ABC's of Creativity - G is Gem

A gem is defined as a cut and polished precious stone or pearl fine enough for use in jewelry (Dictionary.com).

At many bead show and stores there will be strung gems or semi-precious stones on display. It can be inspiring or overwelming.

Rainbow Minerals' booth (from beadinggem.com)

Rainbow Minerals' booth (from beadinggem.com)

Luckily most vendors will display the gems by mineral and usually color.

Gems can be the focal of your creation.

Multistrand Necklace with turquoise, pearls and glass, beaded by J. Woolverton

Coral spikes with black fire-polished beads and gold accents, beaded by J. Woolverton

Sodalite with glass, Swarovski crystals and silver accents, beaded by J. Woolverton

Rainforst Jasper and Swarovski pearls, beaded by J. Woolverton

Turquoise Mosiac Bead with turquoise chips and copper, beaded by M. Rypan

Rypan Designs Rock Candy Braclets

Or they can be an accent to beadweave or other focals.

Rypan Designs Beaded Soutache necklace accented with Fluorite pendant, beaded by J. Woolverton

Lampwork bead accented with micro lapis lazuli beads and Swarovski crystals, beaded by J. Woolverton

Unknown yellow-green stone hearts with Swarovski cystals and silver, beaded by J. Woolverton

Lampwork beads accented with amber, glass beads, beaded by J. Woolverton

Jennifer VanBenschoten, over at Beading Daily, recently did a post about using gemstone within your beadweaving. She shares some great tips about weaving them into a design rather just stringing.

Rypan Designs Twig Chip Cascade with Moonstone chips, beadwoven by J. Woolverton

Turquoise Necklace inspired by piece @ ROM, beadwoven by Christina Dufrene from 2010 TBS calender

For an interesting read about gems try Victoria Finlay's Buried Treasure. It is her intrepid journey to uncover the secret histories of precious stones.

Hope that you will be inspired by amazing gems using them just a little or maybe alot.

Happy Beading!