Terahertz Beads and Specimens

Frequently asked questions

• Is terahertz a natural gemstone?

  No. Terahertz is a manufactured material — sintered or fused from silicon-rich feedstock and finished to a mirror polish. It was developed in Japan in the 2010s and entered the bead market under the "terahertz" trade name. It is not mined and does not occur naturally. Dakota describes terahertz as a synthetic material on the collection page and in the product description; if you need additional sourcing detail, ask before buying.
• What is terahertz made of?

  Terahertz is a silicon-based manufactured material, produced by sintering or fusing silicon-rich feedstock. The finished bead is dense, hard (Mohs approximately 7), and takes an exceptional mirror polish — the visual signature is a deep metallic-gray to near-black surface with a near-reflective finish. Because the material is manufactured rather than mined, beads within a strand are uniform in color and luster, with no natural pattern or inclusion variation.
• How is terahertz different from hematite or shungite?

  Terahertz, hematite, and shungite all occupy the same dark metallic-gray to black register in the bead palette, but they are different materials. Hematite is a natural iron oxide with a slightly warmer steel-gray cast; shungite is a natural carbon-rich mineraloid with a softer matte-to-semi-polished finish; terahertz is a synthetic silicon-based material with a more uniform mirror polish than either natural can achieve. Designers cross-shopping the metallic-gray category often choose by polish character — terahertz for the mirror finish, hematite for the slightly warmer natural-stone register, shungite for the matte natural-stone register.
• How durable is terahertz for daily wear?

  Mohs approximately 7. Durable enough for any jewelry application including rings, bracelets, and necklaces. Standard care: wipe with a soft cloth and mild soap. Because the material is synthetic and untreated, there is no dye fade risk. The one care note specific to terahertz is the mirror polish — fine scratches can accumulate over time if the beads are stored loose with harder stones (corundum, topaz, garnet); store with soft separators to preserve the surface.
• What sizes does Dakota carry?

  Our active terahertz inventory centers on 6mm rounds, with 8mm, 10mm, and a 7mm size also stocked. All current SKUs are round; the metallic-gray color is consistent across the variety because the material is manufactured rather than mined. Full size availability is filterable in the grid above; designers replenishing an existing design can confirm exact strand specifications on each listing.