Pop Beads and Pearls

Pop Beads

While setting up a recent jewelry piece on iKandies Etsy site, our Pearl Clasp Necklace, I was reminded of a necklace I had as a little girl.  Maybe you remember them - pop bead necklaces? These plastic beads fit together in such a way that when you pulled them apart, they made a small "pop" sound and thus the name.  These pop beads made wonderful "pearl" necklaces and bracelets any girl would love to have!


Today, what girl wouldn't love to have a strand of genuine Mikimoto pearls! But most of us have to settle for something a little less. Pearls used in many of today's jewelry designs may not be Mikimoto class, but they're just as pretty.


For example, several online stores are now selling shell pearls. The materials used in order to make shell pearls are the same materials from which cultured pearls are made. The core is made from carved seashell, usually formed into a round shape.  This is coated with a shell finish, containing mother of pearl that has been ground down to a fine powder.  Although man made, these pearls are of high quality so they are very durable and maintain their original shine.  Their color is not affected by perfume, detergent or skin oils.

Another example are glass pearls.  Swarovski Company is known for producing some of the highest quality glass pearls.Swarovski pearls have a core of the finest Austrian crystal and are coated with several layers of highly luminous pearlescense. The surface of the pearl is smooth and they are similar to natural pearls in weight and the way they feel against the skin.  Swarovski Crystal pearls are resistant to damage caused by sunlight and skin oils.

Spring is here and summer is right around the corner.  As you shop for pearl accessories for this year's wardrobe, iKandies hopes this information will assist you in making the perfect jewelry selection.

iKandies Pearl Clasp Necklace and Matching Earrings

iKandies is blogging again!

Well, it's been a long time since I posted on iKandies Beads on the Block blog. Been working on our website and Etsy site, and boy, did they need a remake!  Our website, iKandies, has been reduced to just a few informational pages.  A sample of our jewelry designs that are for sale appear on the home page but traffic is being redirected to our Etsy site.  The iKandies site provides information about our company, our designers and our shop policies.  We also feature new designs we've added to the Etsy site. 
   Over 60 items are now available for sale on our Etsy site.  We've added newer, more descriptive photos of our designs.  We are featuring a sale at least once a month and are offering special coupons for first time buyers once they make a purchase. 

Abalone and Sterling Necklace

Fall Acrylic Necklace

Here's a sample of two of our newer listings:






We plan to add new items on a regular basis so please visit  iKandies and our Etsy shop today!