DISCLAIMER: We recommend you seek a licensed Appraiser to physically inspect beads, jewelry, and objects, in order to confirm the specifications provided, as measurements and inspections are furnished by observation and not a licensed professional.
➤ MILLIMETERS:
We follow the convention of using millimeters to measure beads, and we use inches to measure all other items larger than 10mm. We've also included a US quarter coin in each photo to provide a sense of scale for those who may not be familiar with millimeter sizing.
➤ LENGTH, WIDTH, & DIAMETER:
When two dimensions are mentioned, the length of the perforation (bead hole) is always listed first. For example, an oval-shaped bead listed as "10x4mm", would be 10mm long (along the perforation), but only 4mm wide at its widest point. For a round bead, or any other shape of bead that has the same length as width, we only use one measurement (example: 6mm). Since the more important, and consistent, measurement for multi-faceted, unusual, and rondelles or heishi-shaped beads is the diameter, we often use only that measurement for those beads as well.
➤ SPECIFIC GRAVITY:
We measure the Specific Gravity (SF) of loose gemstone and amber beads only.
The Specific Gravity measures the weight of a bead in water and is used to confirm the authenticity of its material by measuring the internal density–how compact the molecules are within the bead. This is especially useful for beads made of organic materials such as: gemstones and amber. Some organic beads are sold in the open market and described as genuine although they are actually plastic or composed of different materials. Providing the Specific Gravity prevents collectors from purchasing fakes and provides an additional level of trust.
As for glass, metal, bone, and other beads, we don't measure their Specific Gravity since their material can be easily confirmed through temperature and weight. Bead strands are also not measured in order to maintain the integrity of the strand.
➤ FLUORESCENCE:
We measure the Fluorescence of loose gemstone and amber beads only.
Fluorescence is used to describe the physical reaction of a bead by mapping its geographic origin, structural integrity, and age. Because natural amber is fossilized tree resin that has undergone millions of years of chemical bonding, it reacts predictably when exposed to UV light. Fluorescence also informs the collector of the presence of modern dyes, surface imperfections, and synthetic resins. Observation is used to to determine the overall condition of the bead.