Jewelry Making Resources | Fire Mountain Gems and Beads

Fine Silver

Fine silver is a high-purity form of silver, consisting of 99.9% pure silver, often denoted as .999 or 999. This means it contains only a minimal amount of impurities, typically 0.1% or less. Fine silver is known for its lustrous white appearance and high reflectivity, making it a popular choice for high-quality jewelry, coins and investment-grade bullion.

Single-Strand Necklace and Earrings Set

Dance in the heavens with this cosmic necklace and earring set, featuring an opaque moon and transparent blue star glass drops.

Design Idea QC2A

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Ask the Experts Finishing Jewelry with French Wire Q&A

Q: I think your how-to videos are a wonderful addition to your site. I was watching the bead tip and French wire videos in particular. My question/suggestion is that I don't have a problem with finishing my jewelry on the first end but after the stringing is complete it is the second end which gives me trouble, when you have to tighten the string so that there are no loose beads. French wire is very difficult to use, but doubly so when you are finishing the second end. For example: when I pull the loop, the wire tends to spread and becomes useless. Can you include the second half of the how-to as well as the first?

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Ask the Experts Thread Q&A

Q: Can crimp beads be used with thread?

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Ask the Experts Using French Wire Q&A

Q: What is French wire and how do you use it?

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Ask the Experts Stringing with FireLine® Q&A

Q: I've been using Accu-Flex® wire in my necklace and bracelet projects, but I'd like to explore other stringing materials. In particular, I'd like to know how to select the appropriate weight of FireLine® and how to finish off ends attractively and appropriately.

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Ask the Experts Knotted Gemstone Necklace Q&A

Q: I would like to knot some gemstone beads. Is a bead tip sturdy enough to hold the heavier gemstone rounds and nuggets? What are the options for attaching a clasp if a bead tip is not used? Can a knotted strand be attached to chain?

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Ask the Experts Strengthening Necklaces Q&A

Q: I am using Accu-Flex® 7 strands (.012") and crimp beads with pearls and other beads. Some of the necklaces get broken after a while. What can I use to make them stronger?

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Ask the Experts Finishing a Multi-strand Necklace Q&A

Q: I believe the answer is a no-brainer but I cannot figure it out. I would like to find out how to finish off a multi-strand necklace, particularly when done on thread. When I go to How-To's, it brings up design ideas. I see the picture and the list of materials, but for the life of me, I cannot find instructions to go with it. How do I find what I want?

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Ask the Experts Ribbon Crimp Ends Q&A

Q: How do I use ribbon ends on my loomworked bracelets? Every time I attach one I crush some of the beads because the clamp doesn't seem large enough to cover the beads. I've seen other examples of loom and off-loom bracelets with these ends attached, but I don't know how to properly attach them. Do you have any bar clasps that are made specifically for stitched bracelets and necklaces or some kind of instructional resource on how to use the ribbon clasp on beadwork?

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Ask the Experts Finishing Thread Designs Q&A

Q: How do I finish a necklace that has been strung with thread? It has four strands and has a pendant suspended from the combined string.

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Ask the Experts Pearls Q&A

Q: How do I string pearls with silk thread, what size thread do I use and how do I attach a clasp? Also, what type of finding should be used? Thank you.

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Knitting with the French Knitter Tool

French knitting can add a hint of flair to any jewelry design. Learn how easy it is to use the French knitter tool with this instruction guide.

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How to Use French Wire with Thread

French wire is designed to protect thread and other stringing materials from fraying at the loop of a clasp. Learn how to incorporate it in your designs with these illustrated instructions.

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Secrets to French Wire

Learn all about the secrets to using French wire in this step-by-step tutorial with renowned jewelry artist Tammy Honaman.

Video Length 2:26

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French Wire

Tightly coiled, fine wire that forms a flexible tube. Used to conceal and protect stringing materials from abrasion by metal jewelry findings. Also bouillon.

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