MrBead Bead Shop

MrBead Bead Newsletter
3rd October 2015  

Hematite, Autumn & Halloween Beads    


Visit us for a free gift: 2015 UK Bead Fairs.  See Us Today at Luton or Uxbridge Sunday.

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Content:
15% Discount Off Anything from MrBead
MrBead Bead Fairs

Hematite Beads
Autumn Jewellery
Gems for the Fall
Opal - October's Gemstone
Halloween Beads

Newsletter Archive
Nigel's Blog
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For our bead shop click MrBead.co.uk or MrBead.com

15% Off Anything From MrBead!
For 15% off anything from our bead store enter GOTHIC in the box at checkout and click "Redeem Coupon" Use NOW - as expires Friday 9th October 2015.  No minimum order, but can only for used at MrBead.com  or MrBead.co.uk or our gothic store at AwesomeRings.com.  Cannot be used with any other discount or eBay.

Beading PresentMrBead Autumn UK Bead Fairs


Visit us next at Luton on Saturday 3rd October or at Uxbridge on Sunday the 4th October. Say you're a MrBead Newsletter reader and receive a free gift and a gold & black MrBead bag! Below pictures are from Harrowgate and Perth fairs.

Harrowgate Bead FairHappy MrBead Cusromers at Perth Bead Fair


Date Name Venue Address Time Details
Saturday 3rd October Luton MrBead Bead Show Stockwood Hotel 41-43 Stockwood Crescent, Luton, LU1 3SS  11am to 4pm Click
Sunday 4th October Beadwork and Bead Fair Uxbridge College, Sports Hall Park Road, Uxbridge, London UB8 1NQ 10.30am to 4.30pm Click
Saturday 11th October Norwich MrBead Bead Show George Hotel Arlington Lane, Newmarket Road, Norwich, Norfolk NR2 2DA 11am to 4pm Click
Saturday 17th October The Big Bead Show Sandown Park Racecourse High Street, Esher, London KT10 9AJ 10am to 5pm Click
Sat & Sun 24th & 25th Oct Newton Abbot Gem 'n' Bead Fair Newton Abbot Racecourse Kingsteignton, Newton Abbot, Devon TQ12 3AF 10am to 5pm Sat 10am to 4pm Sun Click

Full list of: our 2015 UK Bead Fairs
See a video of some of our past bead fairs
Best Independent List of UK Bead Fairs

Hematite Beads - The Benefits of Magnetic Therapy

The benefits of hematite
Magical Hematite Rondel Bead String154 Slinky Black Hematite Disc Heishi Beads - Heavy!Hematite makes great jewellery because it's inexpensive and look shiny and sleek. People wear it as rings, bracelets and necklaces not only for style, but because they believe the magnetic variety relieves rheumatism. Magnetic therapy has been around for over 4,000 years.

The idea is that a magnetic field can relax capillary walls in the body. This causes an increase in blood flow, similar to the effect of massaging your muscles, and stimulate the areas around the muscles to speed up healing. Others say, magnetic jewellery allows the body to produce endorphins, the natural pain killers.

What is hematite
Hematite
Hematite is one of the most common minerals, formed by oxidized iron. Although usually black in jewellery, it adds to the red colour of garnet and ruby. All non-crystalline forms of hematite come from the mineral Limonite that lost water due to heat. Hence recent excitement of the discovery of grey hematite on the planet Mars - suggesting there was water once present. Only well-formed crystals are cut and polished into cabochons for jewellery, beads, and ornaments.

Hematite comes from a Greek word for "blood-like" because of the colour, and ancient superstition believed that hematite was formed from battles.

Different types of hematite beads
New Aurora Borealis Hematite Hexagonal Beads - Unusual!
New Aurora Borealis Hematite Tube Beads - Unusual!Not all hematite is magnetic.  Sometimes the magnetic attraction can be a disadvantage to jewellery design - pulling metal from other components.  And there is a new type of hematite bead recently available giving yet another angle to this versatile metal - Aurora Borealis. This is hematite with an AB coating similarly used on crystals to give a multi-coloured effect when turned.  This looks striking on jewellery designed to be worn in bright lights at night.

Properties
3 Large Unusual Hematite Frame Beads - 41mmHematite's properties come from the energy of iron and the calming of oxygen. It's a protective stone and its energy helps you connect with the Earth. Use during meditation to escape the illusionary chains of physical reality and become more connected to your true, spirit self - it's been used as an aid to astral projection. It also bolsters low self-esteem, making you feel more comfortable.

Its grounding and soothing energies can help you relax and unwind both physically and mentally. Hematite is said to be closely tied to the blood due to its iron content. Believed to aid the kidneys, speed tissue regeneration, and contribute to improving the blood, and so the overall health of your entire body.

Hematite is a good choice for those born under the zodiac sign of Virgo.

To see our 18 different shapes of hematite beads click MrBead.com or MrBead.co.uk

 

Autumn Jewellery

 

Autumn is a great time to make some classy seasonal jewellery.  Amber is ideal for this time of year, along with all types of brown, dark greens, gold, and misty yellow.  Pearls, nature's treasure from the deep, can be very effective mixed with other beads – especially as they come in autumn colours too.  Let these fabulous fall colours with a touch of gold capture your imagination as well as your eye. 

Try mixing contrasting colours like brown and gold with blues and green.  Some of the most popular gemstones that make fabulous autumn jewellery are listed below.  To see any of these gemstones in our US store, just click the picture.                                 

Gems for the Fall

 Agate
Agate is the obvious stone to use in Fall.  It forms by filling a cavity in its host rock, resulting in round nodules, with bands like the rings of a tree trunk, looking like eyes.  Agate was highly valued as a talisman in ancient times and has been used as a traveler’s amulet for centuries.  It is believed to bring good fortune, health, wealth and long life.  Some call its strange patterns 'cosmic caterpillar tracks'.  Others' swear that wearing these beads can heighten the spiritual consciousness and balance the body's physical and mental states.  Dzi is one of the most mysterious of all the beads known today.  These shiny Tibetan agate beads, patterned with mystical eyes are among the most treasured beads in the world. “Dzi” in Tibetan means:  "shine, brightness, clearness, and splendor.

  Carnelian
Another stone from the quartz family, usually bright orange to reddish orange. Carnelian is for confidence.  Said to help blood disorders and eliminate toxins from the body.  Carnelian is in tune with the energies of the Earth, making you feel anchored and comfortable with your environment.  A good stone for people starting new projects or who feel they are going nowhere.  It motivates, allowing you to find the energy to make the most out of life.

 


Citrine
”Citrine” comes from the French word for lemon, and is any quartz crystal or cluster that’s yellow to orange.  The darker, orange colours were traditionally the best, but today people prefer bright lemony shades to mix with pastel colours.  Sunny citrine brightens all jewellery, blending especially well with the yellow gleam of polished gold.  The yellow colour is a natural reviver, and citrine focuses the mind bringing a feeling of self-esteem.  

 Coral
Coral was long thought to be a strong talisman against evil spirits and hurricanes.  It is also said to reduce blood flow.  Naturally its colour ranges from white to red, but most red coral these days is dyed. However, these days almost any colour can be made by dying white coral. It grows in branches that look like underwater trees.  

 

 
Flake Stone

The most common flaked stone is goldstone which is ideal for autumn jewellery.  A man-made stone, first created by alchemists trying to make gold - however, all material has properties, these are transmitter stones.  Causing light to pass through you in order to convey or receive a medium.  Revitalizing, energizing, and encouraging a positive attitude and individualism.


Jade & Aventurine
For 5,000 years Imperial China used the word "jade" as something precious.  Because jade is said to have all the attributes most valued in society.  A symbol of purity and serenity, it is delicate, but will not break - is beautiful, but not impermanent, it can be flawed with lines, but still pleasing. It is believed to radiate divine unconditional love and balance the emotions.  The most famous type of jade carved in China is from Burma, with shades of green, lavender, yellow, white and grey. 


Jasper
Jasper was highly valued in ancient times, not only for its beauty, but also for its magical and medicinal properties.  Jasper is known as the “patron stone of counselors and healers”.  Red jasper is an intensely protective stone, stabilizing the aura and bringing contentment.  Poppy jasper is dark red with black flecks.  Picture  jasper is pale brown with darker patterns - named from pictures formed by patterns caused by trapped fossilizes algae.  Fancy jasper is creamy brown with lavender or green swirls.

Lapis Lazuli
Lapis Lazuli is gemstone straight out of fairy tales of the Arabian Nights: deepest blue with golden shining Pyrite inclusions which twinkle like little stars.  Through the ages, lapis has been associated with power, wisdom, and love.  The twinkling inclusions are not gold but pyrite, caused by iron.  The blue colour comes from the sulfuric content of lazurite.  For many people lapis is a stone of truth and friendship. A powerful gemstone that should not be worn by those who lack strength of character.


Malachite & Rhodonite
Malachite is green with irregular black banding. Its green stripes have the ability to soothe and bring rest - helping sleep, meditation, the circulation and balancing emotions.  The copper content helps rheumatism.  The magic of malachite is also thought to attract love and wealth.  Some say malachite travels the world in search of energies to change.  Rhodonite is usually pink to red or orange, very popular in 18th-century Russia where it was used extensively to decorate the Russian court.  Rhodonite has similar properties to malachite. 

 Mookaite
Mookaite forms in Western Australia. An Australian aboriginal healing stone that bestows strength. It helps heal wounds and encourages the desire for variety and new experiences.  Mookaite helps us to be kind to others is a very protective stone too.

 

Pearl
The least expensive cultured pearls today rival the most expensive natural pearls ever found.  Natural freshwater pearls occur in mussels for the same reason saltwater pearls occur in oysters.  Foreign material inside a mussel can't be expelled.  To reduce irritation, the mollusk coats the intruder with the same secretion it uses for shell-building, nacre.  To cultivate a pearl, farmers slit the mussel and insert small pieces of live tissue from another mussel.  This can produce usually odd shapes. So for more roundness, the Chinese now reshape rejected pearls into spheres, and then nucleate mussels with them.  Being an organic gem, grooves, pits, or dents are expected.  Freshwater pearls are popular for their colours: white, silvery-white, pink, red, copper, brown, lavender, purple, green, blue, and yellow.  These are usually dyed these days.

Tigers Eye
Tiger's-eye is polished to show its characteristic band of pearly luminescence, resulting from light reflecting off its thin parallel inclusions in the quartz.  Colours range from a rich golden yellow to dark brown. Tiger’s-Eye is good for those worried about health.  It also builds will-power and inner-strength.

 

 
Topaz
Topaz is a common gemstone that has been used for centuries in jewellery. Usually golden brown to yellow colour. The Egyptians said that topaz was coloured with the golden glow of the mighty sun god Ra. This made topaz a very powerful amulet that protected the faithful against harm. The Romans associated topaz with Jupiter, who also is the god of the sun. And Greek legend has it that topaz could make the wearer invisible and would change colour in the presence of poisoned food or drink.

Click any of the above pictures to see these type of beads in our store
We have royal blue lapis with gold pyrite as they are so popular, see at MrBead.com or MrBead.co.uk                                                                         

 

Opal: October's Gemstone

What is Opal?
All of Natures fury can be seen in fine opal. Like a Rembrandt: fire, lightning, all the colours of the rainbow and the shine of far seas. Australia supplies about 95% of the worlds opal from the outback. Aborigines there believe their creator came down to Earth on a rainbow to bring the message of peace to all humans. And at the spot where his foot touched the ground, opal was born.

The name Opal could have came from many places. In Greek Opallios translates as colour change, and to the ancient Romans Opalus was a stone from several elements. Pliny, a Roman author, wrote that opal combines the sparkle of Almandine, the shining purple of Amethyst, the golden yellow of Topaz, and the deep blue of Sapphire.                                     

Types of Opal                              
Fine opals shine and sparkle in a continually changing play of colours called Opalising. Depending on the rock and location they have names like Harlequin, Peacock, Mexican, and Fire Opal. Most opal has this play of colours except Common Opal, a name give to all others, like Pink Opal. Because demand outstrips supply, fine opalizing opal is very very expensive, so is sold in individual beads for hundreds of US dollars each. Therefore, the type of opal common in necklaces is non-opalizing opal - usually pink opal from Peru (more below).

Opals fantasy-like play of colour is caused by small spheres of silica creating interference and refraction manifestations. The spheres, which are arranged in compact structures, dissect light through the gemstone, turning it into the rainbow effect, always new and different.

Peruvian Opal
Peruvian Opal comes in faint pink, light blue and light mint-green tones. From the Andes Mountains near San Patricio, Peru, just like the name implies. Although native South Americans have been using the stone for more than a thousand years, it only became widely available commercially within the last decade or so. It is usually translucent to opaque with no play of colour and often has lots of black and tan dendrites. Most Peruvian Opal beads are semi-opaque to opaque. Peruvian opals metaphysical properties are similar to other opals. Helping to intensify your traits and characteristics and deepening your personal understanding. Peruvian Opal in particular is used to activate the heart charka and to assist you during spiritual journeys.  

How to Value Opal          
The most important criterion for determining the price of fine opal is the play of colour, the colours themselves and their pattern. If red appears when looking through the stone, all the other colours will also. Value also depends on body colour, transparency, and original location. Body colour can be black, dark or light, or coloured. Black Opal or a dark grey body has the most brilliant play of colour. Black Opal from Lightning Ridge or Mexican Fire Opal is the best. Crystal opal, is the next best, and should be more transparent with a deep play of colour. White or milky opals show more diffuse colour and are the cheapest.

To best bring out the play of colour in a fine opal, the stones are cut and polished to round or oval cabochons, or any other softly domed shape. Only the best qualities of Fire Opal are suited to faceting. The opal cutter removes any impurities using a diamond cutting wheel, before working out the rough basic shape, fine cutting, and finishing with sandpaper and polishing with a wet leather wheel.

How does Opal Effect You?
Opal is thought to solve depression and to help its wearer find true love. Opals are supposed to enhance the positive characteristics for people born under the sign of Cancer. With Black Opal recommended to Scorpios and Boulder Opal for Aries. The opalizing effect reflects changing emotions and moods of people. People prefer different opals for different moods. Opals are like human emotions: each type creates different feelings.        Peruvian Opal  

Looking after Opal               

Due to 2 to 6% water, opals easily become brittle and if stored too dry or exposed to heat over a longer period of time, they will show fissures and the play of colour will fade. Therefore, Opal jewellery should be worn as often as possible, for then the gemstone will receive the needed humidity from the air and from the skin of its wearer. In earlier days opals sensitive surface was oiled, but today they are sealed with clear resin.   


To buy our Peruvian Opal Nugget Beads click MrBead or MrBead.co.uk     
 

Halloween Beads                     

                                                  top of page

Halloween       Have a Spooky Halloween with Orange and Black Beads!   

Skull Beads
Skull BeadsSkull BeadsSkull beads are very popular right now - we sell loads!  They're ideal for Halloween and students have been hanging them on their rucksacks all year.  Skulls remind that we all have to die. Skulls show that life is not permanent and are a symbol that we are all flirting with death. See our many skull beads at MrBead.com or MrBead.co.uk.

Awesome Rings HalloweenOrange & Black Beads
With Halloween just around the corner, we thought it fun to look at orange and black gemstone beads. You can't celebrate Halloween without using the colours black and orange. They are also great to wear during autumn since orange matches the beautiful fall leaves, and black is a classy tone that will compliment every colour. The classic gemstones in these colours are orange carnelian and black onyx.

Carnelian gets the brilliant orange colour from iron oxide, and black onyx is usually made by treating chalcedony or agate with a sugar solution and then carbonizing it with heated sulfuric acid. Colour enhancements for these stones are so common that majority of carnelians and onyx sold today are enhanced agate. However, this makes the stones available in larger sizes and at more affordable prices.

Other stones in these colours are fire opals, pearls, and orange aventurines for sunset tones - and obsidian or jet for black beads. It may also be fun to combine copper findings with onyx beads if you want a classy jewellery that you can wear year- round but would still have a hint of Halloween.

Checkout some of our spooky gothic jewellery at our sister store, click: AwesomeRings

To see our Carnelian beads click MrBead.com or MrBead.co.uk
For our Onyx beads click MrBead.com or MrBead.co.uk                      return to top

 



15% Off Anything From MrBead!
For 15% off anything from our bead store enter GOTHIC in the box at checkout and click "Redeem Coupon" Use NOW - as expires Friday 9th October 2015. No minimum order, but can only for used at MrBead.com  or MrBead.co.uk or our gothic store at AwesomeRings.com.  Cannot be used with any other discount or eBay.

                                                 
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