One of the oldest types of necklace is a beaded design. Beads can be made of anything – bone, wood, stone, glass, shells, metal, ceramic, resin, clay, plastic, crystal or even gemstones. Some beads, such as Cloisonné beads, are embellished with intricate designs in paint or enamel. Others are varnished, dyed, or polished – but some are used au naturale. Because of the sheer variety of bead shapes, sizes, colours and styles, beaded necklaces are one of the most versatile pieces of jewellery you can buy online.
Suiting nearly any budget, beaded jewellery is easy to find online – the trick is finding something that suits the wearer’s taste. Perhaps the best place to start is by deciding what colour or material would best fit with the wearer’s wardrobe. Beaded jewellery is often made by independent craftspeople, but sometimes it is machine-made – and particularly where imported beaded jewellery is concerned, you might want to seek out organisations offering fair trade beaded necklaces. It is an easy way to ensure no children were forced to make the piece you’re buying, and a convenient means of giving directly to people in the developing economies around the world.
Because the majority of beaded necklaces are made by hand, it is fairly easy to adjust them for length after purchase – but more ornate pieces are difficult to alter, and if you attempt to restring a beaded necklace, you may be disappointed with the result. To avoid disappointment, be sure you get an accurate neck measurement for the wearer in order to purchase something suitable.
Also, as with any online purchase, ask the merchant about their return and refund policy so you know what to do if your choice of beaded necklace doesn’t match the wearer’s taste as well as you’d hoped. If you’re buying a beaded necklace made from gemstones, pearls or any other precious material, be sure to get a clear statement of quality and a guarantee from the online jeweller you’re using.
© Jewellery Box.org.uk 2006.
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