Gold Beads and Findings

Gold beads have a long history in jewelry making. Gold was originally selected as the preferred metal for making beads and jewelry supplies due to its malleability (easily hammered into thin sheets) and ductability (easily stretched into very thin wire.) Because pure gold is quite soft, it is mixed, or alloyed, with other stronger metals to produce a more durable material.

Gold is measured in karats. A karat is a unit of measure indicating the percentage of pure gold in the metal. An item that is 100% pure gold is 24 karats. Pure gold will not tarnish, but the alloys used generally will. Metal that is less than 10 karats cannot legally be called "gold" in the United States.

Our "gold" category has only gold beads and findings that are 10 karats gold content or more. Jewelry supplies with a lower gold content are found in the "not really gold" category of our web site.

In Western cultures, it is the symbol for the 50th wedding anniversary. In Asian cultures gold is often very significant in a family's personal wealth and in their spiritual life. Many peoples throughout the world literally wear their life savings in the form of gold jewelry.

Gold beads combined with our gemstone beads or freshwater pearls are simply fabulous luxury. However, if our gold jewelry making supplies are too costly for your project, we offer some very good fakes that will provide as significant an impact.

common treatments: occasionally coated to imitate tarnish or age patina

special care: to avoid tarnish, protect from moisture and chemicals, including swimming pools, make-up, and hair spray

hardness: 2 - 3