Jewelry Making Resources | Fire Mountain Gems and Beads

Single-Strand Necklace and Earring Set

Bold gemstone focals call for bold creativity—craft your own custom wire bails and clasps to match! Click through for step-by-step instructions.

Design Idea RD3S

View Design

Single-Strand Necklace

Add a touch of summer memories to your jewelry designs with sterling silver charms—a seahorse, sandals and a palm tree—for vacation-inspired designs.

Design Idea RJ2F

View Design

Bracelet

Jaspers and jades dance with silver: multi-colored gemstone beads showcase color while handmade antiqued sterling silver beads feature intricate detail.

Design Idea KA03

View Design

Macramé Bracelet

Boho-chic meets beachy. This macramé bracelet's simple design highlights a colorful focal bead and a slide-knot clasp accommodates many wrist sizes.

Design Idea RF29

View Design

Bracelet

This dainty sterling silver bracelet with ethereal labradorite, Crystal Passions® erinite shimmer beads, and a heart clasp has elegance in every detail.

Design Idea RE2Q

View Design

Bracelet

Love is in the air with this charming bracelet, featuring red bamboo coral and cultured freshwater pearls. The heart-shaped clasp adds a romantic touch.

Design Idea QM2G

View Design

Ask the Experts Necklace Q&A

Q: I have started making personalized, metal-stamped, sterling necklace charms. I am having a hard time figuring out what type of "necklace" material to use. I love the look of a chain but cannot seem to find spacer beads to fit over the clasps on either end to go between the silver discs. (I do not want to use crimp beads, as I like the movement and changeability of the charms, and this would inhibit it.) Thank you SO much for your time and help!!

Read the Answer

Ask the Experts Metal Allergy Q&A

Q: I am allergic to nickel, sterling silver and gold plating. I used to use brass barrel clasps, but I am now having problems finding clasps that are not gold-plated. Can you recommend something besides 10Kt gold? I purchased some findings from other companies that claimed they were ''hypoallergenic,'' but they weren't.

Read the Answer

Ask the Experts Fine Silver and Silver Plate Q&A

Q: I made my first bracelets using silver-plated clasps (not from Fire Mountain Gems and Beads) and they discolored. I want to make good quality jewelry for gifts and don't want to waste money buying precious metal findings if they're not necessary, but I also don't want my pieces to tarnish easily. Can you guide me on when to use precious metal findings? What's the shelf life on silver-plate and gold-plate? I have asked others and researched online but am not getting a clear answer. Again, I might just have started with poor quality clasps and maybe both Fire Mountain's silver-plated and sterling will give me good results in all cases.

Read the Answer

Ask the Experts Attaching Clasps to Bulk Chain Q&A

Q: What findings are used for attaching clasps to sterling silver or gold-filled chain sold by the yard? What is the best technique for it?

Read the Answer

Ask the Experts Best Wire for Hook Clasp Q&A

Q: If I want to make an S-hook shape out of a sterling silver round wire to join the ends of a bracelet, is half hard the best? I know that dead soft is way too soft and malleable, and I think full hard would require way too much force to be able to shape by hand with needle nose pliers.

Read the Answer

Triple-Strand Necklace

This autumn-inspired necklace features Malaysia "Jade" gemstone beads and silver accents. Customers are bound to fall in love with this multi-strand piece.

Design Idea 019U

View Design

Bracelet

A sterling silver clasp unites faceted citrine nuggets set off by 6mm lapis lazuli rounds.

Design Idea KA21

View Design

Single-Strand Necklace

Unleash the power of the dragon! Featuring agate beads guarded by sterling silver dragon-head clasps, this bracelet exudes a sense of strength and allure, making a bold statement wherever you go.

Design Idea 9332

View Design

Bracelet

Sterling silver and peridot comprise this regal statement piece designed by Fire Mountain Gems alumni Marlynn McNutt.

Design Idea 5817

View Design

Bracelet

Add color to chain with beads, charms and fun clasps.

Design Idea NG33

View Design

Bracelet

Get fresh style with apple-green chrysoprase. A unicorn charm adds to the magic of this bracelet design, secured by an easy-to-use lobster claw clasp.

Design Idea RB2W

View Design

Categories

Tags