Diamond Gemstone Beads

Frequently asked questions

• Are these real diamonds?

  Yes. Every diamond strand in Dakota's catalog is natural diamond — carbon crystallized under high pressure in the Earth's mantle, mined, cut, and drilled at small sizes (2mm to 4mm) for use as accent beads in designer jewelry. These are not cubic zirconia, moissanite, or other simulants. Origin (Australia or India) is disclosed; ask before buying if it isn't specified.
• Where do diamond beads come from?

  Dakota's active diamond bead inventory traces to two origins: Australia and India. Australia's Argyle mine in the Kimberley region was the world's leading source of natural-color browns, grays, and pinks until its closure in November 2020; remaining Australian-origin material in the bead trade was cut and stockpiled before that closure. India is both a diamond-producing region (the Panna district, historically) and the dominant global center for cutting and drilling small diamond beads — the majority of finished diamond bead strands worldwide pass through Indian cutting centers regardless of where the rough was mined.
• Are the colors natural?

  Yes — every active diamond strand in Dakota's catalog is tagged Natural. The gray, black, salt-and-pepper, occasional blue, and occasional purple colors are intrinsic to the rough. The broader market includes irradiated black and irradiated blue diamond beads that visually resemble the natural-color material; treatment status should be disclosed, and ask before buying if it isn't specified.
• What sizes do diamond beads come in?

  Dakota's stocked range is 2mm to 4mm — these are accent beads, not focal stones. The dominant sizes are 2mm and 3mm with some 3–4mm; larger diamond beads exist but are specialty-order and not part of the regular catalog. Designers planning a piece around diamond beads should plan for the accent scale and pair with larger focal stones from other materials.
• How durable are diamond beads, and how do I string them?

  Diamond is Mohs 10 — the hardest natural material; no scratch concerns. The consideration with natural-color diamond is the inclusion sites — salt-and-pepper diamond has internal inclusions that can be cleavage points under sharp impact, so avoid hard blows on the bead surface. For stringing, the drill holes are small (laser-drilled or diamond-drilled at this size); use fine beading wire (0.010"–0.014") rather than standard cord, and confirm drill diameter before ordering wire.