I wish I would have read the reviews before I spent hundreds of dollars buying beads from this company. I bought all gold plated beads thinking they would last but within two weeks of wearing them daily, they all turned to brass and there was no gold plating left. When I spoke to their customer service they kept telling me how environmental reasons could make the wearing away vary and there was nothing they could do. I pressed on and had her even speak to a supervisor but again they could do nothing for me unless I returned everything in it's original packaging which I didn't have and had already given away some of the beads as gifts in jewelry I had made. They did not seem to care about the customer at all and told me that they hoped my day turned out better then it seemed I was having. Products used:Beads Service Value Shipping Returns Quality Date of experience: May 22, 2023I have been ordering from this website for so many many years now and I never had a problem until about 4 order ago. It's seems like every order I've ordered so far is always wrong in some way or another. They say the prices are good but trust me they are so expensive. Then most places offer free shipping over 35.00 or more. This company doesn't really care about offering any kinds of discounts or free shipping to their customers. I placed an order just received it and once again they messed up. Ordering now through other websites. I'll only order small orders from this company. Very bad review for this company. Tip for consumers:You'll never receive free shipping with orders over 35$. Plus somehow orders just are not right. Something always wrong with the order somehow and someway. Service Value Shipping Date of experience: February 10, 2023I've ordered a few times now and every-time I am so happy with the quality and appreciate the speed of shipping also. My last order had a broken piece (which happens, ya know? But I did not check the order until a couple months later, oops on my part) Even though it had been some time since I ordered it, when I reached back out about the single broken piece, they sent me a whole new package of that bead set to replace the 1 piece. Also, very kind support rep that helped me! :) Service Value Shipping Returns Quality Date of experience: June 6, 2023Absolutely LOVE Fire Mountain Gems! They send the nearest free gifts with your order. Their "grab bags" are PACKED full of cool items! And their pre made jewelry is at a great price & great quality as well. Tip for consumers:Make sure to read the descriptions for measurements & sizing. The more items you buy the bigger the discount & they've sent a free gift with every order I've placed so far. Products used:Beads, jewelry wire, pre made jewelry. All of it!! Service Value Shipping Quality Date of experience: March 6, 2022I received a Boss Bag of beads as a Christmas gift from someone not familiar with bead quality. I feel badly for them spending money on this… it's literally a bag of trash! The stuff looks like sweepings from a thrift store floor, old shotty beads, None of it looks new, I absolutely would not spend time trying to make something out of this stuff! It's especially NOT something I would associate with Fire Mountain Gem to be selling! I could go on and on about the horrible quality of the bag contents. Please don't waste your money! Date of experience: December 26, 2022I ordered 7 items from these folks and of that, four were severely undersized based on the dimensions given on the website. I did a chat and the chat agent was supremely unhelpful, listing me what they say are acceptable dimensions for any given item, repeating over and over that they wont' all be the same size (duh. I'm not stupid), and insisting that the only way to measure is with calipers. I set these beads on a flat ruler and can't see how a caliper will make a bead measuring clearly less than 8mm stretch to meet a minimum of 8-10. The worst was a 12 X 8 bead string where not one measured above 7 X 8. Minimum quoted was 9 X 7 for that size. So the other three I bought were great and all within ballpark but the four here were disappointing and the customer chat was insulting and useless. Be warned: they are very generous about what they think is okay range of sizes. If you go in like that, you won't be left angry like me. Tip for consumers:Don't expect to get exactly what you ordered and you'll be fine. If size matters exactly on your beads, either buy larger or shop elsewhere. Don't expect help from the chat folks if you're unhappy. Products used:Half of what I got will work for what I need. The other half will have to be replaced and will be used for something else or given away. Date of experience: February 19, 2021I bought the Bag. When I received and opened it, it was a complete disappointment. There were no single bead which would attract your attention. There were a lot of huge stones, possible for the weight. A lot of cheap plastic and wooden beads. A small number of glass beads were damaged and scratched. And the rest was just some bead rubbish. Big disappointment. Never order this - waist of money. Tip for consumers:I would recommend to buy beads and findings only when they are on sale, then the price is more or less realistic. Or if you buy by big quantities, then the price is lower. Delivery is long. The packing is excellent. The assortment is ok. One can find beautiful beads. Don't buy Boss' Bead Bag - this is just junk and a loss of money. Service Value Shipping Returns Quality Date of experience: May 10, 2022I have had nothing but a good experience with Fire Mountain! I sit and waite on my order then it is like Christmas! I had problems with some shells they sent me but they did make it good! They are who I trust to do buisenes with. Thank you Fire Mountain. Products used:Beads, Wire, Findings, Focals Service Value Shipping Returns Quality Date of experience: March 18, 2021I've ordered from FMG twice. The first experience was pretty decent, all the items looked as pictured and appeared to be natural as marketed. Because of my first pleasant experience I decided to place another order. I received that order today and I am beyond disappointed. Everything I ordered was sold as natural but is obviously glass… I mean OBVIOUSLY glass! I called customer service to alert them of the problem and was first told it was a wrong pull but once she realized my complaint was that all of them were glass I was told it couldn't have been a wrong pull. Their only solution was to have me send them the beads back and they would examine to see if I received the wrong products. By the way they don't refund shipping… I'm not about to pay to ship these item back to the company which would take over a week to be told that they are natural. This company thinks you're stupid and takes advantage of small business. I will never order from them again. Service Value Shipping Returns Quality Date of experience: October 7, 2021I did business with this company way back in 2004 of summer, I bought enough supplies to make right at 400 cross gemstone pendants, but what got me was that what was purposely supposed to be gemstones turned out to be nothing more than polished bricks/glass, these things would break if dropped the least height of 6 feet, also to make matters worse the gold plated chain spools they sell are at an astronomical price tag@ $25 USD is what I paid per spool of chain, but that was then and the cross pendants were $18 per 100 count, but today you will freak out over the price these things are now, last time I checked their site they were $48 per bag and the chain spools were $68.00 each, unless you are a celebrity or a famous You-Tuber, don't do business with this company. Products used:Jewelry accessories Service Value Shipping Returns Quality Date of experience: July 25, 2023I have been a Fire Mountain Gems customer for well over 10 years. FMG is my go-to supplier because I need to know exactly what I am buying. Gemstone descriptions include type, substance, treatment, grade, size, cut, Mohs hardness, and quantity -- descriptors are defined in the resources section. All other products (a comprehensive list of crafters' needs) are similarly detailed. Resources include definitions, charts, designs, demonstrations, instructions, adhesives/cleaners/polishers uses and cautions, Q&A solutions, and just about anything a crafter needs to know. On the very few times I have had a problem with an order, the situation was resolved in a timely manner and to my satisfaction. I craft for personal use, many gifts, and some sales. Fire Mountain Gems has never disappointed me. Tip for consumers:Fully explore this site -- it has a lot to offer! Products used:beads, focals, findings, tools, packaging, stringing materials, resources Service Value Shipping Returns Quality Date of experience: June 20, 2023I ordered from three different bead stores on the same day. Fire Mountain Gems provided great service, quick shipping, and a free gift and sale catalog with the order. Simple things can make a huge difference, and these guys get it right. I'm still waiting on an order from one of the other bead stores (over a week has passed), so I plan to give my future business to firemountaingems.com without hesitation. Stay away from Beadaholique (poor service, slow shipping with confusing shipping notification, and at least a two day wait for any response from customer service - horrible), and shop at firemountaingems instead. You'll be happy you did. Date of experience: December 12, 2013Save yourself... run from these folks... rip off... mean customer service... belittle the customers... when a company treats repeat customers badly... they have too many customers then. One less here! Date of experience: November 23, 2016Love this website. Their supply of Swarovski crystals is the best. Easy to find what I want. Plus the more you buy the less expensive the items get. Plus they always send you a little "THANK YOU" gift. It may be inexpensive but it's nice to know you are a valued customer no matter how big or small your order is. I am always excited to receive my order from them. Thank you Fire Mountain! Date of experience: February 20, 2016TOTALLY MISLEADING IN HOW THEY ADVERTISE THEIR PRODUCTS TO WHAT YOU RECEIVE! I COULDN'T BELIEVE HOW AWFUL THE ITEMS I ORDERED AFTER BEING SO EXCITED FROM THE PHOTOS. HORRIBLE CUSTOMER SERVICE! BE PREPARED IF YOU ORDER AND ARE DISSATISFIED; YOU WILL NOT BE CREDITED FOR SHIPPING FROM ORIGINAL ORDER OR SHIPPING BACK! LESSON LEARNED - READ REVIEWS BEFORE ORDERING ANYTHING! Date of experience: September 17, 2021Fire Mountain Gems looks to be a site I need to do business with. Looking for skull beads for a few projects I want to recreate with upgrades, my wife directed me to firemountaingems.com. The variety of supplies for the home jewelry maker or craftsperson is pretty impressive. Can't say how well they deal with orders, but I like what I see so far. I'm going to go the step further and order some of these cool beads. Have a look, perhaps you'll see what I did. Date of experience: January 29, 2011I use this website to order the gemstones for my beading projects, and this site is a treasure. Not only do they have the lowest prices and huge variety of supplies, but also have sales up to over 95% off which helps me to save on the gemstones and sell the products at lower prices keeping my customers happy. I absolutely love firemountaingems. Their customer service is very good and returns/exchanges are very easy. Date of experience: August 10, 2015Great service and prices are better the more you buy. You know you are getting the real thing on this site, for example real Swarovski products as compared to some fakes I bought on Etsy.com and Ebay.com that claimed to be real. They send out orders super fast and packed nicely. The selection is incredible. Free patterns for many jewelry items. Easy to call if you are not sure what you need! Date of experience: June 6, 2013I love Fire Mountain Gems. No, they are not high-end, but they have a lot and most people will be very happy with the products bought from them. The prices are reasonable. They tell you exactly what you will be getting. They do not exaggerate-- they use industry standard terms and grading, when possible. Those who are disappointed puzzle me. They must be assuming something that is not stated by Fire Mountain Gems. I have never had a bad order or a problem with them. They are perfect for ordering what you need to make mid- to low-end jewelry. Date of experience: April 13, 2011It's a mixed experience. They have speedy delivery. I've got defected pins where the coating fell off as soon as you bend. I talked to them and they replied "We tested out products and they were fine" They also requested I returned the damaged items. I did and they refunded me. I suppose they do have to be careful but I don't appreciate that they acted like I was lying. Date of experience: May 4, 2014I recently purchased a beginner metal clay kit from Fire Mountain Gems. After only 4-5 uses, the butane torch that came with the kit will not work correctly. In order to turn it off, I now have to use a screwdriver to pry up the off button. This tends to be a little scary while holding a lit 1400 degree or so torch. I called Fire Mountain Gems to see if they would exchange the torch or refund it. They said they can't refund it because it was part of a kit, and I've used the metal clay out of the kit. In order to exchange it, they said they would need to test all of their torches in stock, which would take approximately two weeks, and that they would get back to me. The torch worked fine the first two times I used it, but failed after only two uses. I feel this is an unacceptable response on something that is an equipment failure issue, and the equipment failure has the potential to cause bodily injury and is a fire hazard. Poor quality item, poor customer service. Date of experience: March 2, 2011I worked with FMG from 2005 and I have been mush satisfied until 2 years ago something happened there... the poor packaging, loosed and separating beads on string, defective items that you can not use, no gifts at all, items does not match for describing and worse of all the prices that I have been in shock and surprised... I purchased polyester twine cord for $ 11.59 and after two month I was searching for something and for case I saw that the price of twine changed for $ 2.33 Can you believed?! It is 80 % off and was any alert of any sales or something just like that... on my conversation whim them by mail ( I am an international customer) they write me like so " Please be aware that we allow to change the prices up and down greatly " I do not except this it is wrong and also do not believe them and decided stop work with the FMG. Date of experience: March 31, 2014Bought mix assorted mix beads. They were on sale, beware, picture looks like theres a lot but very disappoint. Its cheaper to just buy the bracelet already made. And the gems are small and not even pretty. The shipping is $5.99 and the only reason I'm not returning. Paid a little bit over $18. Not worth it at all. Only looks a lot in picture and picture looks nice but not in real life. Very disappointed. Will definitely not buy again. Date of experience: January 23, 2020As soon as this company began designing and awarding prizes to 'jewelry' made from bullets, I blocked emails and threw away the catalogs. Glorifying the horrors we have to live with: things manufactured to kill or maim-by trying to make them into adornments, relegates this company to the lowest level of unethical commerce. They will not get any more of my considerable business, nor any of my jewelry student's. Date of experience: May 11, 2016I thought there was something fishy about this site, and I'm certainly happy I looked for reviews. That I couldn't find a customer service number to ask a few simple questions RE purchasing, quality assurance, and minimum orders was a dead tip-off that all was not kosher. CAVEAT EMPTOR Date of experience: June 13, 2023