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Changing tastes - natural gems vs. dyed
I used to be really snobby about the semiprecious beads I used. I
wouldn't use any that were dyed or irridated or stabilized or whatever it is they do to them. Then, they came out with those amazing colors in "Jade" - aqua, purple, lavender, fuschia, orange, which are really glass. Gem dealers say that they are dyed white jade, but the prices are too low to be real jade (maybe serpentine?). But, the colors fill a place in the spectrum which was lacking before, so I'm designing with them and being very honest about what they are. I also like the stuff which gem dealers are passing off as "bamboo coral", which is really dyed bamboo since there is no such thing as "bamboo coral." It's hard to find a true red in natural gems. After I explained all this to one of my customers, she said, "If they are beautiful, I don't care what they are." How does everyone feel about this? Do you use these or not? Patti www.pattiwhiteley.com |
#2
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Changing tastes - natural gems vs. dyed
Patti wrote:
I also like the stuff which gem dealers are passing off as "bamboo coral", which is really dyed bamboo since there is no such thing as "bamboo coral." Wrong, there actually is such a thing as bamboo coral... http://oceanexplorer.noaa.gov/explor...l14/jul14.html It should be known that beads made from coral are actually made from already dead coral--it's all part of the reef-cycle--corals die off at the base and new growth starts shooting off from parts of them (that's the short simple quick explanation, anyhoo) Sorry, I'm a bit of a reef-freak (as in, I not only like coral beads, but I also keep live corals in a big tank right here in my living room!--Of course they are non-bead-related, tho... Just sayin'!) :-) -- m3rma1d -- www.creativespill.com To reply in email, carefully remove my panties. |
#3
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Changing tastes - natural gems vs. dyed
Patti -- I was taught to be a bead snob by those who came before me -- to distain India lampwork and dyed beads. However, many stone beads are treated and always were. Turquoise often has to be stabilized. They put so much crap on or in it that, if cooked, it might turn out to be a cake. LOL. Many are dyed, many are nuked (irradiated) and so on. I give up. The brown jade I love so much is often dyed and once came off on my new white blouse. Such is life!!! Becki |
#4
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Changing tastes - natural gems vs. dyed
Becki reported:
The brown jade I love so much is often dyed and once came off on my new white blouse. Such is life!!! I soak any suspicious beads in a 50/50 vinegar/water solution, rinse and "tumble" with paper towels, and let them air dry. I figure the mild acid should remove any possible excess dye, with some help from the paper toweling. KarenS |
#6
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Changing tastes - natural gems vs. dyed
Patti wondered:
After I explained all this to one of my customers, she said, "If they are beautiful, I don't care what they are." How does everyone feel about this? Do you use these or not? Heck yeah, I use them! I'm in it for color, shape and texture, not purity of the source. My only big requirement is that whatever dyes are used are permanent and stable....I don't want purple or red staining a buyer's (or my own) neck or wrist. I do think it's important to describe items and accurately as possible, though. For example, I'm pleased that bamboo coral isn't being harvested out of coral beds, and I try to be clear about its provenance so others are at ease, too. KarenS |
#7
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Changing tastes - natural gems vs. dyed
I used to never use plastic/acrylic/lucite beads, only glass, but now, if
the beads are good quality, I find that the light weight actually enhances my designs (since I have neck problems, I can't wear too much weight). It is important to be accurate in describing materials used - but most customers really don't care what it's made of, as long as it looks and wears well. -- Karleen Page Member International Jewelry Designers Guild (IJDG) Vibrant Jewels: http://www.vibrantjewels.com/jewelry/welcome.htm JustBeads: http://www.justbeads.com/search/ql.cfm?s=21770 Join our Yahoo Group: "Karen Sherwood" wrote in message news:mxjOg.7053$rT5.6102@fed1read01... Patti wondered: After I explained all this to one of my customers, she said, "If they are beautiful, I don't care what they are." How does everyone feel about this? Do you use these or not? Heck yeah, I use them! I'm in it for color, shape and texture, not purity of the source. My only big requirement is that whatever dyes are used are permanent and stable....I don't want purple or red staining a buyer's (or my own) neck or wrist. I do think it's important to describe items and accurately as possible, though. For example, I'm pleased that bamboo coral isn't being harvested out of coral beds, and I try to be clear about its provenance so others are at ease, too. KarenS |
#8
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Changing tastes - natural gems vs. dyed
Vibrant Jewels wrote: I used to never use plastic/acrylic/lucite beads, Karleen -- I feel this is a very important point. I am still a bead snob when it comes to plastic vs. anything else -- yet plastic beads, especially flowers and lots of plastic shapes in fact, have always been an important component of high-end costume jewelry. Which I love to distraction. You can only hang so much weight around your neck before it becomes a problem. Ask anyone who has long hair (not me as I would not know, LOL). There are GORGEOUS vintage plastic flowers being sold for lots of money right now. Yet every time I see one of them in a finished piece, I cringe. Becki |
#9
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Changing tastes - natural gems vs. dyed
Yep, I have a love/hate thing for plastic, too. But the lucite flowers are
soooo freaking pretty. -- Kandice Seeber www.lampwork.net Vote for my site! http://tinyurl.com/bbcon "Beckibead" wrote in message oups.com... Vibrant Jewels wrote: I used to never use plastic/acrylic/lucite beads, Karleen -- I feel this is a very important point. I am still a bead snob when it comes to plastic vs. anything else -- yet plastic beads, especially flowers and lots of plastic shapes in fact, have always been an important component of high-end costume jewelry. Which I love to distraction. You can only hang so much weight around your neck before it becomes a problem. Ask anyone who has long hair (not me as I would not know, LOL). There are GORGEOUS vintage plastic flowers being sold for lots of money right now. Yet every time I see one of them in a finished piece, I cringe. Becki |
#10
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Changing tastes - natural gems vs. dyed
Karleen and Becki,
I agree with you about the lucite beads. Though I must admit, I'm tempted by the flower shapes, especially the long tubular ones. I find myself looking at them (haven't bought any yet) at this one LBS I go to. They would make great earrings and lightweight earrings are always a plus for me. Not to mention the gorgeous shades of hot pink, deep purple and orange they feature. I'll let you know if I succumb to temptation!! One of my fellow designers has made a fortune re-designing with vintage Bakelite. I don't like Bakelite either, it just looks cheap to me, I can't believe the prices they are getting for it. Patti www.pattiwhiteley.com |
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