Think that only independent jewelry designers use gemstone beads in their collections? Think again! Even the major jewelry design houses like Tiffany & Co., Bvlgari, and Cartier work gemstone beads into their jewelry designs. Gemstone beads are usually either faceted or smooth, come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes, and can vary greatly in quality. Beads can be drilled all the way through the center, across a corner or point, or even half drilled. Drilling gemstones allows them to be incorporated into jewelry designs with minimal requirements for mounting and setting, allowing the beauty of the gems to be appreciated from every angle.