Bead Jewelry
The Creative Flexibility Bead Jewelry Offers It comes as no surprise that the most ancient forms of jewelry, with examples being found that are over a thousand centuries old, bead jewelry remains an affordable and fashionable alternative for those who want interesting jewelry that isn’t going to cost them a fortune. No matter what type of color, style, material or size a person is looking for, it is easy to find the perfect bead to serve as the solution.
There are many kinds of beads, ranging in size from smaller than a millimeter to more than a centimeter in diameter. Typically, beads are strung using a variety of materials such as string, special kinds of wire or very strong types of fishing line, valued for its transparency and tensile strength. While the earliest bead work known to man is composed of sea snail shells, today beads are available in a variety of materials, most commonly including plastic, glass or stone. There are beads created from paper, seeds, wood or other plant fibers as well as beads from such materials as bone, coral, horn, pearl, shell or other materials that are derived from animals. Metal, clay, ceramic and even gemstone beads also exist.
Native Americans utilized the antlers of elk to make their beaded breast plates, but horn of bison is often used today and in other countries, water buffalo bones. The use of horns, antlers and bones in bead work is typically employed to display an affinity with nature and a connection with one’s ancestry. All throughout the world, bead jewelry of one form or another has been employed, so much of the jewelry today is either from bygone eras or created to establish a connection with those times.
Many collectors prefer the look of glass beads because they are much brighter and have a higher shine or luster than many other forms of beads. From lamp work beads to Millefiori beads to fire polished beads, the glass end of the spectrum offers a vibrant array of colors to suit all tastes. The way that these beads catch the light lends them a certain level of magic that collectors adore.
In today’s bead jewelry fancy, there is a strong affinity towards vintage bead work. This is considered to be jewelry containing beads that are 25 or more years old. Antique jewelry has a very high market value and an incredibly strong appeal to those who wish to own something beautiful from the past. The wide variety of materials used in this type of bead work allows for a much greater range of style and color choices for those who wish to won a truly unique and sentimental piece of jewelry that can be cherished for its nostalgic value.
One thing is certain, when it comes to beads, no matter what color or shape is favored, there is definitely going to be a bead that matches expectations perfectly. Few other forms of jewelry can compete with this level of diversity, particularly at the price point that beads are offered at.