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Large Hole Beads

Large Hole Beads

Large hole beads are gemstone beads drilled for cord — a 2mm hole on the 6mm rounds, 2.5mm on the 8mm and 10mm, wide enough for leather, waxed cotton and fine macramé cord to pass straight through. The stone is the same as the standard strand, quartz and amethyst through jasper, agate and freshwater pearl; only the hole changes. On cord a bead slides or knots in place, and a single 8mm round of lapis or tiger eye on a length of leather is a finished piece.

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Products: 288

Rhodonite Large Hole Faceted 8mm Round - 8-inch - CLEARANCE

Original price $14.00 - Original price $14.00
Original price $14.00
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Current price $14.00

Rhodonite, whose name is derived from the Greek word for Rose, “rhodon,” is known for its pink, red and magenta hues. A Manganese inosilicate (...

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Original price $14.00 - Original price $14.00
Original price $14.00
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Current price $14.00

River Stone 10mm Round - Large Hole Beads

Original price $13.00 - Original price $13.00
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Current price $13.00

River Stone is a form of limestone composed of quartz, calcium carbonate and other materials. Naturally beautiful, it offers a way to work a neutra...

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Original price $13.00 - Original price $13.00
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River Stone 5x8mm Rondelle - Large Hole Beads

Original price $14.00 - Original price $14.00
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Current price $14.00

River Stone is a form of limestone composed of quartz, calcium carbonate and other materials. Naturally beautiful, it offers a way to work a neutra...

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Original price $14.00 - Original price $14.00
Original price $14.00
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Current price $14.00

River Stone 6mm Round - Large Hole Beads

Original price $10.00 - Original price $10.00
Original price $10.00
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Current price $10.00

River Stone is a form of limestone composed of quartz, calcium carbonate and other materials. Naturally beautiful, it offers a way to work a neutra...

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Original price $10.00 - Original price $10.00
Original price $10.00
$10.00
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Current price $10.00

River Stone 8mm Round - Large Hole Beads

Original price $11.00 - Original price $11.00
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Current price $11.00

River Stone is a form of limestone composed of quartz, calcium carbonate and other materials. Naturally beautiful, it offers a way to work a neutra...

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Original price $11.00 - Original price $11.00
Original price $11.00
$11.00
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Current price $11.00

Rose Quartz 10mm Large Hole Round 8-Inch

Original price $13.00 - Original price $13.00
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Current price $13.00

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...

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Original price $13.00 - Original price $13.00
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Rose Quartz 6mm Round Large Hole Beads - 8 Inch

Original price $9.00 - Original price $9.00
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Current price $9.00

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...

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Original price $9.00 - Original price $9.00
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Current price $9.00

Rose Quartz 8mm Faceted Rondelle Large Hole 8-Inch

Original price $16.00 - Original price $16.00
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Current price $16.00

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...

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Original price $16.00 - Original price $16.00
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Current price $16.00

Rose Quartz 8mm Large Hole Round - 8-Inch

Original price $12.00 - Original price $12.00
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Current price $12.00

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...

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Original price $12.00 - Original price $12.00
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Current price $12.00

Ruby Zoisite 6mm Round - Large Hole Beads

Original price $12.00 - Original price $12.00
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Ruby Zoisite occurs naturally when small Ruby crystals become embedded within Zoisite. The Ruby inclusions in this stone are pink to reddish purple...

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Original price $12.00 - Original price $12.00
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Ruby Zoisite 6mm Round Faceted - Large Hole Beads

Original price $15.00 - Original price $15.00
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Ruby Zoisite occurs naturally when small Ruby crystals become embedded within Zoisite. The Ruby inclusions in this stone are pink to reddish purple...

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Original price $15.00 - Original price $15.00
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Current price $15.00

Ruby Zoisite 8mm Round - Large Hole Beads

Original price $14.00 - Original price $14.00
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Current price $14.00

Ruby Zoisite occurs naturally when small Ruby crystals become embedded within Zoisite. The Ruby inclusions in this stone are pink to reddish purple...

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Original price $14.00 - Original price $14.00
Original price $14.00
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Current price $14.00

Selenite 8mm Round - Large Hole Beads

Original price $23.00 - Original price $23.00
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Current price $23.00

Selenite is a crystal formed from the mineral gypsum, which comes in many forms and color variations, but has been used historically to describe th...

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Original price $23.00 - Original price $23.00
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Silver Obsidian 8mm Large Hole Round - 8 Inch

Original price $18.00 - Original price $18.00
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Essentially a volcanic glass, Obsidian ranges in color from opaque black, to green, brown, mahogany, black with rainbow colors, black with snowflak...

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Original price $18.00 - Original price $18.00
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Sky Blue Marbled Quartz 6mm Round - Large Hole Beads

Original price $12.00 - Original price $12.00
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Marbeled or Mosaic Quartz is a composite stone made with a combination of dyed quartz and bronzite stone remnants from the cutting process mixed wi...

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Original price $12.00 - Original price $12.00
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Sky Blue Marbled Quartz 6mm Round Faceted - Large Hole Beads

Original price $15.00 - Original price $15.00
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Marbeled or Mosaic Quartz is a composite stone made with a combination of dyed quartz and bronzite stone remnants from the cutting process mixed wi...

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Original price $15.00 - Original price $15.00
Original price $15.00
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Current price $15.00

Sky Blue Marbled Quartz 8mm Round Faceted - Large Hole Beads

Original price $18.00 - Original price $18.00
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Current price $18.00

Marbeled or Mosaic Quartz is a composite stone made with a combination of dyed quartz and bronzite stone remnants from the cutting process mixed wi...

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Original price $18.00 - Original price $18.00
Original price $18.00
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Current price $18.00

Smoky Quartz 10x14mm Barrel - Large Hole Beads

Original price $16.00 - Original price $16.00
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Smoky Quartz is a translucent smoky brown or gray variety of Quartz. It ranges from almost completely transparent to an almost opaque brownish to g...

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Original price $16.00 - Original price $16.00
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Smoky Quartz 6mm Round Large Hole Beads - 8 Inch

Original price $12.00 - Original price $12.00
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Smoky Quartz is a translucent smoky brown or gray variety of Quartz. It ranges from almost completely transparent to an almost opaque brownish to g...

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Original price $12.00 - Original price $12.00
Original price $12.00
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Current price $12.00

Smoky Quartz 8mm Round Large Hole 8-Inch

Original price $15.00 - Original price $15.00
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Current price $15.00

Smoky Quartz is a translucent smoky brown or gray variety of Quartz. It ranges from almost completely transparent to an almost opaque brownish to g...

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Original price $15.00 - Original price $15.00
Original price $15.00
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Current price $15.00

Sodalite 8mm Faceted Rondelle Large Hole 8-Inch

Original price $19.00 - Original price $19.00
Original price $19.00
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Current price $19.00

Sodalite is named for its sodium content and may be classified as a feldspathoid. Blue Sodalite is sometimes referred to as “poor man’s lapis” beca...

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Original price $19.00 - Original price $19.00
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Sodalite 8mm Round Large Hole 8-Inch

Original price $12.00 - Original price $12.00
Original price $12.00
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Current price $12.00

Sodalite is named for its sodium content and may be classified as a feldspathoid. Blue Sodalite is sometimes referred to as “poor man’s lapis” beca...

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Original price $12.00 - Original price $12.00
Original price $12.00
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Current price $12.00

Sodalite Natural 6mm Round Large Hole Beads - 8 Inch

Original price $9.00 - Original price $9.00
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Current price $9.00

Sodalite is named for its sodium content and may be classified as a feldspathoid. Blue Sodalite is sometimes referred to as “poor man’s lapis” beca...

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Original price $9.00 - Original price $9.00
Original price $9.00
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Current price $9.00

Strawberry Quartz 8mm Round - Large Hole Beads

Original price $16.00 - Original price $16.00
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Strawberry Quartz is a translucent, milky to pink silicon dioxide mineral. Its needle to like inclusions of hematite are iridescent red. Quartz has...

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Original price $16.00 - Original price $16.00
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Sunset Dumortierite 10mm Large Hole Faceted Round - 8-Inch

Original price $17.00 - Original price $17.00
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Current price $17.00

Sunset Dumortierite has a much brighter palette than regular Dumortierite, from light blue to lapis blue to cobalt, as well as some occurrences of ...

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Original price $17.00 - Original price $17.00
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Current price $17.00

Sunset Dumortierite 6mm Faceted Round - Large Hole Beads

Original price $13.00 - Original price $13.00
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Current price $13.00

Sunset Dumortierite has a much brighter palette than regular Dumortierite, from light blue to lapis blue to cobalt, as well as some occurrences of ...

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Original price $13.00 - Original price $13.00
Original price $13.00
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Current price $13.00

Sunset Dumortierite 6mm Round - Large Hole Beads

Original price $11.00 - Original price $11.00
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Current price $11.00

Sunset Dumortierite has a much brighter palette than regular Dumortierite, from light blue to lapis blue to cobalt, as well as some occurrences of ...

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Original price $11.00 - Original price $11.00
Original price $11.00
$11.00
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Current price $11.00

Sunset Dumortierite 8mm Faceted Rondelle Large Hole 8-Inch

Original price $19.00 - Original price $19.00
Original price $19.00
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Current price $19.00

Sunset Dumortierite has a much brighter palette than regular Dumortierite, from light blue to lapis blue to cobalt, as well as some occurrences of ...

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Original price $19.00 - Original price $19.00
Original price $19.00
$19.00
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Current price $19.00

Sunset Dumortierite 8mm Large Hole Rondelle 8-Inch

Original price $16.00 - Original price $16.00
Original price $16.00
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Current price $16.00

Sunset Dumortierite has a much brighter palette than regular Dumortierite, from light blue to lapis blue to cobalt, as well as some occurrences of ...

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Original price $16.00 - Original price $16.00
Original price $16.00
$16.00
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Current price $16.00

Sunset Dumortierite 8mm Large Hole Round - 8-Inch

Original price $15.00 - Original price $15.00
Original price $15.00
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Current price $15.00

Sunset Dumortierite has a much brighter palette than regular Dumortierite, from light blue to lapis blue to cobalt, as well as some occurrences of ...

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Original price $15.00 - Original price $15.00
Original price $15.00
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Current price $15.00

Tiger Eye 10mm Round Large Hole 8-Inch

Original price $14.00 - Original price $14.00
Original price $14.00
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Current price $14.00

Tiger Eye is a macrocrystalline Quartz stone with bands of rich golds and browns. Its chatoyant layers that create a flash which seems to emanate f...

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Original price $14.00 - Original price $14.00
Original price $14.00
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Tiger Eye 8mm Large Hole Faceted Round - 8-Inch

Original price $14.00 - Original price $14.00
Original price $14.00
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Current price $14.00

Tiger Eye is a macrocrystalline Quartz stone with bands of rich golds and browns. Its chatoyant layers that create a flash which seems to emanate f...

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Original price $14.00 - Original price $14.00
Original price $14.00
$14.00
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Current price $14.00

Tiger Eye 8mm Round Large Hole 8-Inch

Original price $12.00 - Original price $12.00
Original price $12.00
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Current price $12.00

Red Tiger Eye is actually Brown Tiger Eye which has been heat treated to bring out the red color. This macrocrystalline Quartz stone has chatoyant ...

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Original price $12.00 - Original price $12.00
Original price $12.00
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Current price $12.00

Tiger Eye Natural 6mm Round Matte Large Hole Beads - 8 Inch

Original price $11.00 - Original price $11.00
Original price $11.00
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Current price $11.00

Tiger Eye is a macrocrystalline Quartz stone with bands of rich golds and browns. Its chatoyant layers that create a flash which seems to emanate f...

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Original price $11.00 - Original price $11.00
Original price $11.00
$11.00
$11.00 - $11.00
Current price $11.00

Tiger Eye Yellow 6mm Round Faceted Large Hole Beads - 8 Inch - CLEARANCE

Original price $13.00 - Original price $13.00
Original price $13.00
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Current price $13.00

Tiger Eye is a macrocrystalline Quartz stone with bands of rich golds and browns. Its chatoyant layers that create a flash which seems to emanate f...

View full details
Original price $13.00 - Original price $13.00
Original price $13.00
$13.00
$13.00 - $13.00
Current price $13.00

Tiger Eye Yellow 6mm Round Large Hole Beads - 8 Inch

Original price $11.00 - Original price $11.00
Original price $11.00
$11.00
$11.00 - $11.00
Current price $11.00

Tiger Eye is a macrocrystalline Quartz stone with bands of rich golds and browns. Its chatoyant layers that create a flash which seems to emanate f...

View full details
Original price $11.00 - Original price $11.00
Original price $11.00
$11.00
$11.00 - $11.00
Current price $11.00

Trolleite 8mm Large Hole Round - 8 Inch

Original price $25.00 - Original price $25.00
Original price $25.00
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Current price $25.00

Trolleite is an extremely rare aluminum phosphate mineral that crystallizes in the form of masses and small prismatic crystals. It is made up of qu...

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Original price $25.00 - Original price $25.00
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Current price $25.00

Unakite 10mm Round - Large Hole Beads

Original price $11.00 - Original price $11.00
Original price $11.00
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Current price $11.00

Unakite is a granite composed of pink Feldspar and Epidote, creating a beautiful blend of pink and green in mottled patterns. The colors in this st...

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Original price $11.00 - Original price $11.00
Original price $11.00
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Current price $11.00

Unakite 6mm Round - Large Hole Beads

Original price $8.00 - Original price $8.00
Original price $8.00
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Current price $8.00

Unakite is a granite composed of pink Feldspar and Epidote, creating a beautiful blend of pink and green in mottled patterns. The colors in this st...

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Original price $8.00 - Original price $8.00
Original price $8.00
$8.00
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Current price $8.00

Unakite 8mm Round - Large Hole Beads

Original price $9.00 - Original price $9.00
Original price $9.00
$9.00
$9.00 - $9.00
Current price $9.00

Unakite is a granite composed of pink Feldspar and Epidote, creating a beautiful blend of pink and green in mottled patterns. The colors in this st...

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Original price $9.00 - Original price $9.00
Original price $9.00
$9.00
$9.00 - $9.00
Current price $9.00

White Howlite 6mm Round Large Hole Beads - 8 Inch

Original price $10.00 - Original price $10.00
Original price $10.00
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Current price $10.00

White Howlite is named for Canadian mineralogist Henry How, who first discovered the stone in Southern California in 1868. It is typically white or...

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Original price $10.00 - Original price $10.00
Original price $10.00
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Current price $10.00

White Howlite 6mm Round Matte Large Hole Beads - 8 Inch - CLEARANCE

Original price $10.00 - Original price $10.00
Original price $10.00
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Current price $10.00

White Howlite is named for Canadian mineralogist Henry How, who first discovered the stone in Southern California in 1868. It is typically white or...

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Original price $10.00 - Original price $10.00
Original price $10.00
$10.00
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Current price $10.00

White Howlite 8mm Large Hole Round 8-Inch

Original price $12.00 - Original price $12.00
Original price $12.00
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Current price $12.00

White Howlite is named for Canadian mineralogist Henry How, who first discovered the stone in Southern California in 1868. It is typically white or...

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Original price $12.00 - Original price $12.00
Original price $12.00
$12.00
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Current price $12.00

Wood Rhodonite 6mm Faceted Round Large Hole Beads - 8 Inch

Original price $13.00 - Original price $13.00
Original price $13.00
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Current price $13.00

Rhodonite, whose name is derived from the Greek word for Rose, “rhodon,” is known for its pink, red and magenta hues. A Manganese inosilicate (or c...

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Original price $13.00 - Original price $13.00
Original price $13.00
$13.00
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Current price $13.00

Wood Rhodonite 6mm Round Large Hole Beads - 8 Inch

Original price $11.00 - Original price $11.00
Original price $11.00
$11.00
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Current price $11.00

Rhodonite, whose name is derived from the Greek word for Rose, “rhodon,” is known for its pink, red and magenta hues. A Manganese inosilicate (or c...

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Original price $11.00 - Original price $11.00
Original price $11.00
$11.00
$11.00 - $11.00
Current price $11.00

Yellow Jade 10mm Large Hole Round 8-Inch

Original price $14.00 - Original price $14.00
Original price $14.00
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Current price $14.00

Yellow Jade is not actually Jade, but a form of natural Serpentine which is commonly referred to as Yellow Jade in the stone industry. This semi to...

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Original price $14.00 - Original price $14.00
Original price $14.00
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Current price $14.00

Yellow Jade 8mm Faceted Large Hole Round - 8-Inch

Original price $13.00 - Original price $13.00
Original price $13.00
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Current price $13.00

Yellow Jade is not actually Jade, but a form of natural Serpentine which is commonly referred to as Yellow Jade in the stone industry. This semi-tr...

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Original price $13.00 - Original price $13.00
Original price $13.00
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Current price $13.00

Yellow Jade 8mm Large Hole Round - 8-Inch

Original price $12.00 - Original price $12.00
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Current price $12.00

Yellow Jade is not actually Jade, but a form of natural Serpentine which is commonly referred to as Yellow Jade in the stone industry. This semi to...

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Original price $12.00 - Original price $12.00
Original price $12.00
$12.00
$12.00 - $12.00
Current price $12.00
Gemstone beads with 2mm and 2.5mm holes

Gemstone beads with 2mm and 2.5mm holes

A standard gemstone bead is drilled at 0.8mm to 1.2mm, sized for beading wire and silk. These are drilled at 2mm on the 6mm beads and 2.5mm on the 8mm and 10mm — a bore that takes 1.5mm and 2mm leather, waxed cotton, satin cord and fine macramé cord. The drilling is ultrasonic, a fine abrasive driven through the stone by high-frequency vibration, so the hole runs straight and one width from end to end with a clean edge. The bead itself is the same stone, the same cut and polish as the standard strand — only the hole changes.
Large hole pearls, turquoise, quartz, agate and jasper

Large hole pearls, turquoise, quartz, agate and jasper

The strands run across the stone range. Quartz carries the largest share — crystal, rose, smoky and rutilated — with amethyst, amazonite, lapis, sodalite and tiger eye beside it; jasper and agate bring the patterned stones, picture and red creek jasper, Botswana, blue lace and crazy lace agate; labradorite, aquamarine, garnet, jade, rhodonite, African turquoise, lava and obsidian fill out the rest. Freshwater pearls come drilled the same way, potato, rice and button shapes at 2mm, in white and in dyed colors. Most of the stone is natural; carnelian and onyx are the traditional heated-and-dyed exceptions, and African turquoise is stabilized.
6mm, 8mm and 10mm on 8-inch strands — for leather cord and macramé

6mm, 8mm and 10mm on 8-inch strands — for leather cord and macramé

Three sizes do most of the work: 6mm on a 2mm hole for finer cord and lighter pieces, 8mm as the everyday size, 10mm where a piece wants weight. Rounds carry the range — smooth, faceted or matte — with faceted rondelles beside them and 10x14mm barrels for a long bead on cord. Strands are 8 inches — about twenty-five 8mm beads, a leather bracelet's worth. On 1.5mm to 2mm leather the beads slide, so a knot on either side holds each one in place; on 1mm to 2mm macramé cord they take square knots and sliding closures. Hardness runs from the softer pearls and howlite up to Mohs 6.5–7 on the quartz family and agate, so the softer strands keep clear of water and perfume.

Frequently asked questions

  • What is a large hole bead and what cord fits through it?
    A large hole bead is drilled at 2mm or wider, where a standard gemstone bead is drilled at about 0.8mm to 1.2mm for beading wire and silk. The wider bore takes cord: 1mm and 1.5mm round leather, 2mm round or flat leather, waxed cotton, satin (rat-tail) cord, hemp and macramé cord in the 1mm to 2mm range, or several strands of a fine cord together. Cord should pass freely — stone holes do not stretch — so match the cord to the listed hole size with a little clearance.
  • What hole size do large hole gemstone beads have?
    Two bores cover nearly everything: 2mm on the 6mm beads and 2.5mm on the 8mm and 10mm beads. Freshwater pearls are drilled at 2mm. Some strands are listed as 2–2.5mm where the bore varies bead to bead within that range, and a few run 2–3mm. The drilling is ultrasonic, so the hole holds one width from end to end with a clean edge, and the hole size is given on each listing beside the bead size.
  • What are large hole beads used for?
    Leather cord is the main use: bracelets and necklaces on 1.5mm to 2mm round leather, with the beads knotted in place or left to slide. Macramé and knotted jewelry on 1mm to 2mm cord is the second, the beads worked into square knots, half hitches and sliding closures. They also string on satin and rat-tail cord, waxed cotton, hemp, micro paracord and kumihimo braids fine enough to pass a 2mm hole, and one bead on a knotted cord is a finished piece by itself. Because the cord carries the bead, a piece sits and drapes with more movement than one strung tight on wire.
  • Which gemstones come with large holes?
    Most of the stone range has been drilled this way at one time or another — more than a hundred stones over the life of the line. The quartz family is the largest group: crystal, rose, smoky and rutilated quartz, with amethyst beside them. Jaspers and agates follow — picture, red creek, ocean and impression jasper; Botswana, blue lace, crazy lace and flower agate — then amazonite, lapis, sodalite, tiger eye, aventurine, jade, rhodonite, labradorite, aquamarine, garnet, African turquoise, obsidian, onyx, carnelian, howlite and lava, plus freshwater pearl in potato, rice, button and baroque shapes. Most are natural; dyed, heated or stabilized strands are labelled where known, and the man-made glass beads — opalite, goldstone — are named as such.
  • What size cord fits a 2mm or 2.5mm hole?
    Allow clearance. A 2mm hole passes 1mm and 1.5mm round leather and most 1mm to 1.5mm cords; a 2.5mm hole passes 2mm round leather, 2mm flat leather on edge, or two strands of 1mm cord. Leather is rarely perfectly round, so the cord should slide through without forcing. Bead diameter is a separate measure — an 8mm and a 10mm bead here share the same 2.5mm bore — so diameter sets the look and weight of a piece while the hole sets the cord. A knot in 1.5mm to 2mm leather is wider than the hole, which is what holds a bead in place on cord.