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All High-End Strands

All High-End Strands

Extraordinary stones deserve their own stage. The High-End collection spotlights strands cut from the best rough—think vivid tourmaline slices, saturated emerald rounds, and near-flawless sapphire rondelles—each artisan-cut to showcase maximum light, clarity, and play of color. Many lots yield only a handful of strands, so what you see here often can’t be reordered once it’s gone.

Expect designer-grade polish, tightly calibrated dimensions, and hand-matched color flow that speeds up layout work at the bench. If your next piece calls for materials that command attention and hold long-term value, this curated lineup delivers the rarest options in the Dakota Stones vault. Act quickly; inventory refreshes with the seasons.

Shop the collection ↓

Products: 178

Larimar 6x8mm Faceted Rondelle A Grade - 15-16 Inch

Original price $117.00 - Original price $117.00
Original price $117.00
$117.00
$117.00 - $117.00
Current price $117.00

Larimar is a translucent blue, turquoise and white stone that can have streaks and patterns of white, as well as red or brown either from oxidation...

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Original price $117.00 - Original price $117.00
Original price $117.00
$117.00
$117.00 - $117.00
Current price $117.00

Chalcedony (Marbled) 16mm Puff Coin - 15-16 Inch

Original price $105.00 - Original price $105.00
Original price $105.00
$105.00
$105.00 - $105.00
Current price $105.00

Blue Chalcedony is a naturally occurring soft blue translucent stone. It is a member of the Quartz family, a form of silica with a cryptocrystallin...

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Original price $105.00 - Original price $105.00
Original price $105.00
$105.00
$105.00 - $105.00
Current price $105.00

Citrine 6x11 Smooth Nugget - 15-16 Inch

Original price $181.00 - Original price $181.00
Original price $181.00
$181.00
$181.00 - $181.00
Current price $181.00

Citrine is a transparent Quartz, ranging in color from pale yellow to golden yellow, honey or brown, giving it a similar appearance to Topaz. It ma...

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Original price $181.00 - Original price $181.00
Original price $181.00
$181.00
$181.00 - $181.00
Current price $181.00

Black Spinel 15mm Pinwheel - 8 Inch

Regular Price $123.00
Original price $123.00 - Original price $123.00
Original price $123.00
Current price $49.00
$49.00 - $49.00
Current price $49.00

Spinel is a hard vitreous magnesium aluminum oxide, and comes in a range of other colors, but those varieties are transparent. Black Spinel not onl...

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Regular Price $123.00
Original price $123.00 - Original price $123.00
Original price $123.00
Current price $49.00
$49.00 - $49.00
Current price $49.00
Sale Sale

Black Spinel 9x13mm Twisted Drop - 8 Inch

Original price $96.00 - Original price $96.00
Original price $96.00
$96.00
$96.00 - $96.00
Current price $96.00

Spinel is a hard vitreous magnesium aluminum oxide, and comes in a range of other colors, but those varieties are transparent. Black Spinel not onl...

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Original price $96.00 - Original price $96.00
Original price $96.00
$96.00
$96.00 - $96.00
Current price $96.00

Black Spinel 15-20mm Double Drill Puff Hexagon - 8 Inch

Original price $240.00 - Original price $240.00
Original price $240.00
$240.00
$240.00 - $240.00
Current price $240.00

Spinel is a hard vitreous magnesium aluminum oxide, and comes in a range of other colors, but those varieties are transparent. Black Spinel not onl...

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Original price $240.00 - Original price $240.00
Original price $240.00
$240.00
$240.00 - $240.00
Current price $240.00

Lapis 10x17mm Faceted Tube - 17-18 Inch

Original price $68.00 - Original price $68.00
Original price $68.00
$68.00
$68.00 - $68.00
Current price $68.00

Lapis is a semi to precious stone and one of the most sought after throughout history. It is highly regarded for its beautiful blue color flecked w...

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Original price $68.00 - Original price $68.00
Original price $68.00
$68.00
$68.00 - $68.00
Current price $68.00

Lapis 8x20mm Faceted Teeth - 9 Inch

Original price $124.00 - Original price $124.00
Original price $124.00
$124.00
$124.00 - $124.00
Current price $124.00

Lapis is a semi to precious stone and one of the most sought after throughout history. It is highly regarded for its beautiful blue color flecked w...

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Original price $124.00 - Original price $124.00
Original price $124.00
$124.00
$124.00 - $124.00
Current price $124.00

Amazonite 8x18mm Faceted Teeth - 9 Inch

Original price $124.00 - Original price $124.00
Original price $124.00
$124.00
$124.00 - $124.00
Current price $124.00

Brazilian Amazonite is an opaque blue to green to light green stone, often occurring with inclusions of white, yellow or gray and occasionally tran...

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Original price $124.00 - Original price $124.00
Original price $124.00
$124.00
$124.00 - $124.00
Current price $124.00

Green Amethyst 8x20mm Faceted Teeth - 9 Inch

Original price $124.00 - Original price $124.00
Original price $124.00
$124.00
$124.00 - $124.00
Current price $124.00

Amethyst is a beautiful stone (normally purple), known as a “Gem of Fire” by ancient cultures. It has been greatly sought after throughout history ...

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Original price $124.00 - Original price $124.00
Original price $124.00
$124.00
$124.00 - $124.00
Current price $124.00

Lemon Quartz 8x16mm Faceted Teeth - 9 Inch

Original price $124.00 - Original price $124.00
Original price $124.00
$124.00
$124.00 - $124.00
Current price $124.00

Lemon Quartz is a trade name for color-enhanced yellow quartz. Gamma ray irradiation, followed by a mild heat treatment gives it the bright yellow ...

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Original price $124.00 - Original price $124.00
Original price $124.00
$124.00
$124.00 - $124.00
Current price $124.00

Amazonite 8x16mm Faceted Puff Rectangle - 9 Inch

Original price $124.00 - Original price $124.00
Original price $124.00
$124.00
$124.00 - $124.00
Current price $124.00

Brazilian Amazonite is an opaque blue to green to light green stone, often occurring with inclusions of white, yellow or gray and occasionally tran...

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Original price $124.00 - Original price $124.00
Original price $124.00
$124.00
$124.00 - $124.00
Current price $124.00

Lavender Amethyst 8mm Banded Faceted Tyre - 15-16 Inch

Original price $168.00 - Original price $168.00
Original price $168.00
$168.00
$168.00 - $168.00
Current price $168.00

Lavender Amethyst is a transparent lavender variety of Amethyst, which forms in geodes and is generally found in clusters of crystal points. The pr...

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Original price $168.00 - Original price $168.00
Original price $168.00
$168.00
$168.00 - $168.00
Current price $168.00

Citrine 8mm Banded Faceted Tyre - 15-16 Inch

Original price $161.00 - Original price $161.00
Original price $161.00
$161.00
$161.00 - $161.00
Current price $161.00

Citrine is a transparent Quartz, ranging in color from pale yellow to golden yellow, honey or brown, giving it a similar appearance to Topaz. It ma...

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Original price $161.00 - Original price $161.00
Original price $161.00
$161.00
$161.00 - $161.00
Current price $161.00

Cubic Zirconia (CZ) 6-7mm Drop Green Faceted Top Drill - 8 Inch

Original price $75.00 - Original price $75.00
Original price $75.00
$75.00
$75.00 - $75.00
Current price $75.00

Cubic Zirconia, abbreviated as CZ, is a lab-made form of zirconium dioxide. Made to resemble Diamonds, these stones offer the same beauty and spark...

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Original price $75.00 - Original price $75.00
Original price $75.00
$75.00
$75.00 - $75.00
Current price $75.00

Cubic Zirconia (CZ) 5-6mm Drop Brown Faceted Top Drill - 8 Inch

Original price $75.00 - Original price $75.00
Original price $75.00
$75.00
$75.00 - $75.00
Current price $75.00

Cubic Zirconia, abbreviated as CZ, is a lab-made form of zirconium dioxide. Made to resemble Diamonds, these stones offer the same beauty and spark...

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Original price $75.00 - Original price $75.00
Original price $75.00
$75.00
$75.00 - $75.00
Current price $75.00

Black Spinel 5-6mm Drop Faceted Top Drill - 8 Inch

Original price $90.00 - Original price $90.00
Original price $90.00
$90.00
$90.00 - $90.00
Current price $90.00

Spinel is a hard vitreous magnesium aluminum oxide, and comes in a range of other colors, but those varieties are transparent. Black Spinel not onl...

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Original price $90.00 - Original price $90.00
Original price $90.00
$90.00
$90.00 - $90.00
Current price $90.00

Ethiopian Opal 4x9-12mm Pear Black - 15-16 Inch

Original price $210.00 - Original price $210.00
Original price $210.00
$210.00
$210.00 - $210.00
Current price $210.00

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 $210.00 - Original price $210.00
Original price $210.00
$210.00
$210.00 - $210.00
Current price $210.00

Ethiopian Opal 5-6x6-8mm Pear Brown - 15-16 Inch

Original price $252.00 - Original price $252.00
Original price $252.00
$252.00
$252.00 - $252.00
Current price $252.00

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 $252.00 - Original price $252.00
Original price $252.00
$252.00
$252.00 - $252.00
Current price $252.00

Ethiopian Opal 4-9mm Heart Black - 15-16 Inch

Original price $210.00 - Original price $210.00
Original price $210.00
$210.00
$210.00 - $210.00
Current price $210.00

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 $210.00 - Original price $210.00
Original price $210.00
$210.00
$210.00 - $210.00
Current price $210.00

Ethiopian Opal 5-10mm Heart Brown - 15-16 Inch

Original price $210.00 - Original price $210.00
Original price $210.00
$210.00
$210.00 - $210.00
Current price $210.00

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 $210.00 - Original price $210.00
Original price $210.00
$210.00
$210.00 - $210.00
Current price $210.00

Ethiopian Opal 5-6mm Pebble Black - 15-16 Inch

Original price $168.00 - Original price $168.00
Original price $168.00
$168.00
$168.00 - $168.00
Current price $168.00

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
Original price $168.00 - Original price $168.00
Original price $168.00
$168.00
$168.00 - $168.00
Current price $168.00

Ethiopian Opal 4x6-7x10mm Drop Faceted White - 15-16 Inch

Original price $252.00 - Original price $252.00
Original price $252.00
$252.00
$252.00 - $252.00
Current price $252.00

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
Original price $252.00 - Original price $252.00
Original price $252.00
$252.00
$252.00 - $252.00
Current price $252.00

Blue Moonstone 6x8-10x12mm Freeform Cut - 15-16 Inch

Original price $104.00 - Original price $104.00
Original price $104.00
$104.00
$104.00 - $104.00
Current price $104.00

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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Original price $104.00 - Original price $104.00
Original price $104.00
$104.00
$104.00 - $104.00
Current price $104.00

Citrine 7x15-9x17mm Nugget Center Drill Faceted - 15-16 Inch

Original price $280.00 - Original price $280.00
Original price $280.00
$280.00
$280.00 - $280.00
Current price $280.00

Citrine is a transparent Quartz, ranging in color from pale yellow to golden yellow, honey or brown, giving it a similar appearance to Topaz. It ma...

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Original price $280.00 - Original price $280.00
Original price $280.00
$280.00
$280.00 - $280.00
Current price $280.00

Grey Diamond 2-3mm Rough Nugget - 15-16 Inch

Original price $384.00 - Original price $384.00
Original price $384.00
$384.00
$384.00 - $384.00
Current price $384.00

Diamond is a rare, naturally occurring mineral composed of pure carbon. Although most people think of diamonds as colorless, they actually occur i...

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Original price $384.00 - Original price $384.00
Original price $384.00
$384.00
$384.00 - $384.00
Current price $384.00

Dark Labradorite 6x10mm Faceted Rondelle AAA Grade - 15-16 Inch

Original price $96.00 - Original price $96.00
Original price $96.00
$96.00
$96.00 - $96.00
Current price $96.00

Labradorite is remarkable for the way its aggregate layers refract light, creating iridescent flashes of blue, gold, pale green or copper red. This...

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Original price $96.00 - Original price $96.00
Original price $96.00
$96.00
$96.00 - $96.00
Current price $96.00

Larimar 8mm Round A Grade - 15-16 Inch

Original price $144.00 - Original price $144.00
Original price $144.00
$144.00
$144.00 - $144.00
Current price $144.00

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 $144.00 - Original price $144.00
Original price $144.00
$144.00
$144.00 - $144.00
Current price $144.00

Emerald 8x5-7mm Tube A Grade - 15-16 Inch

Original price $180.00 - Original price $180.00
Original price $180.00
$180.00
$180.00 - $180.00
Current price $180.00

Emerald is one of the four “precious” gemstones, the others being Diamond, Ruby and Sapphire. It is the green form of Beryl, colored by trace amoun...

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Original price $180.00 - Original price $180.00
Original price $180.00
$180.00
$180.00 - $180.00
Current price $180.00

Crystal Quartz 12x15-19x20mm Top Drill Tab Rough Collar - 15-16 Inch

Regular Price $122.00
Original price $122.00 - Original price $122.00
Original price $122.00
Current price $48.80
$48.80 - $48.80
Current price $48.80

Crystal Quartz is a naturally occurring clear and colorless Quartz. It is a crystalline form of Quartz said to have many divine properties includin...

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Regular Price $122.00
Original price $122.00 - Original price $122.00
Original price $122.00
Current price $48.80
$48.80 - $48.80
Current price $48.80
Sale Sale

Green Lodalite Quartz 15x18-20x25mm Rounded Rough Collar - 15-16 Inch

Regular Price $122.00
Original price $122.00 - Original price $122.00
Original price $122.00
Current price $48.80
$48.80 - $48.80
Current price $48.80

Green Lodolite is Quartz with inclusions of sand. These inclusions range broadly in type and color and produce patterns that can look like gardens....

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Regular Price $122.00
Original price $122.00 - Original price $122.00
Original price $122.00
Current price $48.80
$48.80 - $48.80
Current price $48.80
Sale Sale

Rose Quartz 8x16-10x24mm Jagged Rough Collar - 15-16 Inch

Regular Price $122.00
Original price $122.00 - Original price $122.00
Original price $122.00
Current price $48.80
$48.80 - $48.80
Current price $48.80

Rose Quartz is a silicon dioxide crystal and one of the most common varieties of the Quartz family. It is a translucent to transparent stone with a...

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Regular Price $122.00
Original price $122.00 - Original price $122.00
Original price $122.00
Current price $48.80
$48.80 - $48.80
Current price $48.80
Sale Sale

Green Lodalite Quartz 14x20-14x25mm Jagged Rough Collar - 15-16 Inch

Regular Price $122.00
Original price $122.00 - Original price $122.00
Original price $122.00
Current price $48.80
$48.80 - $48.80
Current price $48.80

Green Lodolite is Quartz with inclusions of sand. These inclusions range broadly in type and color and produce patterns that can look like gardens....

View full details
Regular Price $122.00
Original price $122.00 - Original price $122.00
Original price $122.00
Current price $48.80
$48.80 - $48.80
Current price $48.80
Sale Sale

Labradorite 12x20-15x30mm Rounded Rough Collar - 15-16 Inch

Original price $122.00 - Original price $122.00
Original price $122.00
$122.00
$122.00 - $122.00
Current price $122.00

Labradorite is remarkable for the way its aggregate layers refract light, creating iridescent flashes of blue, gold, pale green or copper red. This...

View full details
Original price $122.00 - Original price $122.00
Original price $122.00
$122.00
$122.00 - $122.00
Current price $122.00

Rose Quartz 12x18-17x30mm Jagged Rough Collar - 15-16 Inch

Original price $122.00 - Original price $122.00
Original price $122.00
$122.00
$122.00 - $122.00
Current price $122.00

Rose Quartz is a silicon dioxide crystal and one of the most common varieties of the Quartz family. It is a translucent to transparent stone with a...

View full details
Original price $122.00 - Original price $122.00
Original price $122.00
$122.00
$122.00 - $122.00
Current price $122.00

Chrysoprase 12x15-15x25mm Smooth Collar Matte- 15-16 Inch

Regular Price $122.00
Original price $122.00 - Original price $122.00
Original price $122.00
Current price $48.80
$48.80 - $48.80
Current price $48.80

Chrysoprase is a bright apple green, translucent stone, whose color often caused ancient jewelers to confuse it with Emerald. A cryptocrystalline C...

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Regular Price $122.00
Original price $122.00 - Original price $122.00
Original price $122.00
Current price $48.80
$48.80 - $48.80
Current price $48.80
Sale Sale

Kingman Turquoise 15-22mm Chip Green 9-10 Inch Strands- Limited Editions

Original price $259.00 - Original price $259.00
Original price $259.00
$259.00
$259.00 - $259.00
Current price $259.00

Turquoise is an ancient gemstone, one of the first known to man. Known to Egyptian and Aztec cultures thousands of years ago, Turquoise is now mine...

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Original price $259.00 - Original price $259.00
Original price $259.00
$259.00
$259.00 - $259.00
Current price $259.00

Kingman Turquoise 15-20mm Chip Blue 9-10 Inch Strands- Limited Editions

Original price $254.00 - Original price $254.00
Original price $254.00
$254.00
$254.00 - $254.00
Current price $254.00

Turquoise is an ancient gemstone, one of the first known to man. Known to Egyptian and Aztec cultures thousands of years ago, Turquoise is now mine...

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Original price $254.00 - Original price $254.00
Original price $254.00
$254.00
$254.00 - $254.00
Current price $254.00

Muonionalusta Meteorite 12mm Rose Gold Pyramid Pendant - DSPremier

Original price $174.00 - Original price $174.00
Original price $174.00
$174.00
$174.00 - $174.00
Current price $174.00

All gemstones are fascinating and special. They come from far-away, remote parts of the globe. These Muonionalusta Meteorite beads, however, are mo...

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Original price $174.00 - Original price $174.00
Original price $174.00
$174.00
$174.00 - $174.00
Current price $174.00

Australian Chrysoprase 14mm Round AA Grade - 15-16 Inch

Original price $292.00 - Original price $292.00
Original price $292.00
$292.00
$292.00 - $292.00
Current price $292.00

Chrysoprase is a bright apple green, translucent stone, whose color often caused ancient jewelers to confuse it with Emerald. A cryptocrystalline C...

View full details
Original price $292.00 - Original price $292.00
Original price $292.00
$292.00
$292.00 - $292.00
Current price $292.00

Elisa Turquoise 5-13mm Graduated Rounds - 15-16 Inch

Original price $550.00 - Original price $550.00
Original price $550.00
$550.00
$550.00 - $550.00
Current price $550.00

This turquoise is mined from the Sonora mines in Mexico. Like all other natural turquoise, its coloring is the result of the chemical reaction that...

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Original price $550.00 - Original price $550.00
Original price $550.00
$550.00
$550.00 - $550.00
Current price $550.00

Multi Tourmaline 8x10-10x12mm Freeform Cut - 15-16 Inch

Original price $120.00 - Original price $120.00
Original price $120.00
$120.00
$120.00 - $120.00
Current price $120.00

Tourmaline is classified as a semiprecious stone and occurs in a vast array of colors, everything from colorless to black, from pastel to bright to...

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Original price $120.00 - Original price $120.00
Original price $120.00
$120.00
$120.00 - $120.00
Current price $120.00

Muonionalusta Meteorites 12mm Silver Pyramid Pendant

Original price $174.00 - Original price $174.00
Original price $174.00
$174.00
$174.00 - $174.00
Current price $174.00

This pyramid shaped meteorite pendant is stunning and ready-to-wear! Each pendant will be the same size and shape, but the difference in the patter...

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Original price $174.00 - Original price $174.00
Original price $174.00
$174.00
$174.00 - $174.00
Current price $174.00

Australian Opal 3-8mm Chip - 15-16 Inch

Original price $175.00 - Original price $175.00
Original price $175.00
$175.00
$175.00 - $175.00
Current price $175.00

Dakota Stones Australian Opals are back. We have been working with a father/ son team out of Australia for many years that assist us to bring you s...

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Original price $175.00 - Original price $175.00
Original price $175.00
$175.00
$175.00 - $175.00
Current price $175.00

White Moonstone 10mm Round - 15-16 inch

Original price $87.00 - Original price $87.00
Original price $87.00
$87.00
$87.00 - $87.00
Current price $87.00

Moonstone occurs in naturally in shades of white, gray, black, and peach, as well as translucent and iridescent. Metaphysically, moonstone is thoug...

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Original price $87.00 - Original price $87.00
Original price $87.00
$87.00
$87.00 - $87.00
Current price $87.00

Labradorite 8X10-12X14mm Freeform Hand Cut - 15-16 inch

Original price $66.00 - Original price $66.00
Original price $66.00
$66.00
$66.00 - $66.00
Current price $66.00

Labradorite is remarkable for the way its aggregate layers refract light, creating iridescent flashes of blue, gold, pale green or copper red. This...

View full details
Original price $66.00 - Original price $66.00
Original price $66.00
$66.00
$66.00 - $66.00
Current price $66.00

Larimar Natural 6X9.5mm Rondelle Faceted - 15-16 Inch

Original price $117.00 - Original price $117.00
Original price $117.00
$117.00
$117.00 - $117.00
Current price $117.00

Larimar is a translucent blue, turquoise and white stone that can have streaks and patterns of white, as well as red or brown either from oxidation...

View full details
Original price $117.00 - Original price $117.00
Original price $117.00
$117.00
$117.00 - $117.00
Current price $117.00

Larimar Natural 5X7.5mm Rondelle Faceted AA Grade - 15-16 Inch

Original price $104.00 - Original price $104.00
Original price $104.00
$104.00
$104.00 - $104.00
Current price $104.00

Larimar is a translucent blue, turquoise and white stone that can have streaks and patterns of white, as well as red or brown either from oxidation...

View full details
Original price $104.00 - Original price $104.00
Original price $104.00
$104.00
$104.00 - $104.00
Current price $104.00
The rare end of the catalog

The rare end of the catalog

This is where the catalog reaches its top shelf. Sapphire, ruby, emerald, and tanzanite in working jewelry sizes, Ethiopian opal and Australian boulder opal, black diamond cut into 2mm cubes, meteorite from the Muonionalusta fall finished into pendants. The turquoise arrives by mine name — Sleeping Beauty, Kingman, Campitos, Persian, Hubei. Every strand lands here for the same reasons: clarity, saturated and even color, clean matrix. The label reads straight, so natural sapphire says natural, dyed ruby says dyed, and graded lots carry their grade.
Cut follows the stone

Cut follows the stone

Much of this collection is faceted by hand, one bead cut to its own stone. That is where the irregular rondelles in sapphire and ruby come from, and the graduated runs that step from 2mm to 6mm along a single strand. The shapes reach well past rounds: faceted teeth in lapis and green amethyst, twisted drops and pinwheels in black spinel, sapphire finished as top-drill slices, ruby carved into graduated ovals, Herkimer and Pakimer quartz drilled as natural points. Sizes read as ranges because a hand-cut lot varies bead to bead, and the range on the label is the range on the strand.
Strung with the finished piece in mind

Strung with the finished piece in mind

Part of the design work is already on the strand. A collar or a graduated necklace arrives sized, sequenced, and balanced — the matching is done, so your time goes to the clasp, the metal, and the details that make the piece yours. A design length carries just what one pair of earrings or one pendant needs, which makes a piece simple to cost and keeps your bench stock lean. A one-of-a-kind strand or a single focal gives you a centerpiece to build the whole piece around — what it becomes is one of one, and that is the story your client takes home.

Frequently asked questions

  • What makes a strand belong in this selection?
    Strands land here when they show stronger clarity, more saturated or even color, cleaner matrix, tighter calibration, or come from a source that's harder to keep in stock. The selection skews toward material designers reach for when a single strand has to carry a finished piece — faceted Sapphire and Ruby rondelles, natural Turquoise from named mines, Ethiopian and Australian Opal, well-cut Moonstone and Labradorite. The label is descriptive, not a tier label: it groups strands by what's in the bag, not by a price bracket. Specifics on each strand — origin, cut, treatment — should be disclosed; ask before buying if anything you need isn't specified.
  • Which stones show up most in this collection?
    Turquoise leads by a wide margin, followed by Opal, Sapphire, Quartz, and Ruby, with steady inventory of Moonstone, Labradorite, Tourmaline, Amethyst, and Kyanite. Cut distribution leans toward rondelles, rounds, teardrops, and pebble/nugget shapes, with faceted rondelles common across the corundum and Tourmaline strands and heishi/tyre cuts frequent on Turquoise. Sizes cluster in the 3–8mm range, with 6mm and 8mm the most common. If you're sourcing for a specific palette or cut, the side filters narrow the grid by stone, shape, and size — or pull the dedicated stone collection (for example Turquoise or Sapphire) for the full run.
  • Are these strands graded for clarity, calibration, or origin?
    Grading varies by material. Faceted corundum (Sapphire, Ruby) and faceted Tourmaline strands typically carry clarity and color notes. Turquoise is generally identified by mine or region when that information is available from the supplier. Calibration tolerance depends on cut: faceted rondelles and rounds run tighter than nuggets, slices, or free-form shapes, which are sold as natural cuts and will vary strand to strand. Bead count, strand length, and drill size should appear on each listing. If a grading detail you need for a design isn't listed, ask before ordering — supplier paperwork doesn't always make it into the listing automatically.
  • How is this different from the standard catalog?
    The standard catalog covers the full range of Dakota's gemstone strands at working price points for production and repeatable designs. This selection pulls the strands within that catalog where the material itself is doing more of the work — better color, cleaner cut, scarcer origin, or a stone that doesn't run as a steady SKU. Many of the same stones appear in both places at different grades; for example, you'll find Turquoise rounds in the main Turquoise collection and also here when a specific lot warrants it. Use this view when the piece you're building needs the strand to stand on its own.
  • How is treatment handled on higher-grade material?
    Treatment is material-specific and should be noted. Common cases: most Turquoise on the market is stabilized — natural, untreated Turquoise is called out specifically when applicable. Ruby and Sapphire are commonly heat-treated; lead-glass-filled corundum is a separate category and labeled when present. Opal is generally untreated but can be backed or doublet-cut; that's noted by cut type. Amethyst, Citrine, and some Quartz varieties may be heat-treated or irradiated. If treatment status matters for your client disclosure and isn't on the listing, ask before buying — Dakota will check supplier records before the strand ships.