Any good sources to buy gemstone beads?

Here's a list of bead stores in MN.  I always like to actually see them in person if I'm buying beads.  Also look for craft or gem and mineral club shows near you.  I have bought beads on occasion from a couple of sellers on Etsy, but they were expensive and I needed them quickly.


www.umbs.org/local-bead-stores.html

if you want quantity as well as good cost , Try PandaHall . they used to have a long delivery time , but i think they have a wharehouse here in the states now www.pandahall.com/?msclkid=fba5db2e9cc011cd7022bffcc637edb5&utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=Pandahall&utm_term=pandahall&utm_content=pandahall. i hope this works

i bought from them for several yrs , both beads ,headpins , eyepins and some ear
wires
if you were closer i would tell you to come and buy me out

Try fire mountain gems dot com
They have the biggest selection of Swarovski, and seedbeads.

I’ve bought quite a few natural stone beads from Etsy. I can check seller names later if you are interested. What I’ve found with buying beads is: expect the photos to be over exposed (looking brighter than reality, from darn near almost every seller, squint your eyes a bit and imagine them darker), also definitely read reviews and look at photos from other buyers, and if it’s important to you, ensure that the listing is very clear as to whether the materials and color are natural or enhanced in any way, some sellers are creatively vague about this, I’ll actually message and ask, and I do favor sellers who give clear and complete information up front on their listings. As already mentioned, it is pretty difficult to buy beads online and be happy. I’ve had a mix of results, some I’m happier with than I’d expected and others I definitely would not have bought if I’d been shopping in person. A lot of the higher volume sellers though will offer free returns. I also almost always leave fair reviews with photos as to the quality so that future buyers have more info to base their decisions on.

I have purchased a variety of items from Thunderbird Supply. Started in the 1980's in person and now online. They are very trustworthy and always say if beads are natural stone or not. INdicate if beads are dyed Howlite (or other materials), block, etc.
The Rock Shed also has some beads available. They do not misrepresent anything they sell.

I really do eventually want a mill mostly because I like working with a lot of weird stones that I can’t really find beads for easily. Not to mention in my mind I could use the interesting parts of some rough to make cabs or the like and then grind the rest up into beads, I’d be aware of the quality since I know the quality of the source material itself.