16-Inch Gemstones
The 16-inch strand is the industry standard—and no one stocks more of them than Dakota Stones. Browse more than 200 stone types across every color and pattern, from everyday staples like Amethyst and Jasper to collector favorites such as Red Garnet and rare Turquoise mine-runs. Because the strands measure a full 15 – 16 inches, you get enough beads for matching earring pairs, stretch bracelets, or a necklace focal and still have extras for accents.
Need to drill down fast? Use the filter bar to sort by Stone Type when you know the gem you want, or by Color when you’re building a palette first. Shapes range from classic rounds and rondelles to cubes, heishi, chips, and rare designer cuts—each strand calibrated for even sizing and smooth stringing.
Whether you’re a hobbyist replenishing a bead board or a pro assembling a full production run, this category is the workhorse of our catalog: reliable lengths, vast variety, and new additions arriving every month. Dive in, filter your way to the perfect strand, and keep your design queue flowing with Dakota Stones’ biggest collection.
Iolite 6mm Tear Drop Faceted - 15-16 Inch
Original price
$29.00
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$29.00
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$29.00
$29.00
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$29.00
Iolite most commonly occurs in shades of blue to gray, violet or indigo. It displays a visual property called “pleochroism,” which means that it ca...
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$29.00
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$29.00
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$29.00
$29.00
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$29.00
Iolite 7mm Cube Table Cut Bead - 15-16 Inch - CLEARANCE
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$50.00
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$50.00
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$50.00
$50.00
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$50.00
Iolite most commonly occurs in shades of blue to gray, violet or indigo. It displays a visual property called “pleochroism,” which means that it ca...
View full details
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$50.00
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$50.00
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$50.00
$50.00
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$50.00
Iolite 8mm Bicone Faceted - 15-16 Inch
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$36.00
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$36.00
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$36.00
$36.00
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$36.00
Iolite most commonly occurs in shades of blue to gray, violet or indigo. It displays a visual property called “pleochroism,” which means that it ca...
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$36.00
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$36.00
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$36.00
$36.00
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$36.00
Iolite 8mm Coin Faceted - 15-16 Inch
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$34.00
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$34.00
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$34.00
$34.00
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$34.00
Iolite most commonly occurs in shades of blue to gray, violet or indigo. It displays a visual property called “pleochroism,” which means that it ca...
View full details
Original price
$34.00
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$34.00
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$34.00
$34.00
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$34.00
Iolite 8mm Double Heart Faceted - 15-16 Inch
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$34.00
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$34.00
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$34.00
$34.00
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$34.00
Iolite most commonly occurs in shades of blue to gray, violet or indigo. It displays a visual property called “pleochroism,” which means that it ca...
View full details
Original price
$34.00
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$34.00
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$34.00
$34.00
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$34.00
Iolite Faceted 10mm Energy Prism - 15-16 Inch
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$36.00
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$36.00
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$36.00
$36.00
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$36.00
Iolite most commonly occurs in shades of blue to gray, violet or indigo. It displays a visual property called “pleochroism,” which means that it ca...
View full details
Original price
$36.00
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$36.00
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$36.00
$36.00
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$36.00
Iolite Faceted 4mm Round - 15-16 Inch
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$19.00
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$19.00
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$19.00
$19.00
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$19.00
Iolite most commonly occurs in shades of blue to gray, violet or indigo. It displays a visual property called “pleochroism,” which means that it ca...
View full details
Original price
$19.00
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$19.00
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$19.00
$19.00
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$19.00
Iolite 10mm Faceted Round - 15-16 Inch - CLEARANCE
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$30.00
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$30.00
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$30.00
$30.00
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$30.00
Iolite most commonly occurs in shades of blue to gray, violet or indigo. It displays a visual property called “pleochroism,” which means that it ca...
View full details
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$30.00
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$30.00
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$30.00
$30.00
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$30.00
K2 10mm Round - 15-16 Inch
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$204.00
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$204.00
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$204.00
$204.00
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$204.00
K2 is a stone recently discovered in the foothills of the mountain for which it is named, K2, in the Karakoram mountain range of Pakistan. It is a ...
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$204.00
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$204.00
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$204.00
$204.00
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$204.00
K2 12mm Round - 15-16 Inch
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$296.00
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$296.00
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$296.00
$296.00
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$296.00
K2 is a stone recently discovered in the foothills of the mountain for which it is named, K2, in the Karakoram mountain range of Pakistan. It is a ...
View full details
Original price
$296.00
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$296.00
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$296.00
$296.00
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$296.00
K2 Rough Tumble 5x7-8x10mm Nugget - 15-16 Inch
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$45.00
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$45.00
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$45.00
$45.00
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$45.00
K2 is a stone recently discovered in the foothills of the mountain for which it is named, K2, in the Karakoram mountain range of Pakistan. It is a ...
View full details
Original price
$45.00
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Original price
$45.00
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$45.00
$45.00
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$45.00
Lapis 10mm Round Faceted - 15-16 Inch - CLEARANCE
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$45.00
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$45.00
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$45.00
$45.00
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$45.00
Lapis is a semi to precious stone and one of the most sought after throughout history. It is highly regarded for its beautiful blue color flecked w...
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$45.00
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$45.00
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$45.00
$45.00
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$45.00
Lapis 2mm Round 15-16 Inch
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$22.00
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$22.00
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$22.00
$22.00
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$22.00
Lapis is a semi-precious stone and one of the most sought after throughout history. It is highly regarded for its beautiful blue color flecked with...
View full details
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$22.00
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$22.00
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$22.00
$22.00
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$22.00
Lapis 4mm Faceted Coin 15-16 Inch
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$26.00
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$26.00
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$26.00
$26.00
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$26.00
Lapis is a semi-precious stone and one of the most sought after throughout history. It is highly regarded for its beautiful blue color flecked with...
View full details
Original price
$26.00
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$26.00
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$26.00
$26.00
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$26.00
Lapis 4mm Lantern Faceted A Grade - 15-16 Inch
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$27.00
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$27.00
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$27.00
$27.00
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$27.00
Lapis is a semi to precious stone and one of the most sought after throughout history. It is highly regarded for its beautiful blue color flecked w...
View full details
Original price
$27.00
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$27.00
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$27.00
$27.00
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$27.00
Lapis 4mm Round - 15-16 inch
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$24.00
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$24.00
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$24.00
$24.00
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$24.00
Lapis is a semi-precious stone and one of the most sought after throughout history. It is highly regarded for its beautiful blue color flecked with...
View full details
Original price
$24.00
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Original price
$24.00
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$24.00
$24.00
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$24.00
Lapis 6mm Natural Energy Prism Faceted - 15-16 Inch
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$30.00
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$30.00
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$30.00
$30.00
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$30.00
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$30.00
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$30.00
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$30.00
$30.00
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$30.00
Lapis 4x6mm Rondelle Faceted AA Grade - 15-16 Inch
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$37.00
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$37.00
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$37.00
$37.00
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$37.00
Lapis is a semi to precious stone and one of the most sought after throughout history. It is highly regarded for its beautiful blue color flecked w...
View full details
Original price
$37.00
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$37.00
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$37.00
$37.00
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$37.00
Lapis 6x8mm Tri Cut Faceted Rondelle A Grade - 15-16 Inch
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$43.00
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$43.00
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$43.00
$43.00
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$43.00
Lapis is a semi to precious stone and one of the most sought after throughout history. It is highly regarded for its beautiful blue color flecked w...
View full details
Original price
$43.00
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Original price
$43.00
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$43.00
$43.00
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$43.00
Lapis 7mm Cube Table Cut Bead - 15-16 Inch
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$43.00
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$43.00
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$43.00
$43.00
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$43.00
Lapis is a semi to precious stone and one of the most sought after throughout history. It is highly regarded for its beautiful blue color flecked w...
View full details
Original price
$43.00
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Original price
$43.00
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$43.00
$43.00
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$43.00
Lapis 8mm Coin Faceted - 15-16 Inch
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$34.00
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$34.00
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$34.00
$34.00
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$34.00
Lapis is a semi to precious stone and one of the most sought after throughout history. It is highly regarded for its beautiful blue color flecked w...
View full details
Original price
$34.00
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Original price
$34.00
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$34.00
$34.00
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$34.00
Lapis 8mm Round Faceted - 15-16 Inch
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$33.00
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$33.00
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$33.00
$33.00
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$33.00
Lapis is a semi to precious stone and one of the most sought after throughout history. It is highly regarded for its beautiful blue color flecked w...
View full details
Original price
$33.00
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Original price
$33.00
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$33.00
$33.00
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$33.00
Lapis 8x6 Table Cut Corner Drilled Cube-15-16 Inch
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$36.00
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$36.00
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$36.00
$36.00
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$36.00
Lapis is a semi to precious stone and one of the most sought after throughout history. It is highly regarded for its beautiful blue color flecked w...
View full details
Original price
$36.00
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$36.00
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$36.00
$36.00
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$36.00
Lapis 6mm Double Heart Faceted Star Cut - 15-16"
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$24.00
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$24.00
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$24.00
$24.00
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$24.00
Lapis is a semi to precious stone and one of the most sought after throughout history. It is highly regarded for its beautiful blue color flecked w...
View full details
Original price
$24.00
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Original price
$24.00
Original price
$24.00
$24.00
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$24.00
Lapis 8mm Double Heart Faceted Star Cut - 15-16 Inch
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$28.00
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$28.00
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$28.00
$28.00
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$28.00
Lapis is a semi to precious stone and one of the most sought after throughout history. It is highly regarded for its beautiful blue color flecked w...
View full details
Original price
$28.00
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Original price
$28.00
Original price
$28.00
$28.00
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$28.00
Lapis Natural 4mm Round A Grade - 15-16 Inch
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$18.00
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$18.00
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$18.00
$18.00
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$18.00
Lapis is a semi to precious stone and one of the most sought after throughout history. It is highly regarded for its beautiful blue color flecked w...
View full details
Original price
$18.00
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Original price
$18.00
Original price
$18.00
$18.00
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$18.00
Lapis Natural 6-7mm Table Cut Cube A Grade Bead - 15-16 Inch
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$39.00
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$39.00
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$39.00
$39.00
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$39.00
Lapis is a semi to precious stone and one of the most sought after throughout history. It is highly regarded for its beautiful blue color flecked w...
View full details
Original price
$39.00
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Original price
$39.00
Original price
$39.00
$39.00
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$39.00
Lapis 8x10mm Tri Cut Faceted Rondelle - 15-16 Inch
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$41.00
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Original price
$41.00
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$41.00
$41.00
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$41.00
Lapis is a semi to precious stone and one of the most sought after throughout history. It is highly regarded for its beautiful blue color flecked w...
View full details
Original price
$41.00
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Original price
$41.00
Original price
$41.00
$41.00
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$41.00
Larimar Natural 5X7.5mm Rondelle Faceted AA Grade - 15-16 Inch
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$104.00
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Original price
$104.00
Original price
$104.00
$104.00
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$104.00
Larimar is a translucent blue, turquoise and white stone that can have streaks and patterns of white, as well as red or brown either from oxidation...
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Original price
$104.00
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Original price
$104.00
Original price
$104.00
$104.00
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$104.00
Larimar Natural 6X9.5mm Rondelle Faceted - 15-16 Inch
Original price
$117.00
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Original price
$117.00
Original price
$117.00
$117.00
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$117.00
Larimar is a translucent blue, turquoise and white stone that can have streaks and patterns of white, as well as red or brown either from oxidation...
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Original price
$117.00
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Original price
$117.00
Original price
$117.00
$117.00
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$117.00
Lemurian Aquatine Calcite 10mm Round- 15-16 Inch (Blue Onyx)
Original price
$65.00
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Original price
$65.00
Original price
$65.00
$65.00
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$65.00
This unique stone is named after a now debunked theory of a continent called “Lemuria” thought to have sunk into the Indian Ocean. Though it is wid...
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Original price
$65.00
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Original price
$65.00
Original price
$65.00
$65.00
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$65.00
Lemurian Aquatine Calcite 5mm Cube Table Cut - 15-16 Inch (Blue Onyx)
Original price
$39.00
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Original price
$39.00
Original price
$39.00
$39.00
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$39.00
This unique stone is named after a now debunked theory of a continent called “Lemuria” thought to have sunk into the Indian Ocean. Though it is wid...
View full details
Original price
$39.00
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Original price
$39.00
Original price
$39.00
$39.00
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$39.00
Lemurian Aquatine Calcite 6mm Round- 15-16 Inch (Blue Onyx)
Original price
$27.00
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Original price
$27.00
Original price
$27.00
$27.00
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$27.00
This unique stone is named after a now debunked theory of a continent called “Lemuria” thought to have sunk into the Indian Ocean. Though it is wid...
View full details
Original price
$27.00
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Original price
$27.00
Original price
$27.00
$27.00
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$27.00
Lemurian Aquatine Calcite 7mm Cube Table Cut Corner Drill- 15-16 Inch (Blue Onyx) - CLEARANCE
Original price
$55.00
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Original price
$55.00
Original price
$55.00
$55.00
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$55.00
This unique stone is named after a now debunked theory of a continent called “Lemuria” thought to have sunk into the Indian Ocean. Though it is wid...
View full details
Original price
$55.00
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Original price
$55.00
Original price
$55.00
$55.00
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$55.00
Lemurian Aquatine Calcite 8mm Round- 15-16 Inch (Blue Onyx)
Original price
$44.00
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Original price
$44.00
Original price
$44.00
$44.00
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$44.00
This unique stone is named after a now debunked theory of a continent called “Lemuria” thought to have sunk into the Indian Ocean. Though it is wid...
View full details
Original price
$44.00
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Original price
$44.00
Original price
$44.00
$44.00
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$44.00
MATTE Blue Apatite 12mm A Grade Round - 15-16 Inch
Original price
$40.00
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Original price
$40.00
Original price
$40.00
$40.00
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$40.00
Blue Apatite ranges in color from light teal to blue to bright blue to dark blue to green. It can be easily confused with other minerals due to its...
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Original price
$40.00
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Original price
$40.00
Original price
$40.00
$40.00
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$40.00
Pietersite 6x8mm Tri Cut Faceted Rondelle - 15-16 Inch
Original price
$43.00
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Original price
$43.00
Original price
$43.00
$43.00
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$43.00
Pietersite has been called the Tempest Stone for its colors of deep blue and gray with metallic gold and flashes of brilliant chatoyancy as it catc...
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Original price
$43.00
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Original price
$43.00
Original price
$43.00
$43.00
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$43.00
Pietersite Natural 6-7mm Table Cut Cube Bead - 15-16 Inch
Original price
$43.00
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Original price
$43.00
Original price
$43.00
$43.00
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$43.00
Pietersite has been called the Tempest Stone for its colors of deep blue and gray with metallic gold and flashes of brilliant chatoyancy as it catc...
View full details
Original price
$43.00
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Original price
$43.00
Original price
$43.00
$43.00
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$43.00
Shattuckite 6mm Round - 15-16 Inch
Original price
$31.00
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Original price
$31.00
Original price
$31.00
$31.00
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$31.00
Shattuckite is a rare copper silicate hydroxide mineral. It occurs in bright turquoise blues and darker blues as well as rust reds, commonly with i...
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Original price
$31.00
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Original price
$31.00
Original price
$31.00
$31.00
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$31.00
Shattuckite 8mm Round - 15-16 Inch
Original price
$50.00
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Original price
$50.00
Original price
$50.00
$50.00
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$50.00
Shattuckite is a rare copper silicate hydroxide mineral. It occurs in bright turquoise blues and darker blues as well as rust reds, commonly with i...
View full details
Original price
$50.00
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Original price
$50.00
Original price
$50.00
$50.00
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$50.00
Sodalite 10mm Faceted Round - 15-16 Inch
Original price
$23.00
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Original price
$23.00
Original price
$23.00
$23.00
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$23.00
Sodalite is named for its sodium content and may be classified as a feldspathoid. Blue Sodalite is sometimes referred to as “poor man’s lapis” beca...
View full details
Original price
$23.00
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Original price
$23.00
Original price
$23.00
$23.00
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$23.00
Sodalite 4mm Faceted Round - 15-16 Inch
Original price
$17.00
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Original price
$17.00
Original price
$17.00
$17.00
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$17.00
Sodalite is named for its sodium content and may be classified as a feldspathoid. Blue Sodalite is sometimes referred to as “poor man’s lapis” beca...
View full details
Original price
$17.00
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Original price
$17.00
Original price
$17.00
$17.00
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$17.00
Sodalite 6-7mm Table Cut Cube Bead - 15-16 Inch
Original price
$25.00
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Original price
$25.00
Original price
$25.00
$25.00
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$25.00
Sodalite is named for its sodium content and may be classified as a feldspathoid. Blue Sodalite is sometimes referred to as “poor man’s lapis” beca...
View full details
Original price
$25.00
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Original price
$25.00
Original price
$25.00
$25.00
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$25.00
Sodalite 8mm Faceted Round - 15-16 Inch
Original price
$21.00
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Original price
$21.00
Original price
$21.00
$21.00
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$21.00
Sodalite is named for its sodium content and may be classified as a feldspathoid. Blue Sodalite is sometimes referred to as “poor man’s lapis” beca...
View full details
Original price
$21.00
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Original price
$21.00
Original price
$21.00
$21.00
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$21.00
Sunset Dumortierite 10mm Faceted Round - 15-16 Inch
Original price
$22.00
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Original price
$22.00
Original price
$22.00
$22.00
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$22.00
Sunset Dumortierite has a much brighter palette than regular Dumortierite, from light blue to lapis blue to cobalt, as well as some occurrences of ...
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Original price
$22.00
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Original price
$22.00
Original price
$22.00
$22.00
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$22.00
Terra Agate 10x30mm Barrel 15-16 Inch
Original price
$25.00
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Original price
$25.00
Original price
$25.00
$25.00
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$25.00
With the possible exception of the horizon meeting the bright blue sky on a perfect summer day, or a sandy beach blending into a tropical bay, ther...
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Original price
$25.00
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Original price
$25.00
Original price
$25.00
$25.00
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$25.00
Terra Agate 14mm Round - 15-16 Inch
Original price
$24.00
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Original price
$24.00
Original price
$24.00
$24.00
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$24.00
With the possible exception of the horizon meeting the bright blue sky on a perfect summer day, or a sandy beach blending into a tropical bay, ther...
View full details
Original price
$24.00
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Original price
$24.00
Original price
$24.00
$24.00
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$24.00
Terra Agate 15x20mm Barrel 15-16 Inch
Original price
$23.00
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Original price
$23.00
Original price
$23.00
$23.00
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$23.00
With the possible exception of the horizon meeting the bright blue sky on a perfect summer day, or a sandy beach blending into a tropical bay, ther...
View full details
Original price
$23.00
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Original price
$23.00
Original price
$23.00
$23.00
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$23.00
Frequently asked questions
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What is a 16-inch strand and why is it the trade standard?
A 16-inch strand is the working length most US jewelry designers buy for design-grade work — necklaces, multi-strand layouts, and bulk component sourcing. It gives enough beads to lay out a full 18–20 inch necklace with clasp and findings, or to cut down into shorter assemblies without running short. The 16-inch length has been the trade default for decades because it standardizes pricing and bead-count math across stones and cuts. Dakota's 16-inch hub covers the full catalog at this length, across rounds, rondelles, faceted cuts, cubes, coins, and shape work. The bracelet counterpart is the 8-inch strand. -
How many beads per 16-inch strand at common sizes?
Approximate bead counts per 16-inch strand assume snug-strung beads with no spacer drift. At 2mm you get roughly 200 beads, at 3mm about 135, at 4mm about 100, at 6mm about 66, at 8mm about 50, at 10mm about 40, and at 12mm about 33. Faceted cuts, rondelles, and irregular shapes (pebble, nugget, coin) vary — count is driven by the bead's drilled axis, not its widest dimension. Exact count should be disclosed; ask before buying if a piece-count is critical for your design and isn't specified. -
16-inch vs 8-inch — which length for which project?
16-inch is the necklace and design-strand length: enough material for an 18–20 inch finished necklace, multi-strand torsades, long earring drops, or component cutting. 8-inch is the bracelet length: pre-cut to the wrist standard, sized for stretch-cord bracelets and single-wrap pieces. Designers running production bracelet lines typically buy 8-inch to skip the cut-down step; designers doing necklace work, statement pieces, or mixed assemblies buy 16-inch for the bead count and pricing efficiency. Both lengths share the same stones and cuts where stocked — the choice is about finished-piece geometry, not material grade. -
What stones and cuts does Dakota carry in 16-inch?
The 16-inch hub spans the full catalog. Most-stocked stones include agate, turquoise, quartz, jasper, tourmaline, moonstone, garnet, labradorite, opal, and amazonite, with deeper coverage across feldspar, chalcedony, and silica varieties. Cut coverage runs from smooth round and faceted round (the largest categories) through rondelle, microfaceted round, pebble and nugget, cube, table-cut cube, faceted cube, and coin. Standard sizes are 4mm, 6mm, 8mm, and 10mm, with 2mm and 3mm in microfaceted work and 12mm in larger statement rounds. Filter by stone, cut, or size to narrow the grid. -
How does Dakota measure 16-inch strand lengths?
Strand length is measured end-to-end along the drilled axis, beads strung snug with no gaps. A 16-inch strand can run 15.5 to 16.5 inches depending on bead shape and how the cutter finished the temporary string — irregular shapes (nugget, pebble, raw-faceted) sit at the looser end because the drill points don't always center on the bead's midline. Bead count per strand reflects this variance. Length and approximate count should be disclosed; if you need a tight tolerance for a calibrated production run, ask before buying so the team can pull and measure before shipping.