Beads…Beads…. Beads…. it’s our passion
at Ben Franklin! Yes, Ben Franklin’s most unique area is
our bead department. Rich Para, GIA Graduate Gemologist, (G.G.)
and his wife, Roseann have taken this small town store to a new
level. They began in Sycamore, in a small store front as Sweet
Earth Jewelry Company & Flower Market. Beads, hand made jewelry,
jewelry repair and European style cash & carry fresh flower
stop were the theme.
In a few years they out grew their location. At that same
time the local Ben Franklin went up for sale. In business for over
65 years, the Ben Franklin was slowly changing from a variety store
to a craft store. One of the hottest craft trends at the time was
jewelry making. The Para’s saw the perfect opportunity to
stay in downtown Sycamore and merge the two businesses. That’s
the story of why Ben Franklin in Sycamore has the largest bead
department in Northern Illinois.
Beads are not a new fascination. Beads through out the world
cultures have been used for personal adornment, religious purpose,
talismans and as curative agents as long as 5000 years ago. In
the US beads and jewelry making have increased tremendously.
Now at Ben Franklin we have used our bead purchasing expertise
to create something special. The result is a quality collection
of exceptional beads, all at a fair Ben Franklin price. Beads can
be purchased loose, by the strand or packaged. Strands and packages
are the most economical for the customer.
Types of beads on the market today are unlimited. Jewelry hobbyist
can now purchase many types of beads that were exclusive to jewelry
manufacturers. A perfect example is Swarovski crystal beads.
Swarovski crystal beads are extremely beautiful. These brilliant
colored beads flash and sparkle from the facets cut into each bead.
At Ben Franklin, we have the largest color selection of Swarovski
crystal beads than any bead stores. We carry plain, Aurora Borealis,
(AB), satins, and 2XX AB finishes. Our emphasis is in Styles: #5301-bi-cone
shape, #5000-round shape, and #5601-square shape. We also carry
many teardrops, briolettes, roundels, donuts, crondells, squaredells,
and pearls. We have over 150 different colors, over 2500 strands
in stock! Please call if you are looking for something special.
We can’t guarantee we can get want you seek, but we will
always try—because we just love beads!
Nice compliments to Swarovski crystal are fresh water pearls.
We stock white, ivory, and pinks as well as exotic peacock blue,
sage or olivine green. Pearls are perfect for bridal party designs.
Beyond our crystal collection is our unsurpassed precious stone
bead selection. Choose from strands of goldstone in gold, blue
and green. The long list includes, Smokey Quartz, Blue Quartz,
Rose Quartz, Strawberry Quartz, Unikite, Carnelian, Lapis, Malachite,
Fancy Jasper, Opal Jasper, Zebra Jasper, Black Onyx, Blue Onyx,
Red Jade, Yellow Jade, Green Jade, Garnet, Tourmaline, Chalcedony,
Mother of Pearl, Abalone, Aventurine, Peridot, and Turquoise, Botswana
Agate, Azurite, Hematite and Magnetic Hematite and more. The
sizes and shapes vary within each type. We carry 4, 6 and 8m round
in most varieties. Shapes include teardrop, tubes, rice, roundel,
oval, facets, pillow, button, stars and leaves.
Glass beads are available in strands and packages. Most glass
beads originate from the Czech Republic, Germany, Italy, China,
Japan, USA, and India. We have a great value Czech glass bead strand
at only $2.00 each for an 8” strand. We also have the glass “millefiore” beads.
Later this year we hope to complete our line of vintage German
glass beads. We have the full color spectrum and finishes in glass
beads, including authentic Japanese optic beads, plain & faceted.
Our Japanese and Czech seed beads are available in Size 6, Size
8, Size 11, Size 15 and pebble. Hex-cuts and square cuts are also
stocked. We have a small selection of Delia’s on hand, but
look to expand in this area.
Our collection of pendants and focal point beads is always updated
and changes with trends. Currently Dichroic beads, hand blown pendants,
precious stone and Swarovski Crystal pendants are in stock. If
we see something we like we stock it!
Metal beads come in precious metals: 14kt gold filled and sterling
silver. All our precious metal beads are properly labeled so you
get what you pay for. Our best selling sterling silver beads are
available in various shapes and sizes. We have an outstanding collection
of Bali Style, (Bali refers to the origin), antique sterling silver
beads in unusual shapes, even some with marcasite and copper enhancements.
We carry a wide selection of plated beads in silver, gold and
copper. Also Bali style plated antique silver, antique gold, and
antique copper.
Remember we always have an experienced repair and design person
available to assist you. Our GIA gemologist and bench jewelry is
also available for more technical questions.
Open Monday through Saturday, we cater to the bead and jewelry
lover.
Charms have been enchanting people since prehistoric times. Charms
have been used to ward off evil spirits, protect loved ones, enhance
love life and assure prosperity.
Egyptian goldsmiths were the first to develop the ability to cast
gold using the lost-wax technique, to create charms. This method
is still used today.
Charms became more popular and available to the general population
after the 1800’s. The machine age prompted lower cost allowing
the growing middle class to purchase more charms.
After World War II, many American soldiers returned home with
souvenir charms for the cities they had liberated. Jewelers in
the US soon added charms of various metals, styles, and occasions
to their lines.
Today charms are as popular as ever. The first piece of fine jewelry
a young child receives is typically a charm of faith. Thus a “lifetime” bracelet
can be started. Each charm represents a sentimental journey you
can hold in your hand!
At Ben Franklin we carry the finest quality charms still hand
finished by Rembrandt Charms. One of the oldest charm company in
the USA, with all charms made right here. All of the charms have
exceptional detail. Some charms even open and close. Every charm
is available in
Tarnish resistant Sterling Silver, Gold Plate, 10kt and 14kt Gold
and now White 14kt Gold, all have a lifetime warranty. Many of
the charms can be engraved with your special message. Please ask
for our in-house engraving department.
Matching bracelets are available. As an added bonus, when you
purchase charms from Ben Franklin, our bench jeweler will solder
them on for free! This is an exceptional added value.
We carry over 750 Sterling Silver charms in stock everyday. Sterling
Silver is an excellent choice for a first bracelet. We can special
order any of the 6000 plus charms in the entire Rembrandt collection.
Please click on the charm bracelet to see the entire selection.
We also stock a selection of Rembrandt’s 10kt gold charms.
Of course everything available in silver is also available in gold.
Please remember we can quickly order your needs at no additional
charge.
Lastly we have over 250 styles of silver and gold plate charms.
All with fine details, your cost 99 cents everyday! These are great
for designs that require an inexpensive adornment. Please call
us for specific requests.
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