Blog post courtesy of Dakota Stones.

The Difference of Diamond Cut

People have been cutting and shaping stone manually since the fourteenth century. While we have nearly perfected any and all methods we can manage by hand, technology has since grown beyond our capabilities.

Today, most of our faceted stones are machine cut with industrial-grade diamonds. With the use of new technology, geometry and an understanding of light, which is extremely important for precious stones with strong dispersion, we can now make the facets on each stone cleaner, sharper, and more consistent with minimal or no need for polishing. This means we can manufacture mathematically precise cuts on extremely small surfaces while getting the same luster and shine as we would see on large surfaces.

What this also means for the stone cutting industry is that, not only can we source precise diamond-cut stones at reasonable cost, we have more time and opportunity to focus on the best cuts from minerals that might require hand-cutting. And, as we know, we cannot program a machine to have taste or skill when making unique or difficult cuts. Most of our pendants and cabochons are still beautifully hand-cut by skilled lapidary artists.

In the past few years Dakota Stones has been one of the first to offer gemstones in diamond-cut bicones, coins, rounds, rondelles and cubes. We are also pleased to be the first to showcase our newest double-hearted star cut stones. As diamond-cutting becomes more and more advanced, we are privileged with the ability to source these unique cuts of stones, with almost undetectable facets at first glance. Our double-hearted strands are a twin to our star-cut line, with an extra triangular facet for additional light refraction.

As diamond-cut stones become increasingly popular we hope to continue innovating new shapes and growing with this incredible technology.

Todays tutorial is about being easy make and easy to wear, especially when it’s adjustable! Our bracelet not only features one of our newer items, the satin adjustable bracelet, but we highlight the bracelet with it’s focal bead, a Rhinestone Pave Embellished Turquoise Coin Bead (Z003039). Get them in Red Coral (Z003040) or Pearl (Z003029).

Here’s what you’ll need:

• Rhinestone Pave Embellished Turquoise Coin Bead – Z003039
  Also in Red Coral (Z003040) or Pearl (Z003029).
• 1.5″ Silver-Plated Eyepin – A019626
• Black Twisted Satin Adjustable Bracelet Sliding Clasp – Z014807
  Also Satin in Wine Red (Z014826), Navy Blue (Z014832) or Green (Z014852).

Directions:

1. On an eyepin, slide on pavé bead and make a simple loop.
2. Open loop, slide one loop of satin bracelet end. Close loop.
3. Repeat step 2 to other end of bead loop.

Today’s design features Apple Jasper Gemstones and how versatile the Cymbal components can be used. We love the organic cuts of the Apple Jasper Flat Chips (APL5X15CHP-8) and used them to make a subtle statement necklace pendant.

What you’ll need for necklace:

• Apple Jasper Flat Chip Beads – APL5X15CHP-8
• 4mm Round Apple Jasper – APL4RD-8
• 1 Inch Headpin with Ball – A019691
• 2 Inch Eyepin – A019631
• 11/0 Galvanized Silver Seed Bead – SB00422
• Silver Plated Cymbal Lakos III – Z008756
• 0.7mm Beading Chain – CH00724 (2′-3′)
• 8mm End Cap – X001505
• Hook Clasp – Y012869

Directions:

1. On the headpin, slide one 4mm round gemstone and two seed beads. Make a simple loop.
2. Open loop of eyepin and slide on dangle from step 1. Close loop.
3. On eyepin slide on a seed bead, 5 chip gemstones and seed bead. Make a simple loop.
4. Open dangle loop and slide on top loop of Cymbal component. Close loop.
5. Slide chain through the other three hole of the Cymbal component. (For your own personlization, cut your chain shorter or have a longer piece of chain)
6. Crimp end caps to the ends of your beading chain. (Refer to Blog Post)
7. Add clasp to ends.

Design using these new Abalone Shell Gemstones from Dakota Stones. We have 3 stunning DIY earring designs highlighting the glow of the Abalone Shell Gemstones.

Abalone

As a foodie, Abalone is a delicacy in seafood cuisine. Take away the meat of the shellfish and you have the iridescent sheen of its hard outer shell.

‘Abalone Shell is strong and is made of stacked calcium carbonate tiles. When the abalone shell is struck, the tiles slide instead of shattering absorbing the energy of the blow. The inner layer of the shell is composed of nacre (mother-of-pearl), which in many species is highly iridescent, which make the shells attractive as decorative objects, jewelry, and as a source of colorful mother-of-pearl.’ (Dakota Stones)

There are also healing properties for Abalone. As it holds the richness of the ocean, it gives the wearer strength, stability and life like the ever-moving, powerful waves of ocean.

DIY Earrings with Abalone Shell

We love a good pair of earring and have 3 pair of earrings highlighting the loveliness of Abalone Shell Gemstones along with tutorials.

Items used in earrings: Y003787 (2), Z003795 (2), Y003798 (2), TCZ0077, A008799, A019647 & ABA8CN-FL.

Directions:

1. On a headpin, slide on an abalone bead and make a wrapped loop, making sure to slide on small connector before finishing off wrap. (You can also make a simple loop and connecting loop to small connector.)
2. Open jump ring and slide on other hole of small connector and through a hole of medium connector. Close jump ring.
3. Open another jump ring and slide on other hole of medium connector and through a hole of large connector. Close jump ring.
4. Open earwire loop and slide through other hole of large connector. Close loop.
5. Repeat all steps for other earring.

Items in earrings: Z012031, A019647, CH01048 & ABA10RD.

Directions:

1. Cut chain to consist of 4 linked beaded chain.
2. Slide an abalone bead on a headpin and make a wrapped loop, making sure to loop through chain end before finishing wrap. (You can also make a simple loop and connecting it to beaded chain.)
3. Open earwire loop and slide on other end of beaded chain. Close loop.
4. Repeat other steps for other earring.

Items used in earrings: Z016761, A019685 & ABA18CN-FL.

Directions:

1. Slide an abalone bead onto a headpin and make a simple loop.
2. Open loop and slide on earring hole. Close loop.
3. Repeat all steps for other earring.

Need some DIY gift ideas for your naturalist friend? He/She most likely love neutral colors, leather and gemstones. Here are some gorgeous DIY jewelry for the naturalist friend this holiday season!

1. Black Gold Amazonite Tassel Necklace
2. Crystal Quartz Drop Earrings
3. DIY Diffuser Necklace with Lava Beads
4. Leather & Tube Bead Necklace
5. Easy Leather Hook Bracelet
6. Stone Ripple Leather Bracelet
7. Gemstone Donut Bails
8. Gemstone Post Earrings with Cabochons

These Holiday DIY gift ideas are for the Boho Beauty in your life.She seeks a relaxing vibe and a moment of zen. She loves natural and earthy tone, so make sure you design with fibers like Ribbon, Tassels, Leather and Straw, as well as some Gemstone. Here are some great DIY projects for the Boho Beauty!

1. Straw & Leather Macrame
2. Fishtail Cuff
3. Fabric Tassel Jewelry
4. Fan Tassels
5. Macrame Leather Bracelet
6. Boho Feather Earrings
7. Silk Ribbon in Jewelry
8. Long Tassels

Let’s get to designing a leather layer necklace using 2mm leather cord and large-hole gemstones. This easy DIY will get you making more than one!

What you’ll need:

• 2mm Leather Cord – Item used in necklace A022074
• 8mm and 10mm Large-Hole Gemstones – Items used in necklace GAV8RDLH-8 & ATQ10RDLH-8

Directions:

1. Start with 1 meter of leather or about 39 inches of leather.
2. Fold leather in half and make an other hand knot at the folded part to create a 1/2 inch loop.
3. On one leather cord, slide on FOUR 8mm gemstone.
   1. Make an overhand knot at the end of this leather cord.
   2. Slide one gemstone down to the knot and make another overhand knot after this gemstone bead, sandwiching the bead between two knots.
4. On the other leather cord, slide on a 10mm gemstone and a 8mm gemstone.
   1. Make an overhand knot an inch shorter than the knot you made in step 3-1.
   2. Slide 8mm gemstone down to the knot and make another overhand knot after this gemstone bead, sandwiching the bead between two knots.
5. Done! To wear, slide both gemstone knotted ends through the leather loop, one at a time.

The holidays are upon us and we’re starting off your DIY holiday gifts with So Vang’s wrap bracelet using her new favorite Teal Brown Impression Jasper beads. Wrap bracelets are easy to make and design with Beadalon Memory Wire and your favorite beads! Here’s what you need to design this Teal Brown Impression Jasper Wrap Bracelet:

• 4mm Teal Brown Impression Jasper Round Bead – TBRIM4RD
• Heavy Duty Memory Wire – WR00120 or WR00121
• 50mm Silver Plated Curved Tube Bead – A014097
• Size 8/0 Galvanized Silver Miyuki Seed Bead – SB00106
• TOOLS: Memory Wire Shears & Memory Wire Finishing Pliers

Directions:

1. Make a simple loop at one end of your memory wire with memory wire finishing pliers.
2. Slide the following SECTIONS onto the memory wire:
   1. Seed bead, gemstone, seed bead, 3 gemstone, seed bead, gemstone, 3 seed bead, gemstone, seed bead, 3 gemstone, seed bead, gemstone, 3 seed bead, gemstone, seed bead, 3 gemstone, seed bead, gemstone, seed bead, and curved tube.
   2. Seed bead, gemstone, seed bead, 3 gemstone, seed bead, gemstone, 3 seed bead, gemstone, seed bead, 3 gemstone, seed bead, gemstone, seed bead and curved tube.
   3. Repeat SECTION 1.
   4. Repeat SECTION 2.
   5. Repeat SECTION 1.
   6. Repeat SECTION 2.
   7. Repeat SECTION 1.
   8. Seed bead, gemstone, seed bead, 3 gemstone, seed bead, gemstone, 3 seed bead, gemstone, seed bead, 3 gemstone, seed bead, gemstone and seed bead.
3. Cut excess memory wire, leaving a 1/2″ end.
4. Make a simple loop to memory wire end you just cut. (Option: Wrap simple loop into a coil to tighten your designs.)

We’re still seeing lariat necklaces everywhere and it certainly will trend for a while because of it’s organic look! You wear it long or short, depending on how you dress it. In our DIY project today, is a lariat necklace using 1mm leather cord, brass beads and some gorgeous Terra Agate gemstones!

What you’ll need for necklace:

• 14×40 Terra Agate Barrel Gemstone – TRAG14x40BRL
• 1mm light brown leather cord – Z015514
• Brass Bead A022201 OR 5mm TierraCast TC01490 (10)
• 30mm Organic Hoop by Nunn Design – Z004552

Directions:

1. Start with 2 meters of leather cord. Fold in half and at the loop, make a lark’s head knot through the Organic Hoop.
2. On both leather cords, slide on a gold bead, Terra Agate bead and another gold bead.
3. Make an overhand knot with both leather cords close to the last gold bead.
4. Wrap your piece around your neck to determine where you would like the lariat gemstone dangle to hang from and the length of your necklace. Make an overhand knot there.
5. Slide on both leather cords another gold bead, Terra Agate bead and gold bead. Make an overhand knot close to the last gold bead you added.
6. On one leather cord end, slide on 3 gold beads and make an overhand knot about 2 inches below the Terra Agate bead. Cut off excess.
7. On the other leather cord end, slide on 3 gold beads and make an overhand knot about 1.5 inches below the Terre Agate bead. Cut off excess.

We’re designing today’s October project with Black Gold Amazonite double drilled gemstones from Dakota Stones and our popular beading chain. Here is what you’ll need to create your own!

• 18″ – 30″ of 7.25mm Beading Chain – CH00724
• Double Drilled Gemstone – Item used in necklace BGA10x20DD-8
• 4mm Jump Ring – Z011500
• Large Capped Flat Tassel with Silver Textured Cap – Item used in necklace Z011722
• Ring End – X001505
• Choice of Clasp –  Item used in necklace Z012151

Directions:

1. Open jump ring and slide on tassel. Close jump ring.
2. Slide chain through three gemstone beads, through jump ring in Step 1 and up through the second holes of the gemstone beads. Center everything.
3. Slide end cap on beading chain end and crimp it. Repeat to other chain end.
4. Open jump ring from sliding clasp and slide on end cap loop. Repeat to other end.

Mix up your jewelry materials by making a pair of earrings by looping 2mm round leather cord and dangle an agate pendant. What you’ll need for earrings:

• Agate Organic Pendant – Item used in earrings Z020523 (2)
• 2mm Leather Cord – A022075
• Gold French Earrings – Z012071
• GS Hypo Cement – A007224
• Sharp Cutters or Xuron® Shears (TL00017)

Directions:

1. Cut 4 inch piece of leather.
2. Cut leather ends at an angle.
3. Glue angled ends together to create a loop. Let it dry for a few minutes.
4. Open earwire, slide on agate pendant and leather loop; right where the leather ends are glued together. Close earwire.
5. Repeat all steps for other earring.

Today’s tutorial features the DIY Suede and Gemstone Necklace. This necklace is easy to make and can be worn three different ways. First, let’s get to designing this necklace!

What you’ll need: 

• 3mm Micro-Fiber Ultra Suede Cord (Item used in example Z007132)
• 2 – Feather Charm (Z015963)
• 25mm TierraCast Hammertone Ring (TC00886)
• Crimp Cover End (Z009926)
• 4mm Jump Rings (A002413)
• Large-hole Gemstones (Item used in example APL8RDLH-8)

Directions:

1. Cut 50-60″ of suede.
2. Fold suede in half and make a lark’s head knot with the suede on the Hammertone ring.
3. Slide two large-hole beads on to both suede cords. (Cut ends at and angle to help get both ends through large-hole bead.)
4. At each suede end, fold over the Crimp Cover Ends.
5. Open a jump ring, slide on feather charm and loop end of Crimp Cover Ends. Repeat to other end.

3 Ways to Wear the Necklace

Here are three ways that you can chnage up your suede and gemstone necklace.

1. With the Hammertone ring at the front of your necklace, wrap the suede around your neck and slide both ends through the ring. This creates an illusion of two necklaces!

2. Wrap both suede ends around your neck in the same direction and loop both ends into the Hammertone ring!

With the Hammertone ring at the front, tie your suede ends at the back of your neck. Adjust length as needed.

Design this wrap bracelet with Amazonite large-hole faceted gemstones and Deertan Lace leather. It’s also adjustable with a sliding clasp and easy to make!

What you’ll need:

• Amazonite Large-Hole Gemstones – AMZ8RLLH-8
  Or You can use other Large-Hole Gemstones
• 3mm Saddle Deertan Lace – Z015557
  Or other colors of ‘Deertan Lace’
• Grooved Large Hole Bead – TC00210

Directions:

1. Cut a 36′ piece of deertan lace.
2. Slide 7 gemstones onto the leather. (Cut ends at and angle to help push leather through.)
3. Take both of your leather ends and slide through TierraCast bead.
4. Make a knot at each leather end.

Today’s FREE tutorial is wire wrapping Crystal Quartz points and making simple pair of earrings with them! All you need are a few tools and wire to get your started!

What you’ll need for tutorial:

• Crystal Quartz points
• 22 – Gauge Wire
  OR
• 24 – Gauge Wire
• Tools: Round Nose Pliers, Chain Nose Pliers and Side Cutter

Crystal Point Tutorial

Here are some earring examples to using your crystal points!

Crystal Hoop Earrings
We took three different graduated points and slid them over the hoop earrings for an easy pair of earrings!

Items used in earrings: CRY3-36PT, AW00055, Z011592

Crystal Point Drop Earrings

In this example, we chose two points of the same length and dangled one point on either sides of the drop link. And a third point at a longer length at the middle.

Items used in example: CRY3-36PT, AW00055, Y013693, TCZ0077, A002413

Rocky Butte, from our friends at DakotaStones, “is mined in Oregon and may have either dendritic or landscape qualities. It may also be called Rocky Butte Picture Jasper. The combination of color and pattern variation are reminiscent of Red Creek Jasper, although the colors are much more muted. Rocky Butte Jasper strands are predominantly shades of gray, brown and tan with some beads or inclusions of rust and rose.” (DakotaStones.com)

If you love gemstones as much as we do, you’ll love this pair of hoop earrings with North American Rocky Butte gemstone beads. It’s a perfect pair of earrings for fall!

What you’ll need for earrings:

• 4mm Round Gemstones (Item used in example: RBP4RD)
• 30mm Hoop Frame (Z017105)
• Silver Seed Bead (SB00106)
• Headpins (A019647)
• Earring Finding (Item used in example: A008998)

Directions:

1. On a headpin slide on the following amount of gemstones and make a simple loop:
   A. 1 gemstone, make a total of 8.
   B. 2 gemstones, make a total of 12.
   C. 3 gemstones, make a total of 8.
   D. 4 gemstones, make a total of 2.
2. On open hoop on hoop frame and slide on the following seed bead and gemstone dangle:
   Seed bead, A, seed bead, A, seed bead, B, seed bead, B, seed bead, B, seed bead, C, seed bead, C, seed bead, D, seed bead, C, seed bead, C, seed bead, B, seed bead, B, seed bead, B, seed bead, A, seed bead, A and seed bead.
3. Close hoop frame. Open earwire loop and slide on hoop frame loop. Close earwire loop.
4. Repeat Step 2 and 3 for other earring.