Gemstone Bead Finishes — Glossy, Matte, Semi-Matte, and Rough

1. Gemstone Bead Finishes — Glossy, Matte, Semi-Matte, and Rough The beautifully shaped gemstones used in beading and jewelry start as rough-looking stones. Have you ever wondered how they go from rough-looking rocks to gorgeous gems? The process is called gem-cutting or lapidary,and the many different phases bring out the unique characteristics and qualities of the gemstone. This procedure also dictates the finish of the gemstone. We thought it would be interesting to explore the different gemstone bead finishes and share what we discovered. Gemstone beads can have four basic finishes —glossy, matte, semi-matte, and rough. Glossy- gemstone beads with a glossy finish have been polished, so their surface is shiny and reflects light giving them a high luster. Matte- beads with a matte surface have a subdued look. The bead surface is either left dull or made to look dull after being polished. Semi-Matte- these gemstones have a surface that is not quite glossy and not quite matte. Rough- gemstones left in their natural state are called rough, raw, or uncut. The process starts with cutting the rough gem to the desired size using tools designed for precise cuts. Next, the stone is ground until it more closely matches the final shape; this part of the process is called grinding. Sanding, which smooths over the surface of the stone, and lapping flattens the surface and creates facets, and the final step, polishing, brings the gemstone’s surface to a glossy finish. Gemstones attract a lot of attention — we find shiny, colorful objects visually intriguing, and processed gemstones have been revered fin jewelry, decorative objects, and ceremonial and religious items for millennia. Not only do different kinds of gemstones, but also their different surfaces allow for a great deal of artistic creativity. Glossy gemstones are always popular with bling and pop; they have always rocked. Many gemstones look great in their rough state, and you see a lot of jewelry and beading designs made from gorgeous chunks of raw crystal. Matte gemstone beadshave recently been taking center stage; creators love the subdued, organic look that goes well with natural stringing materials like leather and ribbon. Semi-matte beads are yet another option that designers have been drawn to for their soft glow. So, if you are now wondering where you can purchase your glossy, semi-matte, rough, or matte gemstone beads wholesale, hop on the American Bead Corporation site and have a look at our extensive collection of gemstone beads. You’ll be surprised — we have so many beads of all shapes, sizes, colors, and finishes, and our entire gemstone selection is available at competitive wholesale pricing.