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

 

Preciosa Czech Seed 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