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Gauge

Gauge

Gauge is a measurement of the thickness of something, be it beads, wire, thread, or needles. Generally, smaller numbers indicate thicker sizes. Wire gauges ranges from 10 (very thick) to 28 (very thin). Seed bead gauges are written as fractions, like 6/0 (~3.7mm) to 15/0 (~1.5mm). Size 11/0 seed beads are the most common. Thread does not have a standard gauging system, leaving each manufacturer to invent their own.

Gemstone

Gemstone

Precious (sapphire, ruby, diamond, emerald) and semiprecious (hematite, amethyst, jade, onyx, etc.) stones are available in chips and in different shapes.

Glue

Glue

Bead cement or craft glue can be used to keep thread knots from unraveling or keep small pieces in place. Temporary glue can be used to hold work together while assembling it. Use craft glues, or one of the several glues specifically designed for beadwork.

Gold

Gold

A precious metal and an element in the periodic table. Gold is very malleable, as well as being resistant to corrosion. Like copper and silver, pure (24 karat) gold is very soft and so it is usually alloyed with other metals when used in jewelry. Copper is the most often used alloy, which yields a pretty rose gold when higher percentages are used. White gold is gold alloyed with nickel, palladium, or other white metals.

Goldstone

Goldstone

Goldstone is a man-made glass with sparkling materials suspended within it. It is sometimes called aventurine glass, although it is not related to the naturally occurring quartz crystal called aventurine. Natural aventurine also sparkles from inclusions of mica, so there is a superficial resemblance. Goldstone comes in an reddish-orange hue with the sparkles coming from copper, and blue with the sparkles coming from cobalt or manganese.