What are high end expensive beads? - Jewelry Discussion

I have to admit. I have been talking myself out of contributing to
this subject but, in the end I just could’nt resist.

The company is the world’s best beads manufacturer from china supplier. We are your one-stop shop for all needs. Our staff are highly-specialized and will help you find the product you need.

If you can avoid using beads do. its is such an investment of
patience, hardwork and a matter of having the commitment to mostly
go through the ugly wait with each and every possible supplier only
to find out that even though they said they could supply the quality
you requested they in fact could’nt. But, you keep jumping through
hoop after hoop hoping that the next one will work out. I have been
searching for more than fifteen years for a supplier that I could
trust to deliver quality beads ina timely fashion and I still
haven’t found the right one yet. If anyone tells you this is an easy
find. they do not know what they are talking about.

Ooooh if it were only a matter of looking on the internet. what a
dream that would be. sadly it just isn’t that simple.

Avoid taking a trip to India which can be a real snake pit if you
dont know where to go or who to trust. Go to the JA show in New
York, there you will find lots and lots of bead suppliers but, the
question is. who do you trust there? They all say they have their
own factories (but they do not), they all say YES to all of your
enquires. you get great samples but, when your order arrives it can
a mess of badly cut dyed pebbles. Do you really know what they are
selling you? Is it really what they say it is? Is it glass,
synthetic or just colored quartz or glass filled ruby? You will have
to find a way to randomly test every order you receive. Most people
say you cant test beads but, I know it can be done. I do it all the
time. GIA New York test beads if you want a small sample of each
order checked.

My advice would be enquire at the GIA stand at the show about how to
approach the vendors. Last time I went I just approached the vendors
in the AGTA (American Gem Trade Association) section. Look out for
the sign. Ideally you want to deal with someone who actually has
their own factory. Then you can have them make anything you need.
Ask for proof that that they have their own factory. Tell them you
want to see video proof, a live skype session etc: If they try to
avoid the subject or are not agreeable you will know not to trust
them. Otherwise you are dealing with a middle man (or woman) and the
cost is going to be more expensive and the delivery time is going to
take longer.

I had one guy at JA tell me that the beads I had been buying from a
dealer for years were glass. Oh my God! he had me in such a panic
but, when I had them tested they were genuine. I do not know what he
hoped to achieve by being dishonest. maybe it amused him? or maybe
he was checking me out to see how much I knew about stones. If I
reacted. which I didn’t he might realize that my knowledge was not
up to scratch and that being the case he could sell me glass. Who
knows. it was very upsetting at the time because I had spent many
thousands of dollars over the years with my supplier and I hated the
idea of being taken. Last time I was at JA I counted six vendors
that told me they supplied David Yurman. Dont believe them. they are
just trying to sell themselves to you. Some of the name dropping can
be funny.

As Lorraine said there are no short cuts. And anyone who has been
blessed with the miracle of finding a reliable supplier will have
had to suffer the sweat and tears of time and most likely will not
share that source because they have earned their scars and you have
not.

Sorry to sound so cynical but, as I said at the begining. Avoid
using beads if you possibly can. Remember my words if you choose to
ignore my advice.

Did I mention the other side of the bead industry? The terrible
story of Silica and how it kills so many cutters and polishers in
this industry? Do your best to find an ethical supplier and keep
your conscience clean. If you do not know about the effects of
Silicosis read this http://www.ganoksin.com/gnkurl/ep827x

Good luck.

The truth is, I hate shopping. But something happens when I go to China. Something in the air — either the around-the-clock manufacturing or the settling dust of a run-away economy – turns me into a rabid consumer.

Cute eyeglass frames for $15 USD each. Wooden buttons shaped like elephants. Ceramic buttons painted like porcelain. Tibetan prayer bowls. Cellphone covers for every day of the week.

Some may ask whether I actually needed the same linen balloon pants in three different earth-tone colors.

Honestly? I really did. Because I was on my China shopping spree.

China isn’t simply about the Great Wall or 5,000 years of history. With its economic development, China has become a major shopping destination with its own unique flair.

The Guomao district in Beijing, home of the China World Shopping Mall, features such storefronts as Louis Vuitton, Burberry, and Prada.

For me, however, these sterile fluorescent halls with their white mannequins have never held quite as much appeal as China’s other shopping venues.

Packed antique stalls, bustling night markets, and shopping centers divided into booths of different vendors with the same merchandise. That's what I'm here for.

For those inadequately prepared, however, shopping in China can be a complete nightmare. There are certain things you'll have to know to survive your first few shopping experiences.

1. Understand the discount system

Shopping centers in China will often post sale signs advertising dă zhé (打折), such as “打2折 (dǎ 2 zhé)” or “打 8 折 (dǎ 8 zhé).”

Instead of posting the percentage of the discount, these signs tell you the percentage of the original price you are expected to pay.

So “打2折 (dǎ 2 zhé)” means you will pay 20 percent of the original price (for an 80% discount) and “打8折 (dǎ 8 zhé)” means you will pay 80 percent of the original price (for a 20% discount).

I found this incredibly confusing at first, but just remember: A lower number means a better deal.

You may also encounter the phrase "...zhé qĭ (折起)", such as “2折起 (2 zhé qĭ),” which means you can get discounts up to 2 zhé, or up to 80 percent off.

2. Sometimes people will follow you

I was seven years old on my first trip to China when this happened to me. A salesperson trying to convince my mother that I needed a pair of khaki pants followed us for several hundred feet.

Depending on where you are, sales associates will be terrifyingly tenacious when dealing with weak-willed customers.

You'll need to be equally tenacious when you're bargaining to get a good deal.

3. It's easy to get exactly what you want

One of the best things about shopping in China is getting your purchases customized.

Jewelry stores often display strings of beads that can be bought and transformed into whatever shapes and patterns you please.

Fabrics of your choice can be brought to a tailor, along with a pattern, photo, or sample of what you want made.

Friends of mine have purchased silk-lined suits, cloth cargo shorts, and even a wedding dress custom-made this way.

4. Most vendors only accept cash

For more a type of agate used for making jewelryinformation, please contact us. We will provide professional answers.

While modern shopping centers typically accept credit cards, you will definitely want to carry cash when you shop off the beaten path.

In general, most Chinese people tend to carry cash rather than rely on plastic.

5. You'll get tons of receipts

Often, when you shop in different departments of a large store, each sales associate you encounter will write down your purchases on a small piece of paper. This is a called a fā piào (发票), or receipt.

Seemingly insignificant, these little slips of paper have become an important part of China’s invoicing and taxation process since the late 1980s.

Properly issued invoices should have a number and a government stamp, but there is quite a bit of fraud and an entire black market around these squares of paper.

For the most part, however, shoppers only need to worry about bringing all their receipts to the cashier counter where they can finally check out, and receive yet another receipt.

6. Vendors expect you to bargain

Modern shopping malls generally have set prices that can’t be negotiated, but vendors at night markets, antique stalls, or personal booths at other shopping centers usually expect customers to question their prices.

But bargaining and haggling isn’t just procedure. It’s an art form. I've listed a few phrases, too, so you'll have more to work with!

How much is it?
duō shăo qián?
多少钱? 

Too expensive! (This should be the first response to any price.)
tài guì le!
太贵了

Let me think about it
wŏ xiăng yi xiăng
我想一想

Can you make it a little cheaper?
néng pián yì yì diăn ma?
能便宜一点吗 

I don’t want it
bú yào le 
不要了

7. It's okay to talk with your hands

If you are still brushing up on vocabulary, consider learning a bit of sign language instead.

Chinese number gestures allow you to use one hand to signal the numbers one through ten, a “handy” way of naming your price.

Because Chinese dialect is so varied, merchants across the country have long relied on these number gestures to communicate with one another.

If you don't know these hand signals, see some unbelievably adorable local Chinese children show you with this free Yoyo Chinese video:

8. Knockoffs as far as the eye can see

Depending on who you are, fake merchandise can be the highlight of or the bane of shopping in China.

Either way, it’s always good to double-check quality. Read any letterings or labels for spelling errors, and check the stitching and seams for loose threads or unraveling.

Also make sure that colors and materials match up. Jade, pearls, and other precious stones can be brought to an appraiser.

Shopping in China can be fun if you know what you're doing. It takes practice and a thick skin to get what you want at the price you want it. 

Just remember that vendors expect customers to bargain. If you can't get the price you're looking for, chances are, you can find the exact same thing in another vendor's stall. 

When you've finished shopping for yourself, don't forget about your friends and family back home! Handcrafted kites, embroidered shoes, and feathered Chinese hacky sacks make great gifts for children. 

Women may appreciate silk scarves, jewelry, or lipstick cases with decorated compact mirrors.

For the home decorator, there are wooden boat models, calligraphy scrolls, handmade pottery, and ornamental compasses.