Help identifying these beads

[Deleted]

Looking to identify these purplish-colored beads. They are quite heavy, so I thought they might be something worthwhile.

I would like to make the photo larger, but it was all I could do to figure out how to even post this small photo and that was even after reading the posted directions. Thanks

for your help.

[Tabby]

Sugilite or charoite? 

[jandsknight]

I copied your picture and enlarged on my computer, but it was fuzzy. I think they may be rhodonite. Google that and compare the pictures to your beads.

[Deleted]

Thank you. I googled all 3 suggestions and still can't tell because what comes up is a chunk of the rock and it's kind of hard to compare to the beads. Is there a definite way for me to find out? I want to list them, but I hate to guess on the material in case I am wrong. I've always been interested in learning more about jewelry, but I am so hesitant to sell any of it because I just don't know what I'm doing. 

[Deleted]

Actually, I went back and looked on Etsy for beads and it looks like they are somewhere between charoite and rhodonite. It's hard to tell the exact colors on the screen.

[jandsknight]

Try googling rhodonite beads. I saw lots of beads. The trouble with beads made from natural stones is natural rock has lots of variations. With rhodonite, some has more black than others.

[Deleted]

Try googling rhodonite beads. I saw lots of beads. The trouble with beads made from natural stones is natural rock has lots of variations. With rhodonite, some has more black than others.

I just went back again and looked and it does look like rhodonite. How terrible would it be if I listed it as rhodonite and I was wrong? I figure with my luck someone who is a gem expert will buy them and tell me they are something else.

[jandsknight]

I'm not a gem expert, but I am a long-time rock hound. I own rhodonite jewelry. Even with the small photo that enlarged blurry I think yours are rhodonite. Put in a disclaimer that you're not an expert, but an old rock hound friend said she thinks they are rhodonite. If you can estimate the diameter (in millimeters) of the beads that will help determine value. You need a caliper to be positive, but you can estimate by placing the beads on a measuring tape and looking straight down to determine the distance from hole to hole. You probably know that the value is also greater if the string is knotted between each bead.

[Deleted]

Thank you so much J and S. I appreciate the help.

[RetroMonde]

A great source for id'ing gemstone and semi-precious beads is Fire Mountain Gems. Their catalog is AWEsome... I could spend (and have spent) hours and days browsing it and their site.