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.
Products: 2487
Hubei Turquoise 4x6mm Green Barrel Bead - 15-16 Inch
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 detailsHubei Turquoise 5-7x7-9mm Pebble Beads - 15-16 Inch - 68402
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 detailsHubei Turquoise 4x8mm Light Green & Brown Rice Bead - 15-16 Inch
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 detailsHubei Turquoise 16-20mm Blue-Green Irregular Disc Bead - 15-16 Inch
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 detailsHubei Turquoise 10-13x12-19mm Green Nugget Beads - 15-16 Inch - 68408
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 detailsHubei Turquoise 5-7x7-10mm Blue-Green Pebble Beads - 15-16 Inch
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 detailsHubei Turquoise 4-5mm Blue Irregular Tube Beads - 15-16 Inch
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 detailsHubei Turquoise 5-6mm Blue Pebble Beads - 15-16 Inch
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 detailsHubei Turquoise 5-7x7-11mm Spider Web Matrix Blue-Green Pebble Beads - 15-16 Inch
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 detailsHubei Turquoise 9-10mm Green Irregular Coin Bead - 15-16 Inch
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 detailsHubei Turquoise 9-11x9-16mm Nugget Beads - 15-16 Inch - 68406
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 detailsHubei Turquoise 9-14x11-15mm Light Blue Nugget Beads - 15-16 Inch - 68410
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 detailsHubei Turquoise 8-12x10-14mm Blue-Green Nugget Beads - 15-16 Inch - 68411
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 detailsHubei Turquoise 8-11x10-12mm Nugget Beads - 15-16 Inch - 68404
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 detailsHubei Turquoise 9-11x13-19mm Nugget Beads - 15-16 Inch - 68407
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 detailsHubei Turquoise 9-12x12-18mm Nugget Beads - 15-16 Inch - 68403
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 detailsHubei Turquoise 9-10x10-12mm Green-Blue Nugget Beads - 15-16 Inch - 68429
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 detailsHubei Turquoise 7-11x10-14mm Blue-Green Nugget Beads - 15-16 Inch - 68415
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 detailsHubei Turquoise 4-7x5-9mm Green Pebble Beads - 15-16 Inch - 68409
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 detailsHubei Turquoise 5-8x8-13mm ONE-OF-A-KIND! Blue/Green/Brown Graduated Rondelle Beads - 15-16 Inch
ONE-OF-A-KIND! Hubei Turquoise is sourced from Hubei Province in Northern China, one of the most recognized turquoise-producing regions in the worl...
View full detailsHubei Turquoise 12-17x14-21mm Blue Nugget Beads - 15-16 Inch - 68412
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 detailsHubei Turquoise 10-12x14-19mm Light Blue Nugget Beads - 15-16 Inch - 68413
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 detailsHubei Turquoise 11-14x9-15mm Light Blue Nugget Beads - 15-16 Inch - 68420
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 detailsHubei Turquoise 7-9x9-13mm Blue-Green Nugget Beads - 15-16 Inch - 68430
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 detailsHubei Turquoise 6-11x10-25mm ONE-OF-A-KIND! Green & Blue Graduated Rice & Barrel Beads - 15-16 Inch
ONE-OF-A-KIND! Hubei Turquoise is sourced from Hubei Province in Northern China, one of the most recognized turquoise-producing regions in the worl...
View full detailsHubei Turquoise 7-11x11-15mm Nugget Beads - 15-16 Inch - 68405
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 detailsHubei Turquoise 10-13x14-19mm Light Blue Nugget Beads - 15-16 Inch - 68421
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 detailsHubei Turquoise 10-15x16-22mm Blue Nugget Beads - 15-16 Inch - 68414
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 detailsPersian Turquoise 7-10x10-14mm Nugget Beads - 15-16 Inch
Persian turquoise is not only a pretty rock. It is a piece of history. It tells about kings, mines, art, and old trade. It holds the stories of peo...
View full detailsHubei Turquoise 8-10x8-12mm Blue Nugget Beads - 15-16 Inch - 68431
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 detailsHubei Turquoise 10-12x13-16mm Green Nugget Beads - 15-16 Inch - 68416
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 detailsHubei Turquoise 6-10x9-15mm Light Blue Nugget Beads - 15-16 Inch - 68417
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 detailsHubei Turquoise 9-12x10-15mm Blue-Green Nugget Beads - 15-16 Inch - 68418
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 detailsHubei Turquoise 15-18x18-40mm Blue-Green Nugget Beads - 15-16 Inch - 68423
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 detailsHubei Turquoise 6-12x10-22mm ONE-OF-A-KIND! Blue/Green/Brown Graduated Rice & Barrel Beads - 15-16 Inch
ONE-OF-A-KIND! Hubei Turquoise is sourced from Hubei Province in Northern China, one of the most recognized turquoise-producing regions in the worl...
View full detailsPersian Turquoise 4-5x6-8mm Irregular Rectangle Beads - 15-16 Inch
Persian turquoise is not only a pretty rock. It is a piece of history. It tells about kings, mines, art, and old trade. It holds the stories of peo...
View full detailsPersian Turquoise 3-5x8mm Irregular Heishi Beads - 14-15 Inch
Persian turquoise is not only a pretty rock. It is a piece of history. It tells about kings, mines, art, and old trade. It holds the stories of peo...
View full detailsHubei Turquoise 12-18x16-22mm Light Blue-Green Nugget Beads - 15-16 Inch - 68422
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 detailsHubei Turquoise 7-10x9-12mm Blue Nugget Beads - 15-16 Inch - 68432
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 detailsPersian Turquoise 5-6x8-9mm Irregular Rectangle Beads - 15-16 Inch
Persian turquoise is not only a pretty rock. It is a piece of history. It tells about kings, mines, art, and old trade. It holds the stories of peo...
View full detailsHubei Turquoise 6-8x8-18mm ONE-OF-A-KIND! Green & Brown Graduated Barrel & Rice Beads - 15-16 Inch
ONE-OF-A-KIND! Hubei Turquoise is sourced from Hubei Province in Northern China, one of the most recognized turquoise-producing regions in the worl...
View full detailsPersian Turquoise 5-6x8-10mm Irregular Tube Beads - 15-16 Inch
Persian turquoise is not only a pretty rock. It is a piece of history. It tells about kings, mines, art, and old trade. It holds the stories of peo...
View full detailsPurple Oyster Shell 5mm Heishi - 15-16 Inch
Natural White Wood 8mm Round Bead- 15-16 Inch
Like all of Dakota Stones items, our wood beads are top quality and sourced from the best ethically produced manufacturers. Natural wood beads have...
View full detailsBlue Nepal Kyanite 3x6-5x8mm Grauated Faceted Rondelle Necklace - 15-16 Inch
Kyanite often occurs as long, bladed, striated crystals, transparent or translucent with a pearly luster. An aluminum silicate mineral, it may appe...
View full detailsGreen and Black Mica Muscovite 12mm Round - 15-16 Inch
Mica is a mineral name given to a group of minerals that are physically and chemically similar. They are all silicate minerals, known as sheet sil...
View full detailsSpiny Oyster 7mm Free Form Square - 15-16 Inch
Australian Boulder Opal 8-9mm Round Necklace - 15-16 Inch
Boulder Opal is a golden-brown to dark brown stone, displaying these colors in patterns of parallel bands. It is considered a precious Opal, and fo...
View full detailsFrequently 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.