High Tide Beads
High Tide Beads, Bluffton’s full serve and locally owned bead store!
They are proud to offer you a fine selection of beads and semi-precious gemstones from around the world. You’ll find treasures ranging from American turquoise to Ethiopian brass; Australian opal to Lithuanian amber. They carry sparkling gemstones from India, and lustrous freshwater pearls from China.
For the more organic type, porcelain, wood and shell beads, intricately carved bone pendants and brass and copper chains and findings are in store. African and Tibetan beads make great focals.
High Tide Beads features a collection of American artists’ glass beads when one needs a fine focal bead. Leah Fairbanks and Bruce St. John Maher are two of our well-known lampwork glass artists. The owner, Steve Mardell, also a lampwork artist, creates one of a kind glass beads right here in the Lowcountry.
They carry Czech glass seed beads and Delicas for bead weavers, as well as Fireline, Nymo, Soft Flex and more.
Whether you’re a novice, advanced bead weaver, or designer with wholesale credentials, come in and design with us! We will work with you and help you find everything you need.
Young Designers (aka Kids!)
They have lots of fun and funky beads to suit the younger designers as well! There are shark’s teeth and pirates, butterflies and fairies that are easy to string onto leather, cotton or hemp.
Design Services
They can transform any of our beautiful pearls and gems into custom designed jewelry just for you. They will help you choose colors and forms to suit your occasion. Steve Mardell will create your piece, whether it be earrings, necklaces, pendants, knotted pearls or any design we dream up!
Jewelry Repair
High Tide Beads has a reputation for quality jewelry repair, traditional pearl knotting and restringing. Ask for Steve Mardell if you have a specialty repair; he has worked on many vintage, antique and modern repair projects.
Hours: Tuesday – Friday 10-6, Saturday 11-5, Closed on Sundays & Mondays (subject to change)
Location: 52 Calhoun Street in Old Town Bluffton
Phone: (843) 757-4367