Here are a few links that may be of interest.
Bead Societies
There are Bead Societies in most major cities, groups of beading enthusiasts who meet each month to share their passion for beads and beading of all kinds. Here are a few links to some of the ones that are in Ontario.
The Ottawa Bead Society
The Toronto Bead Society
Grand River Bead Society (Guelph)
West Toronto Beading Guild
Gem and Mineral Clubs
We participate in many Gem and Mineral Show throughout the year and most are organized by the local clubs. Here is a list of clubs in the areas we travel to.
Brantford Lapidary and Mineral Society
Club de Mineralogie de Montreal
Kawartha Rock and Fossil Club
London Gem and Mineral Society
Montreal Gem and Mineral Club
Ottawa Lapsmith and Mineral Club
Scarborough Gem and Mineral Club
Sudbury Gem and Mineral Club
Birthstones
Below we have a list of traditional and modern birthstones. Some are hyperlinked to where you can find them in our online catalogue.
Month | Modern | Traditional |
January | Garnet | Garnet |
February | Amethyst | Amethyst |
March | Aquamarine | Bloodstone |
April | Diamond | Diamond or Crystal |
May | Emerald | Emerald |
June | Pearl or Moonstone | Pearl, Moonstone or Alexandrite |
July | Ruby | Ruby |
August | Peridot | Sardonyx |
September | Sapphire | Sapphire |
October | Opal or Tourmaline | Tourmaline |
November | Yellow topaz or Citrine | Citrine |
December | Blue Topaz, Turquoise, Tanzanite | Zircon, Turquoise, Lapis Lazuli |
Quantity of beads by size
Toho Seed Beads - sold in tubes
6/0 | 20 grams | 310 beads |
8/0 | 20 grams | 750 beads |
11/0 | 10 grams | 1090 beads |
15/0 | 5 grams | 1265 beads |
Treasures 11/0 (cylinder) | 5 grams | 1000 beads |
Aiko 11/0 (cylinder) | 5 grams | 1000 beads |
1.5mm cubes | 10 grams | 1072 beads |
2mm cubes | 10 grams | 460 beads |
33/0 | 25 grams | 54 beads |
2/0 | 50 grams | 250 beads |
6/0 | 50 grams | 600 beads |
8/0 | 20 grams | 870 beads |
10/0 hanks | 40-45 grams | 3500 beads |
#2 Bugles | 10 grams | 465 beads |
30mm Bugles | 25 grams | 90 beads |
Gemstone Beads per strand - standard length is 15.5"
3mm | 133 beads |
4mm | 100 beads |
6mm | 66 beads |
8mm | 50 beads |
10mm | 40 beads |
12mm | 33 beads |
Chip strands 34-36" | 290-565 beads |
*Note that Chip strands have a large variety as there are different sizes of chips on the strands. Some are all small beads (ex. Moonstone, Peridot and Tanzanite) and there are some strands that are mostly larger beads (ex. Jaspers, Quartz and Agate).
Standard lengths