large clear crystals. Aquamarine ranges from blue-green to a light sky blue in color. It is gem that is relatively abundant. It is the birthstone for March and a gift of Aquamarine is said to signify safety and security for long standing relationships. It is even believed to revive the love in a tired marriage making it an ideal anniversary gift for many! 

Although they are fairly durable aquamarine has a tendency to be brittle and so care must be taken while wearing or cleaning jewelry set with them. Aquamarine beads strung into necklaces or aquamarine drops in earrings are a good idea but it is not so wise to have these beads worn as bracelets as the constant contact with things may damage them. 

Tanzanite Beads: Tanzanite is a fairly recent discovery in the gem world and is found in just one locality in the world- Tanzania.  Its deep royal blue color tinged with violet makes it highly desirable. TanzaniteOne is a commercial player in the tanzanite market and has introduced its own grading system. The system's color-grading scales divide tanzanite colors into a range of hues, between blue violet and violet blue. 

If you are buying a large stone from a reputed dealer you can ask for a certificate stating its grade. If it is tanzanite beads or smaller stones you are buying from a dealer or online you can have the stones appraised by a gemological institute if you wish. Tanzanite is a rare gemstone and its prices are steadily rising since the past decade- hence it makes sense to think carefully before investing in this stone, particularly if you are on a tight budget.

Turquoise Beads: Turquoise is a blue to greenish blue opaque gem largely known for its popularity in ancient Egyptian and Aztec cultures. Although somewhat soft, turquoise takes a good polish and is polished cabochons are set in rings, earrings and pendants. Turquoise beads along with red coral are gemstones used in traditional Tibetan jewelry. Because the gem is porous it should be kept away from household cleaners, harsh detergents and rough use.  Turquoise, coral and other opaque gems are usually sold according to physical size in millimeters rather than weight.

Origins
The most fabled locality for fine rubies is the Mogok district in Upper Myanmar (Burma). The discovery of these mines is steeped in antiquity, the earliest mention being in Burmese legend that mentions a fever stricken valley, inaccessible to humans. That the mine workings are ancient is proven without doubt by the recovery of implements of the Stone and Bronze Ages here. Several kings, governors and private companies have held mining rights from time to time. In all the years till date not much has changed in the mining methods. 

Value
Next to red diamonds, rubies are perhaps the most expensive gems in the world (provided the size is over three carats). The most desirable color for ruby is a deep, traffic-signal red. Contrary to popular belief not all Burmese rubies are of this legendary color. Material of an inferior quality is just as likely to be mined in Burma as anywhere else. In the same way good, gem-quality material may be found from any of the other ruby producing localities- Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam. In effect what has happened is that the name Burma ruby has been applied to almost any ruby of a good color and quality. It does not necessarily mean that the particular stone is in fact a Burmese ruby.

All about
So, if these so-called Burma rubies are in fact just a sobriquet, what are the parameters for judging a good stone? Awareness! This is the keyword. Gemologists the world over have committed reams and reams of paper pertaining to use of terms like Columbian emerald, Kashmir sapphire and Burma ruby. In truth there is very little chance of anybody being able to say where a particular stone has been mined. Unless the stone is submitted for a thorough gemological evaluation by a reputed laboratory there is no way country of origin can be declared using visual clues alone? So, the best bet is to look for a stone you like. It does not matter whether it is a Burmese or a Cambodian stone. If you like it- go for it!

Origins
We have all heard lore about ruby and its desirability in advertisements, from friends, from your family jeweller or read about it. And one word is sure to have come up in all these discussions about rubies- Burma ruby.

What is a Burma ruby?
Originally the term Burma ruby referred to all rubies mined in Burma. Rubies from this locality had an exceptionally fine color (deep red with a tinge of blue, also known as pigeon’s blood red). However rubies are also mined in Tanzania, Madagascar, Mozambique, Thailand, Cambodia, Nepal, Tajikistan, Afghanistan, Vietnam and Greenland. Over time the trade came to address all rubies of a fine color as Burma ruby. Burmese rubies are of course valuable in their own right but this is not to say that rubies from these other localities are any less valuable or beautiful.

Ruby in India
For many years India has been the world's biggest supplier of ruby cabochons and star rubies, of late facet grade stones are also reported to have been mined in certain localities. These localities include districts in Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.

So which is the ideal ruby? With gemstones it is very difficult to estimate value, since no universally accepted grading system exists for them unlike diamonds. The three basic criteria here are; color, clarity and carat.

Color: Rubies of a bright traffic signal red are the most desirable. Various variations of this shade are acceptable as long as they fall in the category ‘red’. Stones that are more pink rather than red are called pink sapphire and not ruby (ruby and sapphire belong to the same gem family ‘corundum’).

Clarity: Gemstones generally have some imperfections within them that are known as ‘inclusions’. The cleaner the gem the more expensive it is. However it is extremely rare to find a ruby completely free of inclusions. Look for a ruby which has minimal inclusions that do not take away from the beauty of the stone.

Carat: The heavier the stone the more expensive it is. Rubies of above 3 carats are extremely rare and command a huge premium.

Cut: Rubies are cut in many styles: faceted, cabochons (smooth-topped stones with flat bases), briolettes and ruby beads all make up an exciting array of scarlet glory.

Generally speaking, faceted stones are the most expensive followed by cabochons and then beads. 

Options
Owning a beautiful faceted ruby may be the heart’s desire of many of us but such a stone may be rare to find and expensive to boot. So how does one appease the gem lover in you? Ruby cabochons and beads may be the answer.

Ruby strands worn on their own or strung along with other beads make for great conversation-starters (Fig 1). Ruby bead necklaces using graduated beads worn either singly or in several layers too look rich (Fig 2). Many jewelry designers use ruby briolette beads to finish off plain gold necklaces with fringes or suspend heavy gold pendants from several ruby strands (Fig 3). Such necklaces, reminiscent of bygone eras in rustic eastern kingdoms can add a touch of mystery to any party outfit. 

Where to buy them
Wholesale ruby beads are available online at many stores. These stores also offer opportunities for retail buyers to shop online. You can view their stock online and request for prices, some of them also display their prices online. Genuine ruby beads- whether they are faceted, roundels, drops or drum-shaped are always a style statement- no matter if they are Burmese rubies or not!

Cut
The cut is not the shape of the diamond like round brilliant, pear, marquise or oval cuts. Rather it is the proportions to which the diamond is cut. It is the only man-made cut out of the 4 Cs and the overall appearance of the diamond depends on it. The amount of ‘fire’ or the brilliance of the diamond depends on how well it is cut. The Gemmological Institute of America (GIA), who invented the 4cs, grades diamond cuts as Excellent, Very Good, Good, Fair and Poor. Diamonds with a cut grade of Good and very good are generally good value for money.

Color
Color in diamonds is graded on the scale of D to Z, with D being totally colorless and considered top-quality. However it is very rare and usually there is not much difference for the layman in colors D, E and F. Colors G to I is the point where the human eye begins to perceive a slight tint of color (either yellow or brown). Commercially, G-H grade diamonds are used extensively in jewelry and this is acceptable. However if you really want to go for high grades an E-F color grading is just your thing.

Clarity
Every diamond has some kind of impurity or imperfection in it. These could be crystals, fractures, naturals, pits or myriad other ‘inclusions’ as they are called. Clarity grades range from F- Flawless to I3- heavily included. See note below for the complete chart. Generally VS-SI diamonds are good value for money and the normal person, without a jeweler’s loupe can hardly detect the exact grade or quality of a diamond. If one does really prefer a higher grade VVS is as good a grade as any. Buying F or IF diamonds is not really worth the extra money.

Carat Carat denotes the weight of a diamond.1 carat is equal to 0.2 grams, or 1 gram is equal to 5 carats. The carat is divided further into 100 points or cents. So a 25 cent diamond means 0.25 cts, a diamond weighing one carat and 33 cents is denoted as 1.33 cts. Diamond prices jump drastically at certain weights for example a 1.00 carat diamond will cost considerable more than one weighing 0.98 cents. Similarly one weighing .49 cts will cost less than a 0.50 cent stone. Note: Carat is not too confused with Karat, which is the unit denoting the purity of gold.

Other terms that you might come across in a diamond certificate are polish and symmetry. These two are self-explanatory terms and are rated as excellent, very good, good, fair and poor.

Note that the certificate should be from a reputed gemological laboratory such as the GIA, CIBJO, AGS (American Gemological Society), EGL (European Gemological Laboratories) and IGI (International Gemological Institute).

"Most of the diamond search available on the web cover basic shapes. Finally, we can bring you one of the most comprehensive certified diamond search engine with a diverse online stock," says Sumeet Chordia.

Diamonds on Beacab.com are certified from world renowned and industry trusted laboratories. "We understand the requirements of our customers who want certified diamonds. Using the loose diamond search engine they can view certificates and access the live report check system which connects to the respective laboratory's database and will assure users the validity of the certificate."

About Beacab Gems Inc. (Beacab.com)

Beacab Gems Inc. was established in 1990 with its office located at 2 West 46th Street, in the heart of the gem and jewelry district of New York. The company caters from small to high-end jewelry designers and retail stores across the world as well as jewelry enthusiasts.

Visitors to Beacab.com can now search thru 80 pairs of rose cut diamonds filtering by various color shades and shapes. "We expect to add over 500 pairs and loose stock before the 2010 holiday season," says Chordia.

Collection of Rose Cut Diamonds can now be viewed at http://beacab.com/diamond-beads/rose-cut-diamonds.html

About Beacab Gems Inc. (Beacab.com)

Beacab Gems Inc. was established in 1990 with its office located at 2 West 46th Street, in the heart of the gem and jewelry district of New York. The company caters from small to high-end jewelry designers and retail stores across the world as well as jewelry enthusiasts.

"The collection of items that we have recently added to our website will stretch our company's range in the products that we offer to the global jewelry industry. Some of these items are from old mines that are now depleted of any gemstone material and are highly sought for by high-end designers and collectors." says Sumeet Chordia, Head of Operations.

Several of these items will be showcased on the company's homepage on Monday, April 26, 2010.

About Beacab Gems Inc. (Beacab.com)

Beacab Gems Inc. was established in 1990 with its office located at 2 West 46th Street, in the heart of the gem and jewelry district of New York. The company caters from small to high-end jewelry designers and retail stores across the world as well as jewelry enthusiasts.

The website offers fast and informative access to the company's unique inventory built over decades. "We are confident about our products, prices, and customer service throughout the sales process. When visitors come to our website they will feel confident about us, the products available, as well as the level of communication" says Sumeet Chordia, heading all operations of the website.

"Currently, only 7% of our inventory is online. We are adding over 100 to 200 products weekly and should have over 90% of our inventory by the 2010 holiday season. Our goal is to become the primary and most reliable source for diamond and gemstone beads, briolettes, cabochons, and carvings in the world because we have specialized in this area for over 20 years and we understand our products as well as the needs of our diverse customers," says Chordia.

Beacab Gems Inc. was established in 1990 by Sanjay Chordia in New York City. The company's office is located at 2 West 46th Street, in the heart of the gem and jewelry district of New York. The company caters from small to high-end jewelry designers and retail stores across the world.