Glass Beads

Glass beads are produced in a very large quantity by the Czech Republic both in factories and by cottage industries. These beads are sometimes called "pressed glass" because the molten glass is poured into molds and fired in a kiln. Another kind of pressed glass is "fire polished" which is applied to pressed glass beads given a finishing touch of additional torch treatment that melts the visible seams and rough spots on the outside of the beads. You will find a wide selection of shapes of Czech glass in our "glass beads" category including flowers, leaves, cathedral beads (also known as "window beads"), pyramids, bicones, stars, hearts, and coins.

Glass beads are available in a wide variety of colors, sizes, and shapes. This fact makes them a great element in one's jewelry supplies. An added benefit to using glass beads in jewelry making is their low cost.

Our pressed glass beads are beautiful when mixed together with our gemstone beads and some metal beads for accent. Most often, they are strung, but on occasion they are wired to a mesh backing which is called the "collage" technique of jewelry making. The collage technique is most often used for broaches or earrings.

common treatments: painted or coated for variety in finish

special care: protect from impact and abrasion