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.
Freshwater Pearl 5-6mm Pink/Red Irregular Flat Oval Beads - 15-16 Inch
Original price
$14.00
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Original price
$14.00
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$14.00
$14.00
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$14.00
Unlike most gemstones found within the Earth, pearls are organic. Simply, they grow inside the shells of certain species of oysters and clams. Some...
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$14.00
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$14.00
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$14.00
$14.00
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$14.00
Freshwater Pearl 4-5mm Peacock Potato Beads - 15-16 Inch
Original price
$17.00
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$17.00
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$17.00
$17.00
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$17.00
Unlike most gemstones found within the Earth, pearls are organic. Simply, they grow inside the shells of certain species of oysters and clams. Some...
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
Freshwater Pearl 12x16-18mm Multi Pastel Flat Rectangle Beads - 15-16 Inch
Original price
$73.00
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$73.00
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$73.00
$73.00
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$73.00
Unlike most gemstones found within the Earth, pearls are organic. Simply, they grow inside the shells of certain species of oysters and clams. Some...
View full details
Original price
$73.00
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Original price
$73.00
Original price
$73.00
$73.00
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$73.00
Freshwater Pearl 11x13mm White Star Beads - 15-16 Inch
Original price
$59.00
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$59.00
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$59.00
$59.00
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$59.00
Unlike most gemstones found within the Earth, pearls are organic. Simply, they grow inside the shells of certain species of oysters and clams. Some...
View full details
Original price
$59.00
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Original price
$59.00
Original price
$59.00
$59.00
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$59.00
Freshwater Pearl 13-14x15-18mm White Flat Oval Beads - 15-16 Inch
Original price
$49.00
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$49.00
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$49.00
$49.00
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$49.00
Unlike most gemstones found within the Earth, pearls are organic. Simply, they grow inside the shells of certain species of oysters and clams. Some...
View full details
Original price
$49.00
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Original price
$49.00
Original price
$49.00
$49.00
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$49.00
Freshwater Pearl 11-14mm Blue Top Drilled Keshi Beads - 15-16 Inch
Original price
$21.00
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$21.00
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$21.00
$21.00
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$21.00
Unlike most gemstones found within the Earth, pearls are organic. Simply, they grow inside the shells of certain species of oysters and clams. Some...
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
Freshwater Pearl 9-10mm Peacock "Edison" Round Beads - 15-16 Inch
Original price
$146.00
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$146.00
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$146.00
$146.00
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$146.00
Unlike most gemstones found within the Earth, pearls are organic. Simply, they grow inside the shells of certain species of oysters and clams. Some...
View full details
Original price
$146.00
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Original price
$146.00
Original price
$146.00
$146.00
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$146.00
Freshwater Pearl 5-6mm Dark Brown Potato Beads - 15-16 Inch
Original price
$16.00
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$16.00
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$16.00
$16.00
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$16.00
Unlike most gemstones found within the Earth, pearls are organic. Simply, they grow inside the shells of certain species of oysters and clams. Some...
View full details
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$16.00
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$16.00
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$16.00
$16.00
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$16.00
SPECIAL PRICE Freshwater Pearl 7-9mm Dark Gold Irregular Button Beads - 15-16 Inch
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$5.00
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$5.00
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$5.00
$5.00
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$5.00
Unlike most gemstones found within the Earth, pearls are organic. Simply, they grow inside the shells of certain species of oysters and clams. Some...
View full details
Original price
$5.00
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$5.00
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$5.00
$5.00
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$5.00
Freshwater Pearl 4mm White Crispy Chip Beads - 15-16 Inch
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$12.00
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$12.00
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$12.00
$12.00
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$12.00
Unlike most gemstones found within the Earth, pearls are organic. Simply, they grow inside the shells of certain species of oysters and clams. Some...
View full details
Original price
$12.00
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Original price
$12.00
Original price
$12.00
$12.00
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$12.00
Freshwater Pearl 7-12mm Blue Top Drill Keshi Beads - 15-16 Inch
Original price
$7.00
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$7.00
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$7.00
$7.00
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$7.00
Unlike most gemstones found within the Earth, pearls are organic. Simply, they grow inside the shells of certain species of oysters and clams. Some...
View full details
Original price
$7.00
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Original price
$7.00
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$7.00
$7.00
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$7.00
SPECIAL PRICE Freshwater Pearl 5-6mm Golden Brown Irregular Button Beads - 15-16 Inch
Original price
$5.00
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$5.00
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$5.00
$5.00
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$5.00
Unlike most gemstones found within the Earth, pearls are organic. Simply, they grow inside the shells of certain species of oysters and clams. Some...
View full details
Original price
$5.00
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Original price
$5.00
Original price
$5.00
$5.00
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$5.00
Freshwater Pearl 7-9mm White Potato Beads - 15-16 Inch
Original price
$44.00
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Original price
$44.00
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$44.00
$44.00
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$44.00
Unlike most gemstones found within the Earth, pearls are organic. Simply, they grow inside the shells of certain species of oysters and clams. Some...
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
Freshwater Pearl 3.5-3mm Brown Potato Beads - 15-16 Inch
Original price
$13.00
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$13.00
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$13.00
$13.00
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$13.00
Unlike most gemstones found within the Earth, pearls are organic. Simply, they grow inside the shells of certain species of oysters and clams. Some...
View full details
Original price
$13.00
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Original price
$13.00
Original price
$13.00
$13.00
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$13.00
SPECIAL PRICE Freshwater Pearl 3-5mm Brown Irregular Button Beads - 15-16 Inch
Original price
$5.00
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Original price
$5.00
Original price
$5.00
$5.00
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$5.00
Unlike most gemstones found within the Earth, pearls are organic. Simply, they grow inside the shells of certain species of oysters and clams. Some...
View full details
Original price
$5.00
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Original price
$5.00
Original price
$5.00
$5.00
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$5.00
Freshwater Pearl 11-14mm Golden Brown Top Drilled Keshi Beads - 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
Unlike most gemstones found within the Earth, pearls are organic. Simply, they grow inside the shells of certain species of oysters and clams. Some...
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
Freshwater Pearl 2-2.5mm Burgundy Potato Beads - 15-16 Inch
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$12.00
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Original price
$12.00
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$12.00
$12.00
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$12.00
Unlike most gemstones found within the Earth, pearls are organic. Simply, they grow inside the shells of certain species of oysters and clams. Some...
View full details
Original price
$12.00
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Original price
$12.00
Original price
$12.00
$12.00
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$12.00
Freshwater Pearl 2.5-3mm Dark Brown Potato Beads - 15-16 Inch
Original price
$12.00
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Original price
$12.00
Original price
$12.00
$12.00
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$12.00
Unlike most gemstones found within the Earth, pearls are organic. Simply, they grow inside the shells of certain species of oysters and clams. Some...
View full details
Original price
$12.00
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Original price
$12.00
Original price
$12.00
$12.00
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$12.00
Freshwater Pearl 4-4.5mm White Potato Beads - 15-16 Inch
Original price
$27.00
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Original price
$27.00
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$27.00
$27.00
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$27.00
Unlike most gemstones found within the Earth, pearls are organic. Simply, they grow inside the shells of certain species of oysters and clams. Some...
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
SPECIAL PRICE Freshwater Pearl 4-5mm Teal Irregular Button Beads - 15-16 Inch
Original price
$5.00
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Original price
$5.00
Original price
$5.00
$5.00
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$5.00
Unlike most gemstones found within the Earth, pearls are organic. Simply, they grow inside the shells of certain species of oysters and clams. Some...
View full details
Original price
$5.00
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Original price
$5.00
Original price
$5.00
$5.00
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$5.00
Freshwater Pearl 8-9mm Purple/Pink Potato Beads - 15-16 Inch
Original price
$15.00
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Original price
$15.00
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$15.00
$15.00
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$15.00
Unlike most gemstones found within the Earth, pearls are organic. Simply, they grow inside the shells of certain species of oysters and clams. Some...
View full details
Original price
$15.00
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Original price
$15.00
Original price
$15.00
$15.00
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$15.00
Wampum Shell 5mm Light Rondelle Bead - 15-16 Inch
Original price
$41.00
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Original price
$41.00
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$41.00
$41.00
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$41.00
Wampum is made from one of the hardest and most beautiful shells in the world: the Northern Quahog, a clam found along the New England coast. The 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
SPECIAL PRICE Freshwater Pearl 5-7mm Brown Irregular Button Beads - 15-16 Inch
Original price
$5.00
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Original price
$5.00
Original price
$5.00
$5.00
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$5.00
Unlike most gemstones found within the Earth, pearls are organic. Simply, they grow inside the shells of certain species of oysters and clams. Some...
View full details
Original price
$5.00
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Original price
$5.00
Original price
$5.00
$5.00
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$5.00
SPECIAL PRICE Freshwater Pearl 4-5mm Gold Irregular Button Beads - 15-16 Inch
Original price
$5.00
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Original price
$5.00
Original price
$5.00
$5.00
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$5.00
Unlike most gemstones found within the Earth, pearls are organic. Simply, they grow inside the shells of certain species of oysters and clams. Some...
View full details
Original price
$5.00
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Original price
$5.00
Original price
$5.00
$5.00
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$5.00
SPECIAL PRICE Freshwater Pearl 5-7mm Peacock Irregular Button Beads - 15-16 Inch
Original price
$5.00
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Original price
$5.00
Original price
$5.00
$5.00
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$5.00
Unlike most gemstones found within the Earth, pearls are organic. Simply, they grow inside the shells of certain species of oysters and clams. Some...
View full details
Original price
$5.00
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Original price
$5.00
Original price
$5.00
$5.00
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$5.00
SPECIAL PRICE Freshwater Pearl 5-7mm Copper Brown Irregular Potato Beads - 15-16 Inch
Original price
$5.00
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Original price
$5.00
Original price
$5.00
$5.00
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$5.00
Unlike most gemstones found within the Earth, pearls are organic. Simply, they grow inside the shells of certain species of oysters and clams. Some...
View full details
Original price
$5.00
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Original price
$5.00
Original price
$5.00
$5.00
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$5.00
Wampum Shell 5x10mm Tube Bead - 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
Wampum is made from one of the hardest and most beautiful shells in the world: the Northern Quahog, a clam found along the New England coast. The w...
View full details
Original price
$53.00
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Original price
$53.00
Original price
$53.00
$53.00
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$53.00
Freshwater Pearl 6-7mm White Potato Beads - 15-16 Inch
Original price
$34.00
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Original price
$34.00
Original price
$34.00
$34.00
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$34.00
Unlike most gemstones found within the Earth, pearls are organic. Simply, they grow inside the shells of certain species of oysters and clams. Some...
View full details
Original price
$34.00
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Original price
$34.00
Original price
$34.00
$34.00
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$34.00
Wampum Shell 9mm Carved Flower Bead - 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
Wampum is made from one of the hardest and most beautiful shells in the world: the Northern Quahog, a clam found along the New England coast. The w...
View full details
Original price
$59.00
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Original price
$59.00
Original price
$59.00
$59.00
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$59.00
Freshwater Pearl 2.5-3mm White Potato Beads - 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
Unlike most gemstones found within the Earth, pearls are organic. Simply, they grow inside the shells of certain species of oysters and clams. Some...
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
Wampum Shell 10mm Rondelle Bead - 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
Wampum is made from one of the hardest and most beautiful shells in the world: the Northern Quahog, a clam found along the New England coast. The w...
View full details
Original price
$59.00
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Original price
$59.00
Original price
$59.00
$59.00
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$59.00
Purple "Pimpleback" Shell 8x16mm Faceted Rectangle Bead - 15-16 Inch
Original price
$72.00
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Original price
$72.00
Original price
$72.00
$72.00
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$72.00
A "pimpleback" is a freshwater mussel (Cyclonaias pustulosa) common in North American rivers, characterized by a thick, yellow-brown to brown shell...
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Original price
$72.00
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Original price
$72.00
Original price
$72.00
$72.00
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$72.00
Freshwater Pearl 2.5-3mm Dark Pink Potato Beads - 15-16 Inch
Original price
$12.00
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Original price
$12.00
Original price
$12.00
$12.00
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$12.00
Unlike most gemstones found within the Earth, pearls are organic. Simply, they grow inside the shells of certain species of oysters and clams. Some...
View full details
Original price
$12.00
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Original price
$12.00
Original price
$12.00
$12.00
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$12.00
Spiny Oyster 8mm Red Rondelle Bead - 15-16 Inch
Original price
$54.00
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Original price
$54.00
Original price
$54.00
$54.00
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$54.00
Original price
$54.00
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Original price
$54.00
Original price
$54.00
$54.00
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$54.00
Wampum Shell 6mm Round Bead - 15-16 Inch
Original price
$104.00
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Original price
$104.00
Original price
$104.00
$104.00
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$104.00
Wampum is made from one of the hardest and most beautiful shells in the world: the Northern Quahog, a clam found along the New England coast. The w...
View full details
Original price
$104.00
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Original price
$104.00
Original price
$104.00
$104.00
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$104.00
Freshwater Pearl 2.5-3mm Brown Potato Beads - 15-16 Inch
Original price
$12.00
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Original price
$12.00
Original price
$12.00
$12.00
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$12.00
Unlike most gemstones found within the Earth, pearls are organic. Simply, they grow inside the shells of certain species of oysters and clams. Some...
View full details
Original price
$12.00
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Original price
$12.00
Original price
$12.00
$12.00
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$12.00
Mother of Pearl 3x5mm White Tube Bead - 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
Mother of Pearl, also known as Nacre, is an iridescent composite of organic and inorganic material most known for being the coating of pearls. It i...
View full details
Original price
$49.00
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Original price
$49.00
Original price
$49.00
$49.00
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$49.00
Freshwater Pearl 5x9mm White Faceted Baroque Bead - 15-16 Inch
Original price
$72.00
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Original price
$72.00
Original price
$72.00
$72.00
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$72.00
Unlike most gemstones found within the Earth, pearls are organic. Simply, they grow inside the shells of certain species of oysters and clams. Some...
View full details
Original price
$72.00
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Original price
$72.00
Original price
$72.00
$72.00
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$72.00
Abalone Shell 4mm Heishi 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
Abalone Shell is strong and is made of stacked calcium carbonate tiles. When the abalone shell is struck, the tiles slide instead of shattering abs...
View full details
Original price
$57.00
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Original price
$57.00
Original price
$57.00
$57.00
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$57.00
Purple "Pimpleback" Shell 8mm Faceted Coin 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
A "pimpleback" is a freshwater mussel (Cyclonaias pustulosa) common in North American rivers, characterized by a thick, yellow-brown to brown shell...
View full details
Original price
$57.00
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Original price
$57.00
Original price
$57.00
$57.00
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$57.00
Mother of Pearl 1-2x4mm White Thin Heishi Bead - 15-16 Inch
Original price
$54.00
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Original price
$54.00
Original price
$54.00
$54.00
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$54.00
Mother of Pearl, also known as Nacre, is an iridescent composite of organic and inorganic material most known for being the coating of pearls. It i...
View full details
Original price
$54.00
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Original price
$54.00
Original price
$54.00
$54.00
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$54.00
Shiva Eye Shell 10mm Heart Bead - 15-16 Inch
Original price
$36.00
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Original price
$36.00
Original price
$36.00
$36.00
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$36.00
Shiva Eye shells—also known as Pacific Cat’s Eye or Operculum—are the protective "door" of Turban snails, found in Thailand/Indonesia. They symboli...
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Original price
$36.00
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Original price
$36.00
Original price
$36.00
$36.00
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$36.00
Wampum Shell 20mm Cross Bead - 15-16 Inch
Original price
$55.00
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Original price
$55.00
Original price
$55.00
$55.00
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$55.00
Wampum is made from one of the hardest and most beautiful shells in the world: the Northern Quahog, a clam found along the New England coast. The w...
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
Wampum Shell 12mm Heishi Bead - 15-16 Inch
Original price
$68.00
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Original price
$68.00
Original price
$68.00
$68.00
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$68.00
Wampum is made from one of the hardest and most beautiful shells in the world: the Northern Quahog, a clam found along the New England coast. The w...
View full details
Original price
$68.00
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Original price
$68.00
Original price
$68.00
$68.00
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$68.00
Queen Conch Shell 9x16mm Pink Rice Bead - 15-16
Regular Price
$97.00
Original price
$97.00
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Original price
$97.00
Original price
$97.00
$59.00
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$59.00
The queen conch (scientific name: Eustrombus gigas), also known as the big phoenix snail or the pink phoenix snail, is a large and edible conch. Th...
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Regular Price
$97.00
Original price
$97.00
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Original price
$97.00
Original price
$97.00
$59.00
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$59.00
Sale
Wampum Shell 4mm Round Bead - 15-16 Inch
Original price
$77.00
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Original price
$77.00
Original price
$77.00
$77.00
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$77.00
Wampum is made from one of the hardest and most beautiful shells in the world: the Northern Quahog, a clam found along the New England coast. The w...
View full details
Original price
$77.00
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Original price
$77.00
Original price
$77.00
$77.00
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$77.00
Abalone Shell 3x5mm Rondelle Bead - 15-16 Inch
Original price
$54.00
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Original price
$54.00
Original price
$54.00
$54.00
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$54.00
Abalone Shell is strong and is made of stacked calcium carbonate tiles. When the abalone shell is struck, the tiles slide instead of shattering abs...
View full details
Original price
$54.00
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Original price
$54.00
Original price
$54.00
$54.00
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$54.00
Wampum Shell 14mm Round Bead - 15-16 Inch
Original price
$149.00
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Original price
$149.00
Original price
$149.00
$149.00
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$149.00
Wampum is made from one of the hardest and most beautiful shells in the world: the Northern Quahog, a clam found along the New England coast. The w...
View full details
Original price
$149.00
-
Original price
$149.00
Original price
$149.00
$149.00
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$149.00
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.