Product Information - Thunderbird Supply Company
Product Information
|
 | Silver Addon & Gold Factor Pricing |
| Where'dja get that from? |
| What kind of turquoise, again? |
| How to measure a bead. |
| Information on various stringing supplies |
|  | Traits of the following kinds of cord. |
| Measurments in general |
| Metals Information |
|
|
Stone or Shell |
Country of Origin |
|
Acoma Jet |
USA / NM |
|
African Jade |
South Africa |
|
Alabaster |
USA / Utah |
|
Amber |
Dominican Republic / Burma |
|
Amethyst |
South Africa |
|
Amonzonite
|
Russia / China |
|
Angelite |
Peru |
|
Apache Turquoise |
USA / Nevada |
|
Apple Coral |
South China Sea |
|
Autumn Jasper |
South Africa |
|
Aventurine |
Brazil / India |
|
Azurite/Malachite |
Arizona / USA |
|
Black Onyx |
China |
|
Black Pen Shell |
Philippines |
|
Blue Bird Turquoise |
Mexico |
|
Blue Diamond |
USA / Nevada |
|
Blue Gem |
USA / Nevada |
|
Blue Gold Stone |
Man Made / China |
|
Blue Lace Agate |
South Africa |
|
Blue Opal |
Peru |
|
Blue Quartz |
China |
|
Blue Ridge Turquoise |
China |
|
Blue River Rock |
USA |
|
Carnelian |
China |
|
Chalcedony Pink/Blue |
China |
|
Champagne Quartz |
China |
|
Charoite |
Russia |
|
Chrysocolla |
Peru / USA |
|
Citrine |
Brazil |
|
Coral |
Italy |
|
Coral Bamboo |
China |
|
Dalmatian Jasper |
Mexico |
|
Damele |
USA / Nevada |
|
Dolemite |
USA / Utah |
|
Drusy Blue Lace |
South Africa |
|
Dry Creek Turquoise |
USA / Arizona |
|
Dumortierite |
South Africa |
|
Elephant Jasper |
Mudagascar |
|
Emerald Valley |
China |
|
Fancy Jasper |
Brazil / India |
|
Fish Rock |
USA |
|
Flourite |
China |
|
Fox Turquoise |
USA / Nevada |
|
Frog Stone |
USA |
|
Garnet |
Mexico / South Africa |
|
Gaspeite |
Australia |
|
Gold Empire |
China |
|
Gold Lip |
Philippines |
|
Gold Stone |
Man Made / China |
|
Golden Agate |
South Africa |
|
Green Abalone |
USA |
|
Green Empire Jasper |
China |
|
Green Garnet |
South Africa |
|
Green Jasper |
China / Australia |
|
Green Striped Serpentine |
USA |
|
Hachita Turquoise
|
USA / New Mexico |
|
Hematine |
Man Made / Taiwan , China |
|
Howlite |
South Africa |
|
Ithica Peak Turquoise
|
USA / AZ |
|
Jade,Yellow/Green |
China |
|
Jet |
USA / Pennsylvania |
|
Kingman Turquoise |
USA / Kingman, Arizona |
|
Labradorite |
Canada |
|
Lapis |
Afghanistan |
|
Leopard Skin Jasper |
Mexico |
|
Lepidolite |
South Africa |
|
Malachite |
Australia / South Africa / USA / Zaire |
|
Manassa Turquoise |
USA / Colorado |
|
Manganocalcite |
Peru |
|
Maw Sit-Sit Jade |
Berma |
|
Melon Shell |
Philippines |
|
Millennium Turquoise |
China |
|
Moonkite |
South Africa |
|
Morenci |
USA / Arizona |
|
Muscovite |
Canada |
|
Nambulite |
Australia |
|
New Landers Turquoise |
Nevada |
|
Ocean Jasper |
Australia |
|
Opal |
Australia / Czech / Mexico / USA |
|
Opal (Simulated / Imitation) |
Man Made / Japan |
|
Paua Shell |
Philippines |
|
Pearls |
Philippines / China / Japan |
|
Picasso |
USA / Utah |
|
Pietersite |
South Africa / China |
|
Pilot Mountain |
USA / Nevada |
|
Pink Agate |
China |
|
Pink Coral |
Pacific Ocean |
|
Pink Mussel Shell |
USA |
|
Pink Opal |
Peru |
|
Pinto Valley |
USA / Arizona |
|
Pipestone |
USA / Arizona |
|
Poppy Jasper |
South Africa |
|
Pyrite |
Italy / Norway / Spain / Sweden / USA |
|
Rainbow Moonstone |
Madagascar |
|
Red Abalone |
USA |
|
Red Jasper |
South Africa |
|
Rhodocrosite |
Argentina / Nambia / Russia / USA |
|
Rhodonite |
Australia / India / Soviet Union |
|
Rose Quartz |
South Africa |
|
Rosetta |
Mexico |
|
Royston Turquoise |
USA / Nevada |
|
Ruby Zoisite |
South Africa |
|
Serpentine Brown Striped |
USA / Arizona |
|
Serpentine Cotton Candy |
USA / Arizona |
|
Serpentine Fish Rock |
USA / Arizona |
|
Serpentine Frog Stone |
USA / Arizona |
|
Serpentine Green Stripped |
USA / Arizona |
|
Silver Leaf Agate |
South Africa |
|
Sleeping Beauty Turquoise |
USA / Arizona |
|
Snowflake Obsidian |
USA / Nevada |
|
Sodalite |
Brazil |
|
Spiney Oyster |
Mexico |
|
Stinich Turquoise |
USA / Nevada |
|
Sugilite |
South Africa |
|
Thunder Mountain |
Mexico |
|
Tiger’s Eye |
South Africa |
|
Tufa |
USA |
|
Turquoise Mountain |
USA / AZ |
|
Unakite |
South Africa |
|
Varacite |
USA |
|
Volute |
Philippines |
|
White Buffalo |
USA / Nevada |
|
White Clam |
USA |
|
White Marble |
USA |
|
Whiteolite |
South Africa |
|
Wild Horse |
USA / Arizona |
|
Wood Grain Obsidian |
USA / Nevada |
|
Xiniany Purple |
China |
|
Zebra Agate |
USA / Arizona |
|
Zinite |
South Africa |
|
Many people are surprised to learn that only about 25% of turquoise is usable or
desirable in its natural, untreated form. Most untreated turquoise is a fragile,
porous stone with a tendency to undergo changes in color when exposed to light,
perspiration, oils, and detergents. While turquoise is hard enough to be considered
a gemstone, it is comparatively soft. The following are various treatments done
to turquoise to keep it from fading or crumbling.
Natural
Material which has not been altered in any way from how it is found in nature.
Enhanced
A hard turquoise which is treated with varying electrical currents that harden the
stone, and enhance the color of the turquoise. No dyes, resins, waxes, or oils are
used. Enhanced turquoise will not change color over time.
Stabilized
Impregnated with acrylic or epoxy to harden the stone and enhance the color. Stabilized
turquoise will not change color over time.
Compressed
A treatment that uses pressure to harden the stone.
Fracture-Sealed
The stone is treated with a fracture sealer which hardens the matrix in it.
Synthetic
Stones produced in the laboratory, which exactly reproduces the chemical composition
and physical characteristics of the natural stone.
Lab-Grown
Artificially made substances which have all the same physical properties and chemical
composition of the naturally found substance.
Imitation
Any compound or mineral which is manufactured to resemble the natural product.
|
A micrometer or dial caliper is used to measure bead size. Some beads are measured
in millimeters and some with size numbers. To size a bead, measure across the widest
point on the outside of the bead.
Beads are sold by weight, the strand, or the piece. Most strands are 16” long, though
this can vary.
|
|
|
Strand Length |
|
Bead |
1" |
7" |
16" |
18" |
24" |
|
2mm |
12.50 |
87.50 |
200.00 |
225.00 |
300.00 |
|
3mm |
8.25
|
58.00 |
132.00 |
148.00 |
200.00 |
|
4mm |
6.25
|
44.00 |
100.00 |
113.00 |
153.00 |
|
5mm |
5.00
|
36.00 |
82.00 |
92.00 |
124.00 |
|
6mm |
4.25 |
29.00 |
68.00 |
76.00 |
100.00 |
|
8mm |
3.25 |
22.00 |
51.00 |
57.00 |
76.00 |
|
10mm |
2.50 |
18.00 |
40.00 |
45.00 |
61.00 |
|
12mm |
2.00 |
15.00 |
34.00 |
38.00 |
50.00 |
|
14mm |
1.75 |
12.25 |
28.00 |
31.50
|
42.00 |
|
16mm |
1.50 |
10.50 |
24.00 |
27.00 |
36.00 |
|
18mm |
1.25 |
8.75 |
20.00 |
22.50 |
30.00 |
|
|
Bead Size |
Beads/Inch |
Beads/Gram |
Approx. Weight (g)
of 12-strand hank |
|
16 |
28 |
275-325 |
22.5 |
|
14 |
25 |
250-300 |
22.00 |
|
13 |
24 |
150-200 |
33.0 |
|
12 |
21 |
125-175 |
33.5 |
|
11 |
18 |
100-150 |
34.5 |
|
10 |
16 |
75-125 |
38.5 |
|
9 |
12 |
50-100 |
38.5 |
|
Grade seed beads by sorting them by width. Use the slightly narrower beads for off-loom
weaving increases (effectively adding a partial bead), the wider beads for weaving
decreases (decreasing by less than a full bead). Though separating your beads takes
a bit more time, you’ll find that your pieces will lie flatter if you do.
|
Generally, use the largest diameter wire that will comfortably pass through your
smallest bead hole. If you can pass a wire through a hole twice, you probably need
to use a bigger wire. Allow spacing between your beads to reduce abrasion, and account
for the weight of your beads when deciding wire diameter. Heavier beads need thicker
wire. Beadalon® comes in 49, 19, and 7 strand wires and each wire comes in various
widths. The more strands in a wire, the more flexible and kink resistant it is.
|
Diameter |
Recommended Wire Uses |
|
0.10" |
Good for bead weaving, Peyote Stitch, and small beads. |
|
0.12"/0.13" |
Good for Austrian crystals, seed beads, and freshwater pearls. |
|
0.15"/0.18" |
Most versatile sizes. Use with medium to heavy glass, metal, ceramic, and stone
beads. |
|
0.20"/0.21" |
Use with metal, large, or heavy beads with medium to large drill holes such as garnet,
crystal, and glass. |
|
0.24"/0.26" |
Good for metal, large, or heavy beads with large drill holes such as African trade
beads. |
|
Thread Heaven is a thread conditioner and protectant which prevents tangling and
fraying. It reduces hand fatique by adding a thin, even slick coating to the thread
to reduce drag. To use it, press your thread into the product and then drag the
thread across it. Pull your thread through your fingers to remove excess. Thread
Heaven may be used instead of beeswax products for more controlled consistency.
It’s useful in beading as well as quilting, applique, embroidery, cross stitch,
hand and machine sewing. It can be used with any kind of fabric or thread, including
metallic threads.
|
Cord Glossary
The following is a list of traits of different kinds of cord you can use in your
projects. They can be found on. Always use the strongest cord possible for the job.
also known as Stretch Magic and Elasticity, is great for beading. The stretch eliminates
the need for a clasp. Available in clear and black. It ranges in diameter from .50mm,
.80mm, and 1mm, and comes on 10M, 25M, or 100M spools.
is a continuous-filament, waxed polyester cord that comes in brown and natural colors.
It is very durable and works well for heavy glass and ceramic beads. It can also
be split to make thinner cord. Available in 90yd or 125yd spools.
is black in color and good for large beads and pendants. It comes in three thicknesses:
1mm, 1.5mm, & 2mm and comes on 25yd or100 yd spools, or by the single yard.
is a fine, strong nickel chain used for stringing metal and glass beads, particularly
those with rough or sharp threading holes which might cut through the thread. It
is available in .80, .90, 1.22, or 1.50mm and is sold by the foot.
is somewhat less expensive than silk and is available in the same thicknesses as
silk. It is sold on cards with 2 meters of thread attached to a needle in black
or white.
is a waxed nylon thread most commonly available in white. It is available in A,
B, D, and F sizes. B and D are the most popular thicknesses for beadwork. Nymo can
be used for any beadwork that needs a fine yet tough thread.
will not shrink from moisture and is less likely to fray than silk. It is available
in a .015” weight and 4200yd spools.
is a versatile cord which is easily knotted. This is the best choice for stringing
delicate beads such as freshwater pearls. Silk will stretch so pre-stretching is
advised. Silk thread is sold on a card with a needle in either black or white. It
comes in #1-#8, #1 being the thinnest.
is made from 19, or 49 strands of wire braided together to be very flexible and
strong. It also kinks less and can be knotted. The nylon covered wire is available
in multiple diameters.
is a nylon covered wire of 7,19 & 49 braided strands. It is good for beads with
sharp edges that might cut into thread. It also works well for heavy beads, but
because it is wire, it won’t drape as nicely as silk or nylon thread, and it cannot
be knotted. It comes in sizes ranging from .012” to .024”. It is sold on 30ft, 100ft,
or 1000ft spools.
is strong and durable polyester, and the wax coating makes it fray-resistant. Available
in beige and mahogany brown and sold on 2oz spools of 116yds. Waxed thread is ideal
for stringing heavy beads and large jewelry components.
|
|
To go from... |
To... |
Multiply by... |
|
Carats |
Pennyweights (dwt) |
.12860 |
|
Carats |
Grams |
.20 |
|
Centimeters |
Inches |
.3937 |
|
Cubic Centimeters |
Cubic Inches |
.06102 |
|
Cubic Inches |
Cubic Centimeters |
16.39 |
|
Cubic Feet |
Cubic Centimeters |
28.32 |
|
Feet |
Centimeters |
30.48 |
|
Feet |
Meters |
.30480 |
|
Gallons |
Cubic Centimeters |
3785.00 |
|
Grams |
Carats |
5.00 |
|
Grams |
Pennyweights (dwt) |
1.5552 |
|
Grams |
Kilograms |
.001 |
|
Grams |
Milligrams |
1000.00 |
|
Grams |
Ounces, Avoirdupois |
.03527 |
|
Grams |
Ounces, Troy |
.03215 |
|
Inches |
Centimeters |
2.54 |
|
Inches |
Millimeters |
25.40 |
|
Kilograms |
Grams |
1000.00 |
|
Kilograms |
Ounces, Avoirdupois |
35.2740 |
|
Kilograms |
Ounces, Troy |
32.1507 |
|
Kilograms |
Pennyweights (dwt) |
643.014 |
|
Kilograms |
Pounds, Avoirdupois |
2.205 |
|
Liters |
Gallons |
.2642 |
|
Liters |
Quarts (liquid) |
1.057 |
|
Meters |
Feet |
3.281 |
|
Meters |
Inches |
39.37 |
|
Meters |
Yards |
1.094 |
|
Milligrams |
Grams |
.001 |
|
Milligrams |
Pennyweights (dwt) |
.00064 |
|
Millimeters |
Inches |
.03937 |
|
Ounces, Avoirdupois |
Grams |
28.35 |
|
Ounces, Avoirdupois |
Ounces, Troy |
.9115 |
|
Ounces, Avoirdupois |
Pennyweights (dwt) |
18.2291 |
|
Ounces, Troy |
Pennyweights (dwt) |
20.00 |
|
Ounces, Troy |
Kilograms |
.0311 |
|
Ounces, Troy |
Ounces, Avoirdupois |
1.0971 |
|
Ounces, Troy |
Grams |
31.1035 |
|
Ounces, Fluid |
Cubic Centimeters |
29.57 |
|
Pennyweights (dwt) |
Carats |
7.77 |
|
Pennyweights (dwt) |
Grams |
.64301 |
|
Pennyweights (dwt) |
Kilograms |
.001555 |
|
Pennyweights (dwt) |
Ounces, Avoirdupois |
.05486 |
|
Pennyweights (dwt) |
Ounces, Troy |
.05 |
|
|
Fine Silver |
.999 = 100% Pure Silver |
|
Sterling Silver |
.925 = 92.5% Silver / 7.5% Copper |
|
Coin Silver |
.900 = 90% Silver / 10% Copper |
|
Karat is a measure of the fineness of gold. 24 karat is fine gold. One karat equals
1/24 (.0417). Thus 14 karat gold is 14/24 fine gold and the balance (10/24) is alloy.
The usual alloy metals are silver, copper, and zinc. Nickel is used in white gold.
|
Karat |
Fineness |
|
10 |
.41667 |
|
12 |
.50000 |
|
14 |
.58334 |
|
24 |
1.00000 |
|
Gold-filled is made by fusing a layer of karat gold to a suitable supporting metal
(or alloy), using equipment that carefully controls heat, pressure, and time. The
bond produced is a permanent one.
Next comes a series of rolling operations, which compress the strip into a sheet.
Repeated rolling reduces the thickness of the material in such a way as to preserve
the proportionate thickness of the gold and the supporting metal. Repeated rolling
also serves to increase the density of the gold, so that it becomes harder and more
durable.
|
Gold-filled is made by fusing a layer of karat gold to a suitable supporting metal
(or alloy), using equipment that carefully controls heat, pressure, and time. The
bond produced is a permanent one.
Next comes a series of rolling operations, which compress the strip into a sheet.
Repeated rolling reduces the thickness of the material in such a way as to preserve
the proportionate thickness of the gold and the supporting metal. Repeated rolling
also serves to increase the density of the gold, so that it becomes harder and more
durable.
|
Metals |
Symbol
|
Melting Pt.
(°Farenheit) |
Specific Gravity
|
Weight
(Troy oz./cu. in.)
|
|
Aluminum |
Al |
1221 |
2.70 |
1.423 |
|
Cadmium |
Cd |
610 |
8.65 |
4.557 |
|
Chromium |
Cr |
3375 |
7.19 |
3.788 |
|
Copper |
Cu |
1948 |
8.96 |
4.721 |
|
Gold |
Au |
1945 |
19.32 |
10.179 |
|
Iron |
Fe |
2795 |
7.87 |
4.146 |
|
Lead |
Pb |
622 |
11.36 |
5.975 |
|
Nickel |
Ni |
2647 |
8.90 |
4.689 |
|
Palladium |
Pd |
2826 |
12.02 |
6.322 |
|
Platinum |
Pt |
3222 |
21.45 |
11.301 |
|
Silver |
Ag |
1763 |
10.49 |
5.527 |
|
We recommend annealing Sterling Silver at 1200°F (649°C) to give it the best ductility
and grain structure. Before annealing silver, coat the piece with boric acid and
alcohol. This flux coating will reduce oxidation and minimize cleanup. Silver should
be annealed in an oven at 1200°F for 15 minutes for 18ga (.040”), 20 minutes for
8ga. If silver annealing must be done by a torch, a good visual aid is:
Visible Red—900°F
Dull Red—1200°F
Cherry Red—1400°F
Bright Salmon Red—1600°F
Quench the Sterling Silver as soon as the redness has gone out of the metal. Otherwise,
the slow cooling will age-harden the metal.
|
To harden Sterling Silver, simply heat it to 600°F (316°C) for 30-50 minutes in
a kiln or furnace. Air cool the Sterling Silver before pickling it. The hardness
will then be equal to the hardness achieved by cold-working it to a 50% reduction
(or 3/4-hard).
|
The specific gravity of a metal or alloy is merely the weight in grams of one cubic
centimeter. When it is more convenient to work in troy weights, the number of ounces
per cubic inch of any metal or alloy may be found by multiplying its specific gravity
by the constant 0.52686. For example, the specific gravity of 14K yellow gold is
13.07. Therefore, 13.07 x 0.52686 = 6.88606. The weight of 14K yellow gold in troy
ounces per cubic inch is 6.88606.
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