Fun with Cubic Zirconia beads from Art Beads

Had time to myself this morning before work and played more with the CZ crystals I got from Art Beads. I got in touch with my conservative side a bit, which I admit rarely happens. It is there for a reason. It keeps me from wearing combat boots and flame tights to weddings or a suit coat with my pajama bottoms to work.

Although I love to express myself, and know that my idea of fashion sense is really fashion nonsense, I will take a more conservative approach to some designs. That is what I did with this do-oh. These crystals are fun enough to go with any design, and they are elegant enough to be combined in a piece that is stunning in it's simplicity. I loved these little faceted beauties. The way they catch the light, and flash they are perfect for earrings. Saying that I made some earrings!!


Hand wound on silver plated wire, I used these beads for the earrings.
CZ-BOR-REC10 - 8x10mm Burnt Orange CZ Rectangle *
CZ-CRY-CN6 - 6mm Crystal CZ Coin *
You can make this set for under $7.00

Adding sterling daisy spacers and glass pearls does so much. I really feel you can let the CZ crystal do all the talking. They set off the design so well.



Graduating the sizes of the glass pearls gives a fun flow to this bracelet. Adding the daisy spacers lets you focus on each bead in the design. I used these crystals for this bracelet.

CZ-BOR-OV9 - 7x9mm Burnt Orange CZ Oval *
CZ-CRY-CN6 - 6mm Crystal CZ Coin *
CZ-BOR-REC10 - 8x10mm Burnt Orange CZ Rectangle *
You can make this bracelet for under $ 14.00

So affordable for the product you are getting. Make yourself a timeless piece, or a funky design either way, you can't go wrong with these Cubic Zirconia crystals!

*FTC compliance disclosure: the '*' items mentioned in this post credited to Art Beads were provided as a promotional gift as part of the Blogging for Beaders Program. These items are for review or design purposes.

Fun with Art Beads - Cubic Zirconia

Back in November I posted about the beautiful Cubic Zirconia's I received as part of the blogging for beaders group from Art Beads.

















CZ-BOR-OV9 - 7x9mm Burnt Orange CZ Oval *
CZ-BOR-REC10 - 8x10mm Burnt Orange CZ Rectangle *
CZ-CRY-CN6 - 6mm Crystal CZ Coin *
CZ-YEL6 - 6mm Yellow CZ Round Bead *

Over the weekend I got some time for myself and played around with an idea I have had in my head.

I made a loop out of 14 ga sterling and hammered the loop to give it texture and strength. Then I used a 28 ga. silver plated wire to wrap the portion of the loop where the ends meet to hide ends and to give it a focus. In the wrap I added one of the CZ beads to draw you eye to it.

I made wire coils and put them on the ends of a piece of leather to use as the connecting point for the design. I made wire wrapped loops and attached the hammered piece to the coil connectors and added the yellow CZ's. Next I added a bit of chain using jump rings to the wire wrapped loop and then created charms from the other CZ's and here you have it!







*FTC compliance disclosure: the '*' items mentioned in this post credited to Art Beads were provided as a promotional gift as part of the Blogging for Beaders Program. These items are for review or design purposes.

Cubic Zirconias from ArtBeads

I got a beautiful selection of cubic zirconia beads from Art Beads over the weekend. Rich and warm in color, these are truly amazing.













CZ-BOR-OV9 - 7x9mm Burnt Orange CZ Oval *
CZ-BOR-REC10 - 8x10mm Burnt Orange CZ Rectangle *
CZ-CRY-CN6 - 6mm Crystal CZ Coin *
CZ-YEL6 - 6mm Yellow CZ Round Bead *



I had never worked with CZ's before and did a bit of research on them to share with you.

What is a cubic zirconia? Cubic zirconia is a man-made, synthetic stone used as an inexpensive alternative to a diamond or other colored gemstone.

Is a CZ the same as Zircon? No. Zircon is not to be confused with cubic zirconia. Zircon is a natural occurring gem, not man made. It is a zirconium silicate (ZrSiO4) and cubic zirconia (or CZ) is the cubic crystalline form of zirconium dioxide (ZrO2).

Cubic zirconia beads are delicate, and it is advise the utmost care be taken when working with them. To keep their polish at an optimum, it is best to treat them gently taking care of possible wear and tear when a piece is being worn by teaming it with non abrasive beads to prevent scratching. I did notice there are a few small nicks on the beads that I have, and I am guessing it is from rolling about with the other beads in the packaging. A nice soft cotton cloth for polishing finished designs is a good way to bring up their shine and when possible the use of cotton gloves when working with them will also prevent dulling their finish.

When I think of a CZ, I immediately think of a diamond. I did not know they came in so many different colors. Metal oxides are added to the CZ manufacturing process to create the different colors. Here are a few examples of what metals are used to create different colors.

Cerium: yellow, orange. red
Chromium: green
Neodymium: purple
Erbium: pink
Titanium: golden brown

These beads are heavier than Swarovski or Czech glass beads, and more expensive. Depending on what you are wanting to make, you can use the CZ's as an accent or have an exquisite piece of just CZ's, the choices are endless!

Thank you Art Beads for giving me the chance to work with such beautiful beads!

*FTC compliance disclosure: the '*' items mentioned in this post credited to Art Beads were provided as a promotional gift as part of the Blogging for Beaders Program. These items are for review or design purposes.