Silky Oriental Abalone Grey PearlsThese unusual pearls are all 6mm. Price is per 15 inch string. The least expensive cultured pearls today rival the most expensive natural pearls ever found. Natural freshwater pearls occur in mussels for the same reason saltwater pearls occur in oysters. Foreign material inside a mussel can't be expelled. To reduce irritation, the mollusk coats the intruder with the same secretion it uses for shell building, nacre. To cultivate a pearl, farmers slit

making you feel more comfortable

In this culture

Different colours are caused by iron oxide or limonite crystals carried by water seeping into the cavity

Today jade continues to be a symbol of love

Bead size: 16mm x 6mm - about 25 buttons to the strand

it's from the feldspar group of minerals

Healers of times gone by suggest this stone could help dream inspiration if placed under the pillow at night

Fire agate has a translucent deep reddish-brown base

Price is per 15-inch string of these beautiful beads - ready for stringing

Persian amber has become fashionable in Arab states

This is what determines the stone multicolour

Each bead measures about 18mm x 14mm x 5mm