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.
Multi Sapphire (Natural) 2-4mm Banded Faceted Drop - 15-16 Inch
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$447.00
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$447.00
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$447.00
Sapphires are precious gemstones, but unlike rubies, they come in a rainbow of colors besides red! They are all varieties of the mineral corundum,...
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$447.00
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$447.00
Ruby (Natural) 3mm Faceted Rondelle - 15-16 Inch
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$224.00
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$224.00
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$224.00
Ruby is a precious gemstone known for its deep red color. It is a variety of the mineral corundum, the second-hardest mineral next to diamond . The...
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$224.00
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$224.00
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$224.00
Ethiopian Opal 1x2.5-3x5mm Graduated Irregular Rondelle - 15-16 Inch
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$51.00
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$51.00
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$51.00
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$51.00
Ethiopian Opal was first discovered in Ethiopia in 1994, with additional major finds in 2008 and 2013. Beautiful specimens of Precious Opal, Fire O...
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$51.00
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$51.00
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$51.00
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$51.00
Ethiopian Opal 1x2-3x4mm Graduated Irregular Rondelle - 15-16 Inch
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$54.00
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$54.00
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$54.00
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$54.00
Ethiopian Opal was first discovered in Ethiopia in 1994, with additional major finds in 2008 and 2013. Beautiful specimens of Precious Opal, Fire O...
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Original price
$54.00
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$54.00
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$54.00
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$54.00
Ethiopian Opal 1x2-3x5mm Graduated Irregular Rondelle - 15-16 Inch
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$52.00
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$52.00
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$52.00
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$52.00
Ethiopian Opal was first discovered in Ethiopia in 1994, with additional major finds in 2008 and 2013. Beautiful specimens of Precious Opal, Fire O...
View full details
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$52.00
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$52.00
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Purple Puka Shell 10-12mm Chip - 15-16 Inch
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$39.00
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$39.00
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$39.00
Puka shells are naturally broken, ocean-tumbled fragments of cone snail shells, featuring a naturally occurring center hole ("puka" in Hawaiian). O...
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Hubei Turquoise & Spiny Oyster 4mm Compressed Heishi - 15-16 Inch
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$54.00
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$54.00
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$54.00
Hubei Turquoise is sourced from Hubei Province in Northern China, one of the most recognized turquoise-producing regions in the world. This materia...
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$54.00
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$54.00
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Purple Puka Shell 6-7mm Chip - 15-16 Inch
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$28.00
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$28.00
Puka shells are naturally broken, ocean-tumbled fragments of cone snail shells, featuring a naturally occurring center hole ("puka" in Hawaiian). O...
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$28.00
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$28.00
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$28.00
Purple Puka Shell 4-5mm Chip - 15-16 Inch
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$26.00
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$26.00
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$26.00
Puka shells are naturally broken, ocean-tumbled fragments of cone snail shells, featuring a naturally occurring center hole ("puka" in Hawaiian). O...
View full details
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$26.00
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$26.00
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$26.00
Purple Oyster Shell 4-20mm Graduated Heishi - 15-16 Inch
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$39.00
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Green Lip Shell 4-20mm Graduated Heishi - 15-16 Inch
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$39.00
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$39.00
Sea shells are one of our most ancient decorations. Our prehistoric ancestors used to string them into necklaces or hang them from cords as pendant...
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Melo Shell 4-20mm Graduated Heishi - 15-16 Inch
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$39.00
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$39.00
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$39.00
Sea shells are one of our most ancient decorations. Our prehistoric ancestors used to string them into necklaces or hang them from cords as pendant...
View full details
Original price
$39.00
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$39.00
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$39.00
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$39.00
Spiny Oyster Mixed Wth Wampum 8mm Heishi - 15-16 Inch
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$99.00
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$99.00
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$99.00
The colors in this strand of Spiny Oyster and Wampum Shell are contrasting yet look so good together. It's like they were meant for each other!
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$99.00
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Spiny Oyster Mixed With Melo Shell 4-5mm Heishi - 15-16 Inch
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$27.00
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$27.00
The soft neutrals of this strand are made from a combo of Spiny Oyster and Melo Shell. This strand of beads won't steal the show in your designs bu...
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$27.00
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Spiny Oyster Mixed With Black Lip Shell 4-5mm Heishi - 15-16 Inch
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The stunning contrast of the Spiny Oyster and Black Lip Shell make for a bold combo that is sure to be great to add to your designs!
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Spiny Oyster Mixed With Hammer Shell 4-5mm Heishi - 15-16 Inch
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A beautiful mix of Spiny Oyster and Hammer Shell make a strand of subtle neutrals that will compliment many designs!
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Spiny Oyster 5-12mm Purple Graduated Rondelle - 15-16 Inch
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$113.00
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$113.00
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$113.00
Turquoise and Spiny Oyster 4x6mm Rondelle - 15-16 Inch
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$72.00
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$72.00
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$72.00
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$72.00
Beautifully compressed combination of Turquoise and Spiny Oyster make a stunning color combination in one bead!
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$72.00
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$72.00
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$72.00
Moonstone 8mm Round Beads - 15-16 Inch
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$18.00
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$18.00
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$18.00
Moonstone naturally occurs in a broad spectrum of colors, but is most commonly associated with white, gray and peach. It's soft chatoyancy is remin...
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$18.00
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Bicolor Moonstone 4mm Round AA Grade - 15-16 Inch
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$14.00
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$14.00
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$14.00
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$14.00
Moonstone naturally occurs in a broad spectrum of colors, but is most commonly associated with white, gray and peach. It's soft chatoyancy is remin...
View full details
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$14.00
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$14.00
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$14.00
Atlantisite Stichtite 3mm Round - 15-16 Inch
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$25.00
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$25.00
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$25.00
Stichtite is a mineral, a carbonate of chromium and magnesium. Its color ranges from pink through lilac to a rich purple color. Discovered in 1910 ...
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Natural White Wood 6mm Round Bead - 15-16 Inch
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$7.00
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$7.00
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$7.00
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$7.00
Like all of Dakota Stones items, our wood beads are top quality and sourced from the best ethically produced manufacturers. Natural wood beads have...
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$7.00
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$7.00
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$7.00
Hubei Turquoise with Copper Painted Edge 8-9mm Green Quatrefoil Bead - 15-16 Inch
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$224.00
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$224.00
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$224.00
$224.00
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$224.00
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$224.00
Hubei Turquoise is sourced from Hubei Province in Northern China, one of the most recognized turquoise-producing regions in the world. This materia...
View full details
Original price
$224.00
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Original price
$224.00
Original price
$224.00
$224.00
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$224.00
Hubei Turquoise with Copper Painted Edge 8x10mm Blue Oval Bead - 15-16 Inch
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$163.00
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$163.00
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$163.00
$163.00
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$163.00
Hubei Turquoise is sourced from Hubei Province in Northern China, one of the most recognized turquoise-producing regions in the world. This materia...
View full details
Original price
$163.00
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$163.00
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$163.00
$163.00
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$163.00
Hubei Turquoise with Copper Painted Edge 9-13mm Free Form Bead - 15-16 Inch
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$143.00
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$143.00
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$143.00
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$143.00
Hubei Turquoise is sourced from Hubei Province in Northern China, one of the most recognized turquoise-producing regions in the world. This materia...
View full details
Original price
$143.00
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Original price
$143.00
Original price
$143.00
$143.00
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$143.00
Hubei Turquoise with Copper Painted Edge Blue-Green 8x10mm Oval Bead - 15-16 Inch
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$122.00
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$122.00
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$122.00
$122.00
$122.00
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$122.00
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$122.00
Hubei Turquoise is sourced from Hubei Province in Northern China, one of the most recognized turquoise-producing regions in the world. This materia...
View full details
Original price
$122.00
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Original price
$122.00
Original price
$122.00
$122.00
$122.00
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$122.00
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$122.00
Hubei Turquoise with Copper Painted Edge 6x8mm Blue Oval Bead - 15-16 Inch
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$144.00
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Original price
$144.00
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$144.00
$144.00
$144.00
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$144.00
Current price
$144.00
Hubei Turquoise is sourced from Hubei Province in Northern China, one of the most recognized turquoise-producing regions in the world. This materia...
View full details
Original price
$144.00
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Original price
$144.00
Original price
$144.00
$144.00
$144.00
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$144.00
Current price
$144.00
Hubei Turquoise with Copper Painted Edge 6x8mm Green Oval Bead - 15-16 Inch
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$128.00
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$128.00
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$128.00
$128.00
$128.00
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$128.00
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$128.00
Hubei Turquoise is sourced from Hubei Province in Northern China, one of the most recognized turquoise-producing regions in the world. This materia...
View full details
Original price
$128.00
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Original price
$128.00
Original price
$128.00
$128.00
$128.00
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$128.00
Current price
$128.00
Hubei Turquoise with Copper Painted Edge 6x8mm Blue-Green Oval Bead - 15-16 Inch
Original price
$144.00
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Original price
$144.00
Original price
$144.00
$144.00
$144.00
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$144.00
Current price
$144.00
Hubei Turquoise is sourced from Hubei Province in Northern China, one of the most recognized turquoise-producing regions in the world. This materia...
View full details
Original price
$144.00
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Original price
$144.00
Original price
$144.00
$144.00
$144.00
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$144.00
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$144.00
Hubei Turquoise with Copper Painted Edge 8x13mm Green Pear Bead - 15-16 Inch
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$232.00
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$232.00
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$232.00
$232.00
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$232.00
Hubei Turquoise is sourced from Hubei Province in Northern China, one of the most recognized turquoise-producing regions in the world. This materia...
View full details
Original price
$232.00
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Original price
$232.00
Original price
$232.00
$232.00
$232.00
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$232.00
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$232.00
Hubei Turquoise with Copper Painted Edge 11-18mm Free Form Bead - 15-16 Inch
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$184.00
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$184.00
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$184.00
$184.00
$184.00
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$184.00
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$184.00
Hubei Turquoise is sourced from Hubei Province in Northern China, one of the most recognized turquoise-producing regions in the world. This materia...
View full details
Original price
$184.00
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Original price
$184.00
Original price
$184.00
$184.00
$184.00
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$184.00
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$184.00
Hubei Compressed Turquoise with Copper Painted Edge 8mm Dyed Purple Coin Bead - 15-16 Inch
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$86.00
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$86.00
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$86.00
$86.00
$86.00
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$86.00
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$86.00
Hubei Turquoise is sourced from Hubei Province in Northern China, one of the most recognized turquoise-producing regions in the world. This materia...
View full details
Original price
$86.00
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Original price
$86.00
Original price
$86.00
$86.00
$86.00
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$86.00
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$86.00
Hubei Compressed Turquoise with Copper Painted Edge 8mm Dyed Green Coin Bead - 15-16 Inch
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$86.00
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Original price
$86.00
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$86.00
$86.00
$86.00
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$86.00
Current price
$86.00
Hubei Turquoise is sourced from Hubei Province in Northern China, one of the most recognized turquoise-producing regions in the world. This materia...
View full details
Original price
$86.00
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Original price
$86.00
Original price
$86.00
$86.00
$86.00
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$86.00
Current price
$86.00
Hubei Compressed Turquoise with Copper Painted Edge 6-7mm Dyed Dark Green Coin Bead - 15-16 Inch
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$104.00
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Original price
$104.00
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$104.00
$104.00
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$104.00
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$104.00
Hubei Turquoise is sourced from Hubei Province in Northern China, one of the most recognized turquoise-producing regions in the world. This materia...
View full details
Original price
$104.00
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Original price
$104.00
Original price
$104.00
$104.00
$104.00
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$104.00
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$104.00
Hubei Turquoise 8x10-13x16mm Blue Free Form Faceted Oval AA Grade - 15-16 Inch
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$261.00
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$261.00
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$261.00
$261.00
$261.00
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$261.00
Current price
$261.00
Hubei Turquoise is sourced from Hubei Province in Northern China, one of the most recognized turquoise-producing regions in the world. This materia...
View full details
Original price
$261.00
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Original price
$261.00
Original price
$261.00
$261.00
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$261.00
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$261.00
Hubei Turquoise 3mm Sky Blue Round AA Grade - 15-16 Inch
Original price
$33.00
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Original price
$33.00
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$33.00
$33.00
$33.00
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$33.00
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$33.00
Hubei Turquoise is sourced from Hubei Province in Northern China, one of the most recognized turquoise-producing regions in the world. This materia...
View full details
Original price
$33.00
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Original price
$33.00
Original price
$33.00
$33.00
$33.00
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$33.00
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$33.00
Hubei Turquoise 4x6-5x8mm Blue/Green Tiny Nugget AA Grade - 15-16 Inch
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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
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$29.00
Hubei Turquoise is sourced from Hubei Province in Northern China, one of the most recognized turquoise-producing regions in the world. This materia...
View full details
Original price
$29.00
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Original price
$29.00
Original price
$29.00
$29.00
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$29.00
Hubei Turquoise 6x8-7x9mm Blue/Green Nugget AA Grade - 15-16 Inch
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$38.00
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$38.00
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$38.00
$38.00
$38.00
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$38.00
Current price
$38.00
Hubei Turquoise is sourced from Hubei Province in Northern China, one of the most recognized turquoise-producing regions in the world. This materia...
View full details
Original price
$38.00
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Original price
$38.00
Original price
$38.00
$38.00
$38.00
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$38.00
Current price
$38.00
Hubei Turquoise 4mm Blue with Matix Round AA Grade - 15-16 Inch
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$31.00
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$31.00
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$31.00
$31.00
$31.00
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$31.00
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$31.00
Hubei Turquoise is sourced from Hubei Province in Northern China, one of the most recognized turquoise-producing regions in the world. This materia...
View full details
Original price
$31.00
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Original price
$31.00
Original price
$31.00
$31.00
$31.00
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$31.00
Current price
$31.00
Hubei Turquoise 9x13-12x18mm Blue Faceted Tear Drop AA Grade - 15-16 Inch
Original price
$227.00
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Original price
$227.00
Original price
$227.00
$227.00
$227.00
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$227.00
Current price
$227.00
Hubei Turquoise is sourced from Hubei Province in Northern China, one of the most recognized turquoise-producing regions in the world. This materia...
View full details
Original price
$227.00
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Original price
$227.00
Original price
$227.00
$227.00
$227.00
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$227.00
Current price
$227.00
Hubei Turquoise 8x10-10x12mm Blue Free Form Rectangle A Grade - 15-16 Inch
Original price
$134.00
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Original price
$134.00
Original price
$134.00
$134.00
$134.00
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$134.00
Current price
$134.00
Hubei Turquoise is sourced from Hubei Province in Northern China, one of the most recognized turquoise-producing regions in the world. This materia...
View full details
Original price
$134.00
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Original price
$134.00
Original price
$134.00
$134.00
$134.00
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$134.00
Current price
$134.00
Hubei Turquoise 9mm Blue Round - 15-16 Inch
Original price
$299.00
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Original price
$299.00
Original price
$299.00
$299.00
$299.00
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$299.00
Current price
$299.00
Hubei Turquoise is sourced from Hubei Province in Northern China, one of the most recognized turquoise-producing regions in the world. This materia...
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Original price
$299.00
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Original price
$299.00
Original price
$299.00
$299.00
$299.00
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$299.00
Current price
$299.00
Hubei Turquoise 6mm Blue Irregular Heishi - 15-16 Inch
Original price
$168.00
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Original price
$168.00
Original price
$168.00
$168.00
$168.00
-
$168.00
Current price
$168.00
Hubei Turquoise is sourced from Hubei Province in Northern China, one of the most recognized turquoise-producing regions in the world. This materia...
View full details
Original price
$168.00
-
Original price
$168.00
Original price
$168.00
$168.00
$168.00
-
$168.00
Current price
$168.00
Hubei Turquoise 10-14mm Blue/Green Top Drill Chip - 15-16 Inch
Original price
$43.00
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Original price
$43.00
Original price
$43.00
$43.00
$43.00
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$43.00
Current price
$43.00
Hubei Turquoise is sourced from Hubei Province in Northern China, one of the most recognized turquoise-producing regions in the world. This materia...
View full details
Original price
$43.00
-
Original price
$43.00
Original price
$43.00
$43.00
$43.00
-
$43.00
Current price
$43.00
Hubei Turquoise 9-10mm Blue with Matrix Free Form Rondelle AA Grade - 15-16 Inch
Original price
$198.00
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Original price
$198.00
Original price
$198.00
$198.00
$198.00
-
$198.00
Current price
$198.00
Hubei Turquoise is sourced from Hubei Province in Northern China, one of the most recognized turquoise-producing regions in the world. This materia...
View full details
Original price
$198.00
-
Original price
$198.00
Original price
$198.00
$198.00
$198.00
-
$198.00
Current price
$198.00
Hubei Turquoise 8x10-10x12mm Blue/Green Free Form Rectangle - 15-16 Inch
Original price
$134.00
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Original price
$134.00
Original price
$134.00
$134.00
$134.00
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$134.00
Current price
$134.00
Hubei Turquoise is sourced from Hubei Province in Northern China, one of the most recognized turquoise-producing regions in the world. This materia...
View full details
Original price
$134.00
-
Original price
$134.00
Original price
$134.00
$134.00
$134.00
-
$134.00
Current price
$134.00
Hubei Turquoise 11mm Blue Round - 15-16 Inch
Original price
$319.00
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Original price
$319.00
Original price
$319.00
$319.00
$319.00
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$319.00
Current price
$319.00
Hubei Turquoise is sourced from Hubei Province in Northern China, one of the most recognized turquoise-producing regions in the world. This materia...
View full details
Original price
$319.00
-
Original price
$319.00
Original price
$319.00
$319.00
$319.00
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$319.00
Current price
$319.00
Sonoran Mountain Turquoise 8-9mm Nugget - 17-18 Inch
Original price
$564.00
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Original price
$564.00
Original price
$564.00
$564.00
$564.00
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$564.00
Current price
$564.00
Sonoran Mountain Turquoise is a high-quality turquoise variety mined in Sonora, Mexico. It often features a mix of vibrant blue and green hues, som...
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Original price
$564.00
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Original price
$564.00
Original price
$564.00
$564.00
$564.00
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$564.00
Current price
$564.00
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. -
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.