My latest article about Wedding Jewelry 2008 trends mentioned emerald beads as a cost conscious alternative to emerald gemstones. I also have a few images accompanying that article of various strands of emerald beads.
Wondering where I bought them?
It's a process to purchase reasonably priced precious gemstone beads. You just have to keep your eye out and be ready to buy when you find them.
The spring green emerald necklace with ruby beads - I purchased the emerald gemstrand on ebay for $137. All gemstrands come temporarily strung. I restrung the purchase using about 1/2 the beads on the strand. So two emerald necklaces for $137 - not bad. The emerald is a very light green indicating that it's not the best of specimen but it is faceted and has alot of flash.
Two other venues - Fire Mountain Gems will occasionally carry faceted ruby, sapphire and emerald gemstrand. Make sure it clearly states 'faceted'. WIthout the facet you won't have the flash. So does The Earth Bazaar.