Turquoise, Fossil & December Beading

18th November 2023

See us this weekend at Brighton Gem n Bead Fair – the last show of the year. Not to be missed at Brighton Racecourse 18th-19th November.

For shows booked so far next year, click Bead Fairs 2024.
MrBead Shop: https://mrbeadshop.com

Content:
To China Sourcing New Beads
Don’t Miss The Last Bead Fair of 2023!
London Gem n Bead Fair Report
December Beading
Turquoise Beads For December
Fossil Coral Beads
2024 Bead Fairs
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15% Off All From MrBead – 2-days only!
Enjoy 15% off anything with no minimum order. Shipping is free too on UK orders over £35. International shipping from £7.

Can only be used at the NEW shop & not with any other coupon. To get the discount Key BRIGHTON at checkout now, as offer ends Monday 20th November. Use at https://mrbeadshop.com.

To China Sourcing New Beads For You!

The lockdowns have prevented us going to China for 3-years – now we’re finally off next week. As shipping has increased, we’re staying longer to buy more – almost a tonne, 1,000kgms. MiMi and I visit literally hundreds of shops, buying flat-out from 11am to 7pm each day.

We’re always looking for anything different – you can see some of these new beads at the early fairs of 2024, and later online. However, while we’re away, we can’t mail online orders, so these will be delayed from 21st November to 11th December.

Don’t Miss The Last Bead Fair of 2023!

Brighton is always fun – we love it there. Enjoy a weekend by the sea and nip up to the racecourse to visit us with easy, free parking.

If you’re without a car, rather than bus to the racecourse, catch an Uber – it’s faster, and for two or more, cheaper. The shows from 10am to 4:00pm, with last entry 1-hour before close (so don’t arrive at the last minute!).

See us near Brighton in the spring, Sunday 24th March 2024, at the East Sussex Bead Fair in the beautiful village of Alfriston. Free entry & refreshments!

Report of London Gem n Bead Fair

The last Kempton Park show is usually the busiest Gem n Bead of the year – however, attendance and takings at this one were the worse ever. Very few visitors both days.

Maybe it was the protests in Central London, ULEZ charges, road closures, train problems, £6 entrance fee, outside-only catering, who knows? Maybe bead buyers don’t like the rocks, or maybe rock buyers are waiting for the new gem show at Sandown Park in a week’s time? Overall, a terrible show and freezing on the Saturday without any heating.

Nevertheless, we’ll give Kempton another chance in the 2024, attending all three shows – next 2nd-3rd March. And we had a great meal at Yum Yum’s on the Saturday evening. Above picture (left-to-right) is Nigel from MrBead; Andrew from Monty’s Beads; MiMi from MrBead; Keith who used to own Gem n Bead; Pete & Diane from Harmoney; and Micheal from Beadbuyer.

DECEMBER BEADING

Early December is a busy time for beading. Out selling at Christmas markets and making designs for presents.

Beaded jewellery makes great gifts. Small and light, and easily mailed or tucked in a stocking. It’s also personal and easy to remember who the gift came from. You can even hang jewellery on the Christmas tree.

Boxed necklaces with matching earring sets make great presents and easy to wrap. Offer your customers free gift wrapping and mailing. For personal gifts buy ready-made jewellery online, requesting your supplier to mail direct with no invoice and a happy Christmas note.

December is the peak retail season, when many stores take one-third of their entire year’s sales. So ensure you make lots of quality necklaces and bracelets well in advance. You can always give away as presents if they don’t all sell.

Turquoise and Blue Topaz is the birthstone for December.  December colours symbolize happiness, prosperity, and success.  Pearls also make ideal Christmas presents – try combining the two or mixing pearls with silver to create an air of sophisticated quality.

Click For Our Ready-Made Jewellery
Click For Our Blue Turquoise

TURQUOISE Beads For DECEMBER

Turquoise: Colour of Summer In the Gem For December

Turquoise beads are often associated with December jewellery because:

• Birthstone
  Turquoise is the birthstones for December. Many people like to wear jewellery featuring their birthstone, believing it brings good luck and positive energy.
• Aesthetic Appeal
  Turquoise’s blue-green colour complements the winter season, resembling the icy tones and cool hues of December.
• Symbolism
  Turquoise has historical and cultural significance. It’s often associated with protection, healing, and positive energy.

For selling, turquoise is similar to jade and pearl for the same reasons. Everyone appreciates it, and the gem always looks good however its used. Turquoise is the birthstone for December.

What is turquoise?
Turquoise is a soft, opaque gemstone, formed by volcanic rock reacting to copper deposits brought by water. Colour ranges from blue-green, to yellow-green with grey, black or brown veining.

Reconstituted Turquoise
Most non-green turquoise these days is dyed. Don’t believe otherwise! It’s easy to tell if turquoise is 100% natural: it will cost well over £30 a string.

Therefore, unless you sell your jewellery upmarket, you’ll be using reconstituted turquoise. This is usual, crafted from real turquoise chips fused with other stones to make affordable. Another cost-cutter is to use howlite.

Howlite Beads

Howlite, named after the Nova Scotia geologist, Henry How, is formed in nodules with veins of black web-like streaks. It’s always white or grey, but commonly dyed blue.

Howlite’s main fame is to imitate turquoise. This is nothing wrong, because it makes an affordable substitute. It accepts a nice polish with attractive lustre, and has similar benefits to turquoise. A simple and gentle stone that aids sleep.

History
Turquoise has been found in 5,000-year-old Egyptian tombs and the Tibetans used to use it as currency. Most turquoise today originates from Burma and is carved in China. Turquoise didn’t reach Europe until the crusades when the name originated, meaning “Turkish stone”.

Benefits
Ancient doctors thought turquoise prevented injury and ground it into a powder to cure stomach disorders and internal bleeding!

Turquoise has always been used to protect the wearer from danger, attract wealth, and warn as a talisman or good luck charm.

Some believe it will fade when danger or illness is near, or a lover is unfaithful. It’s also said to protect against pollution and strengthen the body.

Looking after
Turquoise is porous, so protect from liquids, oils, and perspiration. This is why it’s often impregnated with plastic, colourless oil or wax, to improve colour and durability. Take turquoise jewellery off before washing. Untreated turquoise will eventually turn green.

See what can be done with howlite starfish beads, by one of our creative customers’.

MrBead has a lot of turquoise, see at Turquoise Beads

 

FOSSIL CORAL BEADS

Fossil coral beads are created from stones containing fossils of creatures that lived millions of years ago. The fossilized rock is then pulverized and formed into the bead shape, ready for polishing, drilling, and making into jewellery.

They’re especially cut to reveal unusual and interesting surface features, and then dyed brilliant colours making dramatic eye-catching jewellery. Rich burnt red and vivid polished purple are particularly spectacular.

Fossil coral’s striking pattern is determined by the species of coral that became fossilized. A common fossil coral is made from crinoids stems. These look like flowers, but were really tiny animals – the lines radiating out to form circles are where their spines were attached.

These beads are thought to accelerate positive changes by energising the entire aura.

Click to see all our Fossil Coral Beads

Next Bead Fair

Weekend 18th-19th Nov: Brighton Gem n Bead Fair
Weekend 10th-11th Feb: Harrogate Gem n Bead Fair
Weekend 3rd-4th March: London Gem n Bead Fair
Sunday 12th March: Norwich Bead Fair
Sunday 24th March: East Sussex Bead Fair
Many More To Follow!

For the shows booked so far next year, click: 2024 Bead Fairs.

15% Off All From MrBead – 2-days only!

Enjoy 15% off anything with no minimum order. Shipping is free too on UK orders over £35. International shipping from £7.

Can only be used at the NEW shop & not with any other coupon. To get the discount Key BRIGHTON at checkout now, as offer ends Monday 20th November 2023. Use at https://mrbeadshop.com.

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