Dont we all just love glass beads? I do, for it is the bread and butter of my work. Glass beads being available in plenty in India, It is the most economical of all materials for me. It comes from Uttar Pradesh in the north (an area famous for its glass work) and is distributed by gypsies (yes you heard me right, gypsies!!) across the country. I have a group of friendly gypsies living 10 minutes from my place and they love supplying me with all my glass necessities and I love meeting and interacting with them. Since they are experts in stringing, they also make such beautiful tantalizing jewelry. The only downside of buying glass beads from them is that they are not aware of the types of beads and finishes that go into it. So keep my work on track, here is a resource I use and would like to share with all of you.
* updated – March 2016
Different Types of Glass beads and Finishes
Agate – Made to look like the gemstone agate. The glass has white swirled with color.
Aurora Borealis- a half coating that reflects a multitude of colours as seen in the northern light that is applied by fuming metal salts onto the hot glass for a permanent bond. It is also called Iridescent finish and done on transparent glass beads. AB 2X is double AB coating
Charlotte -Beads have a single cut on one side of the bead which gives them a bit of sparkle.
Color Lined -Transparent beads with an opaque color ‘lining’ inside the hole of the bead. The color may be scratched off by the stringing material over time and certain colors will fade.Also called Inside Color
Cut – Usually refers to hex cut, also called 3-cut or 6-cut, in which the bead has been cut to form a hexagon.
Gilt Lined – Inside of the bead has a golden (not real gold) lining.
Gold Lined -Inside of the bead has a gold lining.
Jaipuri – An Indian bead finish where glass beads are spray painted with vibrant colors like pink, yellow, blue, green, etc. they are primarily produced in Rajasthan and hence refered to as Jaipuri beads.
Lampwork beads – Glass beads created by lampworking technique. This is not a finish but a process used to handcraft beads. To understand the process, take a look at these posts – How are Art beads made and how I made lampwork focals.
Matt or Matte – Beads with a dull frosted finish. Can be achieved through chemical reactions and etching
Metallic – Beads with a shiny metal – like surface due to the presence of baked on paint
Opal -Semi-translucent glass that transmits light but is milky. Good opal glass has a bit of glow to it and when the lusture is inside the finish is called Ceylon.
Opaque – Opaque glass transmits no light. Opaque glass has a dull gloss, although surface treatments are often applied (e.g., matte, rainbow).
Pearlised – Mostly painted or coated to give a pearl effect
Satin -Satin glass has a layered or satin-like appearance. The exact color depends on the viewing angle as it has been produced by many minute air bubbles that have been pulled through while the molten glass was formed.
Silky – Silky beads, like satin, may have a striated, satiny appearance.
Silver Lined (s/l) – transparent beads lined with silver.
Transparent – clear beads of a colour (clear)
Vitrail – a half coating in differing hues on a crystal bead to give a sparkling look
I hope you find it interesting
Cheers
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