Beads Talk

Do you believe that the extraordinarily popular article 5301 Bicone will be discontinued?

Wait! Do not panic!

It’s a great news instead.

CRYSTALLIZED™ – Swarovski Elements introduces the new 5328 Xilion bicone bead, which will be replacing the discontinued 5301 bicone bead. The 5301 and 5328 bicone beads are designed to be used interchangeably, as their dimensions and geometry are complimentary.

CRYSTALLIZED™ – Swarovski Elements Xilion Bicone Bead — Article No. 5328

VS

The new 5328 XILION bead, which will replace the 5301, boasts of the revolutionary XILION cut. The XILION cut and hence the upcoming 5328, are copyright protected. It promises a distinctively higher brilliance, more fire and greater light reflection with its alternating large and smaller facets.

The increased number of facets promises an overall enhancement while the rounder belt line will result in improved and longer wearing comfort of finished projects.

We still have not receive the new Xilion Bicone beads, the above pictures were taken from Bead&Button’s forum.

Which Colours and Sizes of 5301 will be upgraded to 5328?

Only the 5301 bicone 2.5mm will remain the same. It is too small to be upgraded. Swarovski promises that the new 5328 will be available, with no price increase, in the same assortment of colours and sizes as the 5301.

Transition Period

The transition period will run from June through September 2009 (may be longer) and that this will be a global transition. However, it all depends on Swarovski HQ local stock availability. Therefore you might be getting Xilion Bicone 5328 even if you ordered Bicone 5301. To avoid confusion, let’s just treat 5328 and 5301 as the same during this transition period alright? Please bear with us.

Will the 5301s become collectors’ items and hence more valuable?

There is nothing to prevent that from being so. From season to season, Swarovski discontinues certain colours, shapes, and effects. Some of these have indeed gone on to become valuable collectors’ items due to their increasing rarity, e.g: Swarovski Cone Shape 5400, which is used to make a figurine angel is so rare now. We were lucky enough to stock few original packs before they were discontinued. With the 5301s, that might not be so immediately as they were so popular and hence many people still have so many of them. If you like to keep the Bicone 5301, you may consider to keep this Beads Strings + Color Cart that strung with 128 pcs of popular colors Bicone 5301 (64 colors, 2 pcs each).

We will most definitely be getting the 5328s as soon as they become available to Swarovski Malaysia. We will keep you updated.

My Dua Puluh Sen

There’re some discussion in the forum commented that the introduction of new Xilion Bicone is due to the reason that there are too many imitators trying to imitate the Swarovski Bicone beads. This is not true actually. I have no idea who has invented the Bicone beads. But I believe it existed long long time ago (probably before Swarovski). As far as patent protected is concern, there is actually a definite number of years of protection (I can’t remember how many years, may be 10? 50? Anyone knows?).

With the new introduction of Xilion Bicone, I believe the large scale crystal manufacturers like PRECIOSA dare not to copy the patent by law. However, the law may not be applicable to smaller scale crystal manufacturers. Well, I also don’t think that they are capable of copying due to lack of technology.

One of our most frequent received question is: Are you selling “Genuine” Swarovski Beads? In future, we can easily tell our customers how to differentiate Swarovski from the “Others”, without having to use a zoom lens or magnifier. You might be interested with this post: Genuine Vs Fake Swarovski Beads.

Conclusion: Swarovski Bicone 5301s have accompanied us, beaders, for quite some time. I will certainly miss them in future. How about you? Mind to share your thoughts with us?

The Miniatures Products are available exclusively through Online Purchase Only. You may not be able to view these products in our Store.

Below are 1st batch of our latest 3D miniatures products, snapped beside a 10 cents coin.

Bathroom:

Toothbrushes set & bath towel rack set.

Books & Stationery:

Set of books made with wood, 3 books made with paper and Pencils & ruler set.

Cats & Dogs:

Playing & sleeping cat.

Beagle, Chiwawa and Cocker Spaniel.

Ceramic:

Green plate & painted bowl.

Chinese pot & large rose pot.

Clocks:

Round metal pink clock and octagonal wooden wall clock with short pendulum.

Short Cuckoo and gold carved clock.

Food & Beverages:

QQ rainbow candy tank and fruit candy tank.

Bowl whisk eggs and noodles pot with spoon.

Strawberry and bottle milk in basket.

For Baby:

Pink doll & red rocking horse.

For Men:

Blue shirt with red tie and silver briefcase.

For Women:

Black and white model stand.

Copper model stand.

Glassware:

Kitchenware:

Lamps and Living Room:

Red phone and red table lamp.

Mirror:

Gold rectangular mirror and gold oval mirror.

Hope you like our miniatures products!

In the past, some clients approched us had mistaken that Sterling Silver do not tarnish. The fact is, Sterling silver tarnishes simply by being in contact with the air.

Pure silver, also called fine silver, is defined as 99.9% pure silver is, like gold, impervious to tarnish, or oxidation on the surface. However, pure silver is too soft for most uses.

Sterling silver is an alloy of silver containing 92.5% by weight of silver and 7.5% by weight of other metals, usually copper. The addition of the less costly metal – often called a base metal – serves to harden the resulting alloy so that the metal can be cast into shapes that it will retain with use.

CARE

Base Metal Findings do not last a lifetime. However, with proper care, your sterling silver will last a lifetime. To minimize tarnish, scratches and other damage, store your silver jewelry either in a cloth pouch or in a zip lock bag. Avoid exposing your silver to household chemicals when cleaning with bleach or ammonia, or when swimming in chlorinated water, as these chemicals can damage silver.

CLEAN YOUR SILVER REGULARLY

Care should also be taken to prevent silver tarnish build-up, a dulling that naturally occurs when silver reacts with sulfur or hydrogen sulfide in the ambient air. To clean your silver, use polishes formulated specifically to remove tarnish. You can find fine silver polishes, solutions, or cloths appropriate to remove tarnish at most hardware stores or specialty craft stores. Tarnish is most easily removed when it first becomes visible.

Although wearing your silver jewelry often is the best way to prevent tarnish from building up, regular cleanings of all your silver items will prevent tarnish and keep your silver bright and sparkling.

Below are our new collection of Sterling Silver Findings:

Left: Sterling Silver French Ear Wire, Ball & Spring Style, 19×18mm (WxH), 21 Gauge.

Right: Sterling Silver French Ear Wire, Dapped & Spring Style, 15×16mm (WxH), 22 Gauge.

Left: Sterling Silver French Ear Wire, Ball Style, 16×18mm (WxH), 21 Gauge.

Right: Sterling Silver Ear Wire, Kidney Style, 11×18mm (WxH), 22 Gauge.

Sterling Silver 3mm Ball Post with Ring & Earring Back, 15×6.5mm (WxH), 18 Gauge.

Sterling Silver Ear String with Ring, Box Chain, 3 inch (75mm).

Left: Sterling Silver Link, Round & Square with 5 Rings, 14.5×18.5mm (WxH).

Right: Sterling Silver Link, Tear Drop with 3 Rings, 11×23mm (WxH).

Create exquisite chandelier earring with these lovely links. Add appeal and movement to necklaces. Combine with wire-wrapped beads to create intriguing necklaces and earrings. You may also use links as spacers for multi-strand necklaces or bracelets, creating a unique and versatile design.

Sterling Silver Head Pin with 1.6mm Ball – 17×0.6mm, 22×0.5mm and 22×0.6mm (from top to bottom).

Use Head Pins and Eye Pins for making earrings, or drops for necklaces and bracelets. Head Pins with Ball are much more elegant look than normal Flat Head Head Pin. The 0.5mm Head Pins are great for beads with small holes such as fresh water pearls. 0.5mm Head Pins are also lighter than 0.6mm Head Pins. Hence, they are cheaper.

Sterling Silver Tag, 4×8.5mm.

Fasten Lobster Clasps or Spring Ring Clasps to Tags – just attach them to your strand with Jump Rings or Split Rings.

Sterling Silver Jump Rings – 3×0.7mm and 4×0.5mm (from top to bottom).

Sterling Silver Ready-to-Wear Cable Chain, 1.5mm x 42cm (WxL), with Spring Ring Clasp and Tag.

Unfortunately, we don’t carry 1.5mm bulk cable chain. If you like, you may cut and use it as dangling chain. Please take not it only allow the Jump Ring 4×0.5mm to pass through the chain hole.

Alternatively, just connect 3mm Jump Rings together to create a chain. Got it?

Good News!

We found a new supplier for Sterling Silver Findings. They offered us good price, but on the other hand, we have to commit them Bulk Order (M.O.Q 3 Kgs / 100 Troy Ounce in single order). Therefore we would like to transfer the saving to you with the hope that you will use the good quality sterling silver findings for your beadwork. All new Sterling Silver Findings are based on new pricing and we have slashed the price for our existing Silver products, i.e:

1) 24 Gauge Wire 4 meters: Old Price RM38.00     New Price: RM34.00

2) 2.5mm Balls 10 pcs: Old Price: RM2.50        New Price: RM2.30

3) 2.5mm Balls 100 pcs: Old Price: RM22.00        New Price: RM20.00

4) 3mm Balls 10 pcs: Old Price: RM2.80        New Price: RM2.50

5) 3mm Balls 100 pcs: Old Price: RM25.00        New Price: RM22.00

6) 9mm Lobster Clasps 5 pcs: Old Price: RM12.00     New Price: RM10.00

7) 9mm Lobster Clasps 25 pcs: Old Price: RM50.00     New Price: RM45.00

Spring Ring Clasps 5 pcs: Old Price: RM6.00     New Price: RM5.00

9) Spring Ring Clasps 50 pcs: Old Price: RM50.00     New Price: RM40.00

Note: The above pricing is based on Raw Silver Market Price at USD15.62/troy ounce, dated 23rd May 2009. Sterling Silver price may vary accordingly to the Raw Silver Price Market Price.

Visit our online store for Sterling Silver Products Here: Sterling Silver

Let’s see what we have for part II Mat Salleh’s Favorite Products.

Nymo Thread in small bobbin – A parallel multifilament thread was one of the earliest and is still one of the most popular beadweaving threads in US & Europe. In Asia, we normally use the monofilament thread, a.k.a fishing thread (or tali tangsi in malay). Nymo thread is much stronger and lasting than the thread that we normally use. However, Nymo tends to fray, therefore it is advisible to wax it before using or use it together with beading needle.

Nymo comes in sizes ranging from 000 (the thinnest) to 0 and A to FF (the largest). The most popular sizes are size B (~0.25mm) & D (~0.3mm). It also comes in 18 colors in sizes B & D. The best part of it is, they are inexpensive!

Thing-A-Ma Jig – If you don’t know how to pronounce it, just call it “Think-Ur-Mum” Jig… LOL!!!! Basically, it is an inexpensive version of Wig Jig Olympus Lite (~ 1/3 price) . It is also cheaper than our previous version of Wire Writer and Jewelry Jig System because it doesn’t include a Wire Writer. Anyway, I don’t think you will need a Wire Writer. I still don’t know how to use it up to date.

Read the rest of this entry »

Just thinking of the Art Déco District brings to mind iconic images of futuristic 60’s and the stars relaxing under palm trees. Add a touch of jetsetglamour wearing white sunglasses with pieces of crystal by CREATE your STYLE™ with CRYSTALLIZED™ – Swarovski Elements. The black and white sunglass-chain turns into the most astonishing accessory serving as a piece of versatile jewellery. Worn short in length of a collier or long as a pendant chain the ring clasp attached carries the sunglasses – ready to hide your eyes.

Just consider clutching a handbag personalised with a sparkling bunch of boldly linked crystal rings and Pendants by CRYSTALLIZED™ – Swarovski Elements in fresh Miami South Beach inspired colour combinations. Sun-kissed powder gives your skin a sheer, natural look. With the crystallized powder-case in minimalist square look you make beauty your own. The decoration technique is as simple as effective adding effortless classic chic to everyday use.

Summer is the time to reveal glorious opulence. The nowhere-to-hide Summer Grace Charm-bracelet by CREATE your STYLE™ with CRYSTALLIZED™ – Swarovski Elements is the perfect companion to flatter your look and enhance the grace of your arm movement. Big Sew-on Stones in white and silver shade are aligned to a streamlined graphical structure. The attached dangling bows of jumpring-chain with a dense trimming of small pendants drop down like little water drops in accentuated mint and rose. Embrace the joyful splendour of summertime.

Step-by-step 2D Diagram available for this project: SPARKLING HOLIDAY

FREE DOWNLOAD (right click and save target as): Swarovski Inspirational Guide August 2007 – Feel The Jetset Glamour

CONDITIONS OF USE:

The Swarovski Inspirational Guide is especially designed for Swarovski Create-Your-Style Partner like Beading.com.my to organise Jewelry making workshop and to use it as part of the marketing tools. You are only allowed to use it for personal use and may NOT distribute it (for free), sell it, bundle with your products or use for jewelry making workshop.