Ways to Save Money When Buying Birthstone Jewelry

When the tradition of birthstones began, there was wide spread belief in the power of gemstones. Different stones were assigned to planets as well as months. Anyone could benefit by wearing a gemstone during the time when its planet gave it power. However the person born then received greater benefit.
Would you like to collect all the birthstones?
Or only the one that is a symbol of your birthday month or zodiac period?
Birthstone jewelry is beautiful, but it can be expensive. You can find affordable birthstones. Here are some suggestions on how to save money.

Identity
The birthstones are gemstones. Some are obviously more expensive than others. The birthstone list currently used in the United States contains less expensive alternates for most months.
There are many other lists:
Astrological charts use different time periods that combine months.
Old historical lists often assign the gemstones to different months and may substitute a few different stones.
Different countries have their own lists.
You can find these birthstones charts in our Learn About Beads section.

Quality
The term genuine gemstone simply means that the stone has the necessary characteristics for its identity. The quality of color and clarity affects the price. Inclusions of other materials decrease clarity. The more visible the inclusions, the lower the price.
We have some affordable gemstones with inclusions that actually make the stone more interesting.

Color
Today many gemstones are color enhanced. Heat treating, diffusion, radiation, oiling, and dyeing are means of improving color. The gemstone industry assumes that these processes have been used, and sellers often do not volunteer the information. Ruby, sapphire, topaz, tanzanite, aquamarine, citrine, and others are routinely heated. Emerald is oiled. Beads may be dyed.
Assuming other qualities equal, natural color gemstones will be the most expensive. Dyed stones will be the least expensive.
We offer beaded jewelry with precious birthstone gemstones in either natural color or dyed color.

Size
Gemstones are sold by weight. The larger the stone, the higher the price per carat. One carat total weight of several small stones will cost less than a one carat single stone. Do not compare weight of different kinds of gemstones. They have different densities. A 1 carat ruby is not the same size as a 1 carat diamond.

Beads
When rough gemstone material comes out of the mine, the highest quality is set aside for cutting into loose stones for settings. The lower quality is used for beads. Why? Because drilling a bead hole wastes valuable weight.
Birthstone beaded jewelry is a good buy. The difference in quality is not always obvious.
The best quality gemstone beads are often tiny faceted rondelle shapes. The more valuable gemstones, such as ruby, emerald, and sapphire are seldom made into large beads, unless they are dyed or contain many inclusions.
If you want natural color birthstones, we have them in beaded jewelry at an affordable price.

Lab Created or Synthetic Gemstones
They have the same characteristics as natural gemstones, but not the same inclusions. The process contains similarities to the natural creation, but time and quality are controlled by man. These high quality stones are expensive, but should cost less than the same quality mined gemstone.

Imitation Birthstones
They may be other less expensive gemstones that are dyed. Howlite is used to imitate turquoise.
Other inexpensive man made materials, such as glass, are used for fake gemstones. The price should be much lower than genuine gemstone jewelry.
Swarovski crystal is a popular substitute as a birthstone. The colors are named after gemstones. You can order our custom made Swarovski jewelry.

Pearls
Pearls are organic gemstones created by oysters (salt water) or clams (freshwater). Natural pearls found by diving are rare and most expensive.
Today almost all genuine pearl jewelry is cultured on pearl farms. The clam or oyster is induced to create the pearl. Pearls are sorted according to quality, size, and shape. Lower quality freshwater pearls may be dyed. These characteristics determine price.
Freshwater pearls usually cost less than salt water pearls. Take a look at our handmade pearl jewelry .
Imitations are man made, usually by coating glass, crystal, or plastic. Faux is a French word for false and indicates imitation. Again, quality will determine price

Precious Metals
The cost of gold and silver has increased drastically. They are also sold by weight. Heavy ornate settings, clasps, or large beads will increase cost of the jewelry.
Different kinds of metal are priced from high to low in this order: gold, vermeil (gold plated sterling silver), sterling silver, gold filled (heavy plating), gold plated, silver plated, gold or silver tone base metals.

Beaded Jewelry
Beaded birthstone jewelry has other options for lower prices.
Tiny spacer beads reduce the number of birthstone beads needed. They can be silver, gold, inexpensive gemstones, or glass seed beads.
Look for other less expensive beads in the design, or just a few birthstones as focal points.
A larger number of small birthstone beads will show better than a single gemstone set in a ring or pendant of the same price.

Designer
This term can raise the price. Designer jewelry implies special talent, design experience or education. In reality, anyone can advertise as a designer. Jewelry that carries the name of a well known store, name brand, famous designer, or celebrity may cost more. Endorsements are expensive.
If fashion jewelry containing imitation gemstones and base metal is sold in a well known or upscale clothing store, it can cost more than jewelry with genuine gemstones sold on a website.
We design our own unique jewelry, but we do not increase the jewelry prices.

Custom Made
Birthstone jewelry that requires extra time, new design, buying new or unusual materials can increase cost.
Instead use our existing designs with substitution of in stock stones or beads.

Middlemen
The number between the mine and the jewelry seller is one of the biggest factors affecting price.
A hobbyist who buys materials from a retail store adds a middleman.
Because we make the jewelry sold on our website, we eliminate several middlemen.
We buy some of our beads directly from a cutter. Distributors are eliminated, and information about the gemstones is reliable. We pass the savings on to our customers.

Overhead
Sellers have to pay many of these business overhead costs: store, warehouse, office; employees; business records; website design and upkeep; photography; advertising.
Buy from a business that is run from a home. Look for information on the About Us page.

Mass Produced Jewelry
Large volume selling can mean cheap prices. Materials are bought in large quantities. Even handmade items are produced by a large number of workers repeating the same design. Usually the jewelry is imported from countries where labor is cheap. You can find this jewelry in chain stores, large websites, discount stores.
Few or one of a kind jewelry cannot be offered.
Quality may be affected by time deadlines, boring repetition, or inexpensive materials.
Because we design and make the jewelry we sell, we take pride in our quality.

Shipping and Packaging
It is never free. Websites that advertise free shipping must include the cost in overhead.
Flat rate shipping is easiest for the seller, but may not always be the cheapest. For small packages USPS first class is usually less.
International shipping is highest. If you buy directly from a country where labor costs are low, the savings may be offset by high shipping.
Handling costs can vary. Fancy boxes and other packaging affect the total cost of the jewelry.
We usually ship first class using inexpensive durable packaging, unless our customer has a special request.

Conclusion
If you do comparison shopping, be sure you are comparing the same quality birthstone jewelry.
Be suspicious of low cost items that cannot be returned easily, worthless guarantees, deceiving imitations.
If the price is too low to be true, it probably is not a bargain.
Save money, but do it intelligently.

Do not copy this post.
I recently submitted a different version of this article to several free article directories.

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June introductions of new handmade beaded jewelry. Tracy’s latest designs include 2 stunning necklaces containing red coral. One uses a lot of Bali silver along with some large turquoise chunky nuggets. The other includes beads marketed as gold coral.The color actually looks more like light brown than gold.

Red Coral and Turquoise Necklace Large nuggets of turquoise and bright red genuine coral. Bali silver beads and teardrop add interest. Wear it as a bright focal point. #1036 Unique Red Coral and Turquoise Necklace SOLD

Red White and Gold Coral Necklace Large red coral beads and white coral chips. Unusual brown coral with gold chatoyancy. #1037Red and White Coral Necklace SOLD

I found some beautiful genuine sapphire beads at a recent bead show. They are from one of my favorite sellers. He gave me a great price which I am passing on to my customers. I have included Bali sterling silver beads in the necklace. This necklace features 2 strands of sapphires in the front where they will show. The back is liquid sterling silver with a few sapphire rondelles.

Dark Blue Sapphire Necklace A 2 strand beaded genuine sapphire necklace. Bali sterling silver beads. Sparkling little faceted rondelles. #453 Handmade Sapphire Necklace $140

From the same seller.These sunstone drops are a nearly transparent orange red. Most have a chatoyant sheen when light hits them. You can see little specks in some of the drops.

Handmade Sunstone Necklace Shimmering red orange sunstone teardrops hang from a gold necklace.Tiny sparkling inclusions within the beads Wear it with any shade of brown or beige and many other colors. #445 Beaded Sunstone Necklace $80

This ambronite is a nice translucent golden yellow. I am not sure what it is. The name is being used to market the beads. My research for ambronite gave me 2 different gemstones. Yellow jasper which is usually opaque and looks quite different. It might be yellow jade, but the name jade has been misused to market many lower priced gemstones. So why call jade by an unknown trade name like ambronite? Whatever it is, I like it.

Ambronite and Lapis Lazuli Necklace Golden translucent ambronite. Medium blue lapis cubes as spacers. Looks nice with navy blue. #400 Handmade Ambronite Necklace $55

Seraphinite is a little known unusual dark green gemstone with silvery white inclusions. I found some vintage German crystal with intentional white inclusions. I was told that these beads were made about 1960. The German maker was copying a design with similar white inclusions used by Swarovski in the 1950s. I like the similarity between the white in the green and crystal beads.

Seraphinite and Vintage Crystal Necklace Both the seraphinite gemstones and German crystal have feathery white inclusions. German crystal is a 1960s version of a 1950s Swarovski crystal bead. Dark forest green that can be worn with many colors. #449 Seraphinite Gemstone Necklace SOLD

These unusual emerald beads came from a local supplier that I have used for more than 15 years. Inclusions make the beads opaque. I am not sure what all the inclusions are. The brown is probably matrix, the rock that held the emerald crystal. There are little sparkling dots from a mineral.

Opaque Genuine Emerald Necklace Beautiful green emerald color combined with other dark colors and some inner sparkle. Genuine emerald beads also include a mixture of other materials, probably the matrix rock that held the crystal, maybe some other minerals. #450 Handmade Emerald Necklace $80

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Handmade Beaded Seraphinite Necklaces

Did you know that seraphinite was found in 1851 in Pennsylvania.

Seraphinite is unique jewelry that is not easy to find as beaded jewelry. This is high quality handmade gemstone jewelry.

Click on a jewelry photo to see additional information and a larger picture.

Seraphinite and Vintage Crystal Necklace Both the seraphinite gemstones and German crystal have feathery white inclusions. German crystal is a 1960s version of a 1950s Swarovski crystal bead. A unique combination in a genuine gemstone necklace. Dark forest green that can be worn with many colors. #449 Seraphinite Handmade Beaded Necklace SOLD

Seraphinite is a variety of clinochlore. It is mined in eastern Siberia. The name refers to an angel. Mica inclusions look like silvery feathers.

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Handmade Beaded Sunstone Necklaces

Did you know that sunstones may have been found in Viking burial places.

Our sunstone jewelry is high quality genuine handmade gemstone jewelry. Sparkling tiny inclusions give it a unique appearance that sets it apart from other red orange beaded jewelry.

Click on a jewelry photo to see additional information and a larger picture.

Handmade Sunstone Necklace Shimmering red orange sunstone teardrops hang from a gold necklace.Tiny sparkling inclusions within the beads Wear it with any shade of brown or beige and many other colors. #445 Beaded Sunstone Necklace $45

Sunstone Beaded Necklace This unique beaded necklace combines sunstone large flat faceted chunks and little faceted rondelles with copper beads. Sunstone is a beautiful gemstone that has little sparkling inclusions. Not limited to summer styles. Wear it in any season. #508 Sunstone and Copper Beaded Necklace SOLD

Sunstone Handmade Beaded Necklace Unique combination of large silver and gold chain with flat chunks of orange sunstone gemstone beads. Matching round gold toggle clasp can be positioned at the side to change the look. Put the bar through any ring of the chain to shorten the necklace length. #507 Handcrafted Silver and Gold Chain with Sunstone Necklace $45

Sunstone is a variety of oglioclase. Tiny inclusions of hematite give it the red orange color. Value is based on the color and schiller. Transparent is the most valuable. Before 1800 it was rare. Found in Siberia in the 1800s. Found in Oregon in late 1990s. Oregon sunstone has inclusions of copper. Hardness: 6 – 6.5 Density:2.62 – 2.65

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Ambronite Handmade Beaded Necklaces

Did you know that ambronite is supposed to diminish stress and anxiety.

Our ambronite beaded gemstone jewelry is unique handmade jewelry. The ambronite beads are a beautiful transucent golden yellow, sometimes with a hint of red.

Click on a jewelry photo to see additional information and a larger picture.

Ambronite and Lapis Lazuli Necklace Golden translucent ambronite gemstone necklace. Medium blue lapis cubes as spacers. Looks nice with navy blue. #400 Ambronite Handmade Gemstone Necklace $40

Ambronite Gemstone Necklace This yellow gemstone jewelry is also known as yellow jade. The colors range from transparent white to dark golden yellow with a few touches of red. Handcrafted with little spacer beads of sterling silver and gold. Wear this unique beaded necklace in any season. Especially nice with autumn colors. #1049 Handmade Beaded Ambronite Necklace $40

Ambronite is a trade name. In China it is used for yellow jade. Other sites define it as yellow jasper.

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Handmade Beaded Ruby Necklaces
Did you know that in India there was an ancient belief that a large ruby could light a room.
July birthstone
Our ruby jewelry is genuine gemstone jewelry. The handmade beaded necklaces feature small natural color rubies or large color enhanced rubies. You will not find this kind of handcrafted unique jewelry on other sites at these affordable prices.
Click on a jewelry photo to see additional information and a larger picture.
Natural Ruby Necklace large photo, more info Beautiful genuine rubies. Natural color. Not dyed or heat treated. Sparkling little faceted rondelles combined with sterling silver. #438 Handmade Ruby Necklace $55
Ruby Chandelier Gemstone Earrings Genuine little rubies dangle in sterling silver chandelier earrings. Handcrafted gemstone earrings using natural color rubies that are not dyed or heat treated. Match ruby necklace #438 #5210 Handmade Beaded Ruby Chandelier Earrings $25
Pearl and Ruby Necklace Genuine ruby teardrops hang from a necklace of tiny pearls. A unique handmade necklace that you will not see in any other site or store. Affordably priced. #391 Ruby and Pearl Necklace $95	pearl necklace with ruby drops
Rubies contain chromium, which affected the growth of the crystal as it formed underground. Large rubies are rare and very valuable. Good quality natural color rubies are also valuable. Many are color enhanced by heat treating or dyeing.
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table width=”659″ border=”0″ cellspacing=”0″ cellpadding=”10″> Did you know that emeralds were being mined in Egypt as early as 1300 BC. May Birthstone This emerald jewelry is genuine gemstone jewelry. It is handcrafted using either natural color or color enhanced emeralds. The unique beaded jewelry includes handmade gemstone necklaces with large stones at affordable prices. Click on a jewelry photo to see additional information and a larger picture. Shaded Green Emerald Necklace A beaded gemstone necklace with genuine emeralds. Natural colors range from light green to dark emerald green. Sparkling faceted emerald beads. Cut sterling silver beads add more sparkle to this beautiful handmade gemstone necklace. Genuine emerald jewelry at an affordable price. #475 Handmade Emerald Gemstone Necklace SOLD Genuine Emerald Necklace A dark green handmade beaded necklace with large chunky beads that are an unusual size for emerald beads. An affordable unique necklace. G reat May birthstone jewelry that also is stylish. The black onyx spacers will complement black clothes. #454 Emerald Beaded Gemstone Necklace SOLD Opaque Genuine Emerald Necklace Beautiful green emerald color combined with other dark colors and some inner sparkle. Genuine emerald beads also include a mixture of other materials, probably the matrix rock that held the crystal, maybe some other minerals. #450 Handmade Emerald Necklace $40

Emerald is the green variety of beryl. Other named beryl colors include aquamarine (light blue-green), morganite (pink), goshenite (colorless), and heliodor (yellow). Before gemologists had the means of determining the identity of gemstones, several other green stones were includeded under the emerald name. Today other less valuable gemstones sometimes use the emerald name in trade names. Visit the home page for information about our jewelry. handmade beaded jewelry .org

Handmade Beaded Sapphire Necklaces

Did you know that the Logan sapphire is 423 carats and is one of the world’s largest.

September Birthstone

This sapphire jewelry is genuine handmade gemstone jewelry. The beaded necklaces use natural color sapphires or color enhanced genuine sapphires. An affordable choice for September birthstone jewelry.

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Dark Blue Sapphire Necklace A 2 strand beaded genuine sapphire necklace. Bali sterling silver beads. Sparkling little faceted rondelles. #453 Handmade Sapphire Necklace $80

Umba Multicolor Sapphire Necklace Umba sapphires are named for the location where they are mined. A beaded gemstone necklace of genuine sapphires in natural colors.Various shades of pink sapphires, blue sapphires, and pale green sapphires, separated by sterling silver beads. Unique sapphire jewelry. A beautiful handmade gemstone necklace of sparkling little faceted rondelles to wear with many clothes colors. #476 Handmade Genuine Sapphire Necklace $SOLD

Sapphire, like ruby, is curundum. Before the 19th century only blue curundum was called sapphire. Other colors were erroneously grouped with same color gemstones.Today we know that there are many other sapphire colors.

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Handcrafted Black Glass Bead Earrings

These handcrafted glass earrings are primarily black jewelry. They may contain flowers or other color lampwork glass designs in the beads. Matching glass bead necklaces are on the Glass Jewelry page

Black Millefiori Glass Earrings tiny multi color flowers in black glass beads more details #5020 Black Millefiori Earrings $17

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Black Swarovski Crystal Earrings

These black handmade Swarovski earrings are handcrafted using genuine Swarovski crystal beads. Drop earrings or dangle earrings.

Swarovski Black and Clear Crystal Earrings Jet black Swarovski crystal contrasts with the clear crystal Swarovski bicones. Less sparkle than total clear crystal earrings. Very versatile. Matches necklace #362 more details #5171 Swarovski Jet and Crystal Earrings $16

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Handmade Black Seed Bead Earrings

Our black handcrafted earrings include many kind of beads. The seed bead earrings are handmade using tiny black glass beads.

Black Rainbow Seed Bead Earrings Black Rainbow Seed Bead Handcrafted Earrings These iridescent beads show rainbow colors in the black. Matches black rainbow seed bead necklace #185 also available as clip on earrings more details #5051 Handmade Black Rainbow Seed Bead Earrings $15

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Blue Swarovski Crystal Earrings

These blue crystal earrings are handcrafted with genuine Swarovski crystal beads. The blue Swarovski colors include light and dark sapphire, aquamarine, and indicolite. Handmade beaded earrings in drop earrings and dangling earrings styles. Designed for pierced ears, but also available as clip on earrings.

Swarovski Light Blue Crystal Earrings Simple inexpensive little handmade beaded earrings. This is pure light blue not aqua. more details #5173 Swarovski Light Sapphire Drop Earrings $13.50

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Handmade Blue Pearl Drop Earrings

Blue pearl earrings handcrafted with mother of pearl beads or freshwater pearls. No imitation materials are used in these handmade beaded earrings.

Large Blue Mother of Pearl Earrings Bright aqua blue with tiny white seed beads inside the large rectangle shape hoops. Can be worn with necklace #317 and bracelet #2013 more details #5121 Large Blue Mother of Pearl Handcrafted Beaded Earrings $16

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Blue Glass Bead Earrings

Blue handcrafted glass earrings include dark blue and light blue as well as aqua. These handmade beaded earrings consist of millefiori glass beads and other lampwork bead earrings designs. Choose the matching necklace on the Glass Jewelry page to create a beautiful unique jewelry set.

Light Blue Millefiori Glass Earrings Bright aqua blue tiny flowers in lighter blue transparent glass. Matches necklace #132 more details #5017 Light Blue Milliefiori Handmade Beaded Earrings $15

Handmade Blue Glass Earrings Lampwork glass beads are medium blue with bands of darker blue and white. Smaller white beads match the white bands. Drop earrings. Matches necklace #308 more details #5109 Medium Blue Handcrafted Glass Earrings $14

Blue Flower Glass Earrings Dark blue coin shape glass beads contain white flowers with yellow centers.Great for summer, or a reminder of summer flowers in winter. Matches necklace #311 more details #5112 Blue Glass Handcrafted Earrings $14

Blue and Pink Flower Lampwork Glass Bead Earrings Blue lampwork glass beads with pink flowers. Drop Earrings. Match necklace #289 and bracelet #2008 Length from the top of the sterling silver hook is 1 3/8 inches. more details #5099 Handmade Blue Lampwork Glass Bead Earrings $17

Aqua Lampwork Glass Bead Earrings Bright aqua lampwork glass beads with two pink flowers and tiny green leaves. Drop earrings Matches necklace #101. more details #5190 Handmade Aqua Lampwork Bead Earrings $17

Czech Crystal Light Aqua Earrings Faceted crystal round beads in a sparkling light aqua color. Match the amazonite and Czech crystal necklace. more details #5202 Light Aqua Crystal Earrings $15

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Handmade Blue Seed Bead Earrings

Blue earrings handcrafted with glass seed beads. Drop earrings designed for pierced ears, but available as clip on earrings. Choose a matching handmade necklace from the Seed Bead Jewelry page.

Blue Seed Bead Earrings Blue Seed Bead Handmade Beaded Earrings Bright dark royal blue tiny beads in a stiletto style earring Matches necklace #102 also available as clip on earrings more details #5044 Royal Blue Handcrafted Seed Bead Earrings $15

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