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.
Larimar 3mm Table Cut Cube AA Grade Bead - 15-16 Inch
Original price
$57.00
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Original price
$57.00
Original price
$57.00
$57.00
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$57.00
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
$57.00
-
Original price
$57.00
Original price
$57.00
$57.00
-
$57.00
Hubei Turquoise 5x8mm Green Rondelle Beads AA Grade - 15-16 Grade
Original price
$197.00
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Original price
$197.00
Original price
$197.00
$197.00
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$197.00
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
$197.00
-
Original price
$197.00
Original price
$197.00
$197.00
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$197.00
Chrysocolla 8mm Star Cut Coin - 15-16 Inch
Original price
$45.00
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Original price
$45.00
Original price
$45.00
$45.00
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$45.00
Chrysocolla, a hydrous copper silicate, is often mistaken for turquoise due to its rich blues and blue to greens. It often also occurs with colors ...
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Original price
$45.00
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Original price
$45.00
Original price
$45.00
$45.00
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$45.00
African Turquoise 6mm Star Cut Coin A Grade - 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
African Turquoise is not actually Turquoise, but rather a speckled teal Jasper found in Africa and often treated to simulate the beautiful blue to ...
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Original price
$24.00
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Original price
$24.00
Original price
$24.00
$24.00
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$24.00
Hubei Turquoise Banded 3mm Table Cut Cube Bead - 15-16 Inch
Original price
$27.00
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Original price
$27.00
Original price
$27.00
$27.00
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$27.00
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
$27.00
-
Original price
$27.00
Original price
$27.00
$27.00
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$27.00
Hubei Turquoise 5x8mm Rondelle Beads AA Grade - 15-16 Grade
Original price
$204.00
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Original price
$204.00
Original price
$204.00
$204.00
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$204.00
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
$204.00
-
Original price
$204.00
Original price
$204.00
$204.00
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$204.00
Kingman Turquoise 6mm Blue Brown Rondelle - 15-16 Inch
Original price
$256.00
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Original price
$256.00
Original price
$256.00
$256.00
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$256.00
Kingman turquoise, mined in the Acerbate Mountains near Kingman, Arizona, is renowned for its vibrant, intense blue hues, often featuring a black, ...
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Original price
$256.00
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Original price
$256.00
Original price
$256.00
$256.00
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$256.00
Hubei Turquoise 3x11mm Tyre Beads - 15-16 Inch
Original price
$423.00
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Original price
$423.00
Original price
$423.00
$423.00
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$423.00
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
$423.00
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Original price
$423.00
Original price
$423.00
$423.00
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$423.00
Hubei Turquoise 3x9mm Tyre Beads AA Grade - 15-16 Inch
Original price
$279.00
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Original price
$279.00
Original price
$279.00
$279.00
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$279.00
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
$279.00
-
Original price
$279.00
Original price
$279.00
$279.00
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$279.00
Hubei Turquoise 8x12mm Barrel Beads AA Grade - 15-16 Inch
Original price
$279.00
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Original price
$279.00
Original price
$279.00
$279.00
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$279.00
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
$279.00
-
Original price
$279.00
Original price
$279.00
$279.00
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$279.00
Hubei Turquoise 8x16mm Tear Drop Beads AA Grade - 15-16 Inch
Original price
$233.00
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Original price
$233.00
Original price
$233.00
$233.00
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$233.00
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
$233.00
-
Original price
$233.00
Original price
$233.00
$233.00
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$233.00
Kingman Turquoise 3-4mm Blue/Green Pebble - 15-16 Inch
Original price
$91.00
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Original price
$91.00
Original price
$91.00
$91.00
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$91.00
Kingman turquoise, mined in the Acerbate Mountains near Kingman, Arizona, is renowned for its vibrant, intense blue hues, often featuring a black, ...
View full details
Original price
$91.00
-
Original price
$91.00
Original price
$91.00
$91.00
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$91.00
Hubei Turquoise 5x12mm Green Rice Beads A Grade - 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
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
$117.00
-
Original price
$117.00
Original price
$117.00
$117.00
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$117.00
Hubei Turquoise 4x10mm Irregular Tyre Beads - 15-16 Inch
Original price
$338.00
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Original price
$338.00
Original price
$338.00
$338.00
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$338.00
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
$338.00
-
Original price
$338.00
Original price
$338.00
$338.00
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$338.00
Hubei Turquoise 4x6mm Green Rondelle Beads AA Grade - 15-16 Inch
Original price
$118.00
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Original price
$118.00
Original price
$118.00
$118.00
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$118.00
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
$118.00
-
Original price
$118.00
Original price
$118.00
$118.00
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$118.00
African Turquoise 4x6mm Corner Drilled Table Cut Cube Bead - 15-16 Inch
Original price
$18.00
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Original price
$18.00
Original price
$18.00
$18.00
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$18.00
African Turquoise is not actually Turquoise, but rather a speckled teal Jasper found in Africa and often treated to simulate the beautiful blue to ...
View full details
Original price
$18.00
-
Original price
$18.00
Original price
$18.00
$18.00
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$18.00
Kingman Turquoise 9x11-11x20mm Blue Brown Graduated Nugget - 15-16 Inch
Original price
$649.00
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Original price
$649.00
Original price
$649.00
$649.00
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$649.00
Kingman turquoise, mined in the Acerbate Mountains near Kingman, Arizona, is renowned for its vibrant, intense blue hues, often featuring a black, ...
View full details
Original price
$649.00
-
Original price
$649.00
Original price
$649.00
$649.00
-
$649.00
Hubei Turquoise 4x6mm Tyre Beads AA Grade - 15-16 Grade
Original price
$145.00
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Original price
$145.00
Original price
$145.00
$145.00
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$145.00
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
$145.00
-
Original price
$145.00
Original price
$145.00
$145.00
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$145.00
Hubei Turquoise 4x6mm Rondelle Beads AA Grade - 15-16 Grade
Original price
$118.00
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Original price
$118.00
Original price
$118.00
$118.00
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$118.00
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
$118.00
-
Original price
$118.00
Original price
$118.00
$118.00
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$118.00
Hubei Turquoise with Matrix 5mm Round Beads - 15-16 Inch
Original price
$62.00
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Original price
$62.00
Original price
$62.00
$62.00
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$62.00
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
$62.00
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Original price
$62.00
Original price
$62.00
$62.00
-
$62.00
Hubei Turquoise 8x10mm Puff Oval Beads AA Grade - 15-16 Grade
Original price
$173.00
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Original price
$173.00
Original price
$173.00
$173.00
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$173.00
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
$173.00
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Original price
$173.00
Original price
$173.00
$173.00
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$173.00
Hubei Turquoise 6.7mm Round Beads - 15-16 Inch
Original price
$114.00
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Original price
$114.00
Original price
$114.00
$114.00
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$114.00
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
$114.00
-
Original price
$114.00
Original price
$114.00
$114.00
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$114.00
Hubei Turquoise 3x6mm Rondelle Beads AA Grade - 15-16 Grade
Original price
$112.00
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Original price
$112.00
Original price
$112.00
$112.00
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$112.00
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
$112.00
-
Original price
$112.00
Original price
$112.00
$112.00
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$112.00
Hubei Turquoise with Matrix 6.7mm Round Beads - 15-16 Inch
Original price
$102.00
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Original price
$102.00
Original price
$102.00
$102.00
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$102.00
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
$102.00
-
Original price
$102.00
Original price
$102.00
$102.00
-
$102.00
Hubei Turquoise 3x7mm Tyre Beads AA Grade - 15-16 Inch
Original price
$213.00
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Original price
$213.00
Original price
$213.00
$213.00
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$213.00
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
$213.00
-
Original price
$213.00
Original price
$213.00
$213.00
-
$213.00
Egyptian Turquoise 5x7-7x9mm Graduated Free Form Oval - 15-16 Inch
Original price
$283.00
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Original price
$283.00
Original price
$283.00
$283.00
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$283.00
Egyptian Turquoise is one of the oldest known sources of turquoise, historically mined in the Sinai region for thousands of years and prized since ...
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Original price
$283.00
-
Original price
$283.00
Original price
$283.00
$283.00
-
$283.00
Egyptian Turquoise 3x5-5x9mm Graduated Side Drill Nugget - 15-16 Inch
Original price
$429.00
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Original price
$429.00
Original price
$429.00
$429.00
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$429.00
Egyptian Turquoise is one of the oldest known sources of turquoise, historically mined in the Sinai region for thousands of years and prized since ...
View full details
Original price
$429.00
-
Original price
$429.00
Original price
$429.00
$429.00
-
$429.00
Egyptian Turquoise 3x4-8x10mm Light Blue Graduated Free Form Oval - 15-16 Inch
Original price
$279.00
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Original price
$279.00
Original price
$279.00
$279.00
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$279.00
Egyptian Turquoise is one of the oldest known sources of turquoise, historically mined in the Sinai region for thousands of years and prized since ...
View full details
Original price
$279.00
-
Original price
$279.00
Original price
$279.00
$279.00
-
$279.00
Sky Blue Hubei Turquoise 7mm Round Beads - 15-16 Inch
Original price
$119.00
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Original price
$119.00
Original price
$119.00
$119.00
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$119.00
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
$119.00
-
Original price
$119.00
Original price
$119.00
$119.00
-
$119.00
Larimar 4x7mm Rondelle Beads A Grade - 15-16 Inch
Original price
$133.00
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Original price
$133.00
Original price
$133.00
$133.00
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$133.00
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...
View full details
Original price
$133.00
-
Original price
$133.00
Original price
$133.00
$133.00
-
$133.00
Hubei Turquoise 4x5mm Barrel Beads AA Grade - 15-16 Inch
Original price
$53.00
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Original price
$53.00
Original price
$53.00
$53.00
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$53.00
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
$53.00
-
Original price
$53.00
Original price
$53.00
$53.00
-
$53.00
Larimar 8x10mm Puff Oval Beads A Grade - 15-16 Inch
Original price
$98.00
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Original price
$98.00
Original price
$98.00
$98.00
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$98.00
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...
View full details
Original price
$98.00
-
Original price
$98.00
Original price
$98.00
$98.00
-
$98.00
Egyptian Turquoise 4x6-10x14mm Graduated Free Form Oval - 15-16 Inch
Original price
$359.00
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Original price
$359.00
Original price
$359.00
$359.00
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$359.00
Egyptian Turquoise is one of the oldest known sources of turquoise, historically mined in the Sinai region for thousands of years and prized since ...
View full details
Original price
$359.00
-
Original price
$359.00
Original price
$359.00
$359.00
-
$359.00
Egyptian Turquoise 3x4-4x7mm Graduated Side Drill Nugget - 15-16 Inch
Original price
$259.00
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Original price
$259.00
Original price
$259.00
$259.00
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$259.00
Egyptian Turquoise is one of the oldest known sources of turquoise, historically mined in the Sinai region for thousands of years and prized since ...
View full details
Original price
$259.00
-
Original price
$259.00
Original price
$259.00
$259.00
-
$259.00
Lone Mountain Turquoise 4-6mm Nugget - 18 Inch
Original price
$419.00
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Original price
$419.00
Original price
$419.00
$419.00
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$419.00
The Lone Mountain turquoise mine was rediscovered in 1920 by Lee Hand, a man known as the "turquoise king" of his day. It is considered rediscovere...
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Original price
$419.00
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Original price
$419.00
Original price
$419.00
$419.00
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$419.00
Egyptian Turquoise 2x4-4x5mm Side Drill Nugget - 15-16 Inch
Original price
$146.00
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Original price
$146.00
Original price
$146.00
$146.00
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$146.00
Egyptian Turquoise is one of the oldest known sources of turquoise, historically mined in the Sinai region for thousands of years and prized since ...
View full details
Original price
$146.00
-
Original price
$146.00
Original price
$146.00
$146.00
-
$146.00
Egyptian Turquoise 6x8mm Barrel - 15-16 Inch
Original price
$675.00
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Original price
$675.00
Original price
$675.00
$675.00
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$675.00
Egyptian Turquoise is one of the oldest known sources of turquoise, historically mined in the Sinai region for thousands of years and prized since ...
View full details
Original price
$675.00
-
Original price
$675.00
Original price
$675.00
$675.00
-
$675.00
Hubei Turquoise with Matrix 6mm Round Beads - 15-16 Inch
Original price
$85.00
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Original price
$85.00
Original price
$85.00
$85.00
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$85.00
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
$85.00
-
Original price
$85.00
Original price
$85.00
$85.00
-
$85.00
Sky Blue Hubei Turquoise 6-6.5mm Round Beads - 15-16 Inch
Original price
$77.00
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Original price
$77.00
Original price
$77.00
$77.00
-
$77.00
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
$77.00
-
Original price
$77.00
Original price
$77.00
$77.00
-
$77.00
Egyptian Turquoise 4x5-7x10mm Graduated Free Form Oval - 15-16 Inch
Original price
$252.00
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Original price
$252.00
Original price
$252.00
$252.00
-
$252.00
Egyptian Turquoise is one of the oldest known sources of turquoise, historically mined in the Sinai region for thousands of years and prized since ...
View full details
Original price
$252.00
-
Original price
$252.00
Original price
$252.00
$252.00
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$252.00
Hubei Turquoise 6-6.2mm Round Beads - 15-16 Inch
Original price
$93.00
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Original price
$93.00
Original price
$93.00
$93.00
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$93.00
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
$93.00
-
Original price
$93.00
Original price
$93.00
$93.00
-
$93.00
Egyptian Turquoise 2x4-4x7mm Graduated Side Drill Nugget - 15-16 Inch
Original price
$229.00
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Original price
$229.00
Original price
$229.00
$229.00
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$229.00
Egyptian Turquoise is one of the oldest known sources of turquoise, historically mined in the Sinai region for thousands of years and prized since ...
View full details
Original price
$229.00
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Original price
$229.00
Original price
$229.00
$229.00
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$229.00
Turquoise & Dyed Magnesite (Compressed) 2x4 Heishi - 15-16 Inch
Original price
$59.00
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Original price
$59.00
Original price
$59.00
$59.00
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$59.00
Original price
$59.00
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Original price
$59.00
Original price
$59.00
$59.00
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$59.00
Spiny Oyster & Turquoise 10mm Rondelle Bead - 15-16 Inch
Original price
$86.00
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Original price
$86.00
Original price
$86.00
$86.00
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$86.00
Original price
$86.00
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Original price
$86.00
Original price
$86.00
$86.00
-
$86.00
Egyptian Turquoise 5x7mm Barrel - 15-16 Inch
Original price
$585.00
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Original price
$585.00
Original price
$585.00
$585.00
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$585.00
Egyptian Turquoise is one of the oldest known sources of turquoise, historically mined in the Sinai region for thousands of years and prized since ...
View full details
Original price
$585.00
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Original price
$585.00
Original price
$585.00
$585.00
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$585.00
Magnesite 6mm Turquoise (Dyed) Heishi - 15-16 Inch
Original price
$15.00
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Original price
$15.00
Original price
$15.00
$15.00
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$15.00
Magnesite is a soft mineral best known for being dyed to imitate other gemstones. Natural magnesite stones are usually white with a dark web-like p...
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Original price
$15.00
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Original price
$15.00
Original price
$15.00
$15.00
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$15.00
Hubei Turquoise, Lapis AAA, & Spiny Oyster 1-2x3mm Squaredelle - 15-16 Inch
Original price
$49.00
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Original price
$49.00
Original price
$49.00
$49.00
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$49.00
These mixed stone strands have a great pop of color making them perfect for when you're making that unique and colorful piece of jewelry! This stra...
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Original price
$49.00
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Original price
$49.00
Original price
$49.00
$49.00
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$49.00
Chilean Turquoise 6mm Round Bead - 15-16 Inch
Original price
$209.00
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Original price
$209.00
Original price
$209.00
$209.00
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$209.00
Chilean turquoise is a prized gemstone primarily sourced from the Atacama Desert and the Andes Mountains in northern Chile. It is known for its vib...
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Original price
$209.00
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Original price
$209.00
Original price
$209.00
$209.00
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$209.00
Frequently asked questions
-
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.