3mm Magnesite Heishi. StonyWhite, 16 inch strand.

These pictures depict what typical strands look like. These beads are practically identical from strand to strand.

These little strands are adorable! Simple enough to be a necklace on its own or can be used as spacers. These pieces are approx. 3mm wide and 2mm in height. The total gram weight for this strand is 7.

The neutral color of these beads is accented with the perfect balance of brown matrix. Most magnesite stones are dyed to different colors while some are kept in its original shade for its natural clean appearance. But not all white magnesite are created equal; stony white magnesite with perfect amounts of brown spider-web matrix are the most sought-after.

Magnesite have been on the market for the past 20 years, and have become infamous for being sold as natural turquoise by internet sellers (even numerous boutique/stores) across the country. Natural magnesite range from white to light brown and some even has natural veins, so when dyed to different colors such as blue, it looks almost identical to turquoise. It is very abundant, meaning the raw material is very cheap. So understandably, it can get frustrating knowing that such cheap material is out there claiming to be the much more expensive turquoise. The truth is, magnesite is a natural stone that is stronger than turquoise and absorbs color beautifully without fading. Despite the negative reputation of magnesite, it truly is the perfect affordable alternative to turquoise. However, it is important to accurately represent any material for what it is and price them accordingly. This is why June Jewels will alway clearly state what the material is for any given listing.