Glass Beads Fascinating Almost Everyone

A bead is a small and decorative object that can be found in different kinds of shapes and sizes. A bead can be made from materials shells, glass, plastics, wood, bones and stones. A small hole is made in the bead so that it can be easily threaded or stringed. The size of a single bead might vary from 1 millimeter to 1 centimeter in diameter. Various kinds of beautiful and fancy creations can be made from glass beads or shells.

What are the various ways that can be used to join the beads together?

Beads can be joined together to make jewelry. The beads can be woven together using special kinds of threads. They can also be strung together using a wire that is soft and flexible. The beads can also be made to adhere to a surface of fabric or clay. This art of making various kinds of things with the beads is known as beadwork. 

How are these beads manufactured?

In the present day, almost all beads are made by mass production techniques. These beads are then shaped using techniques of casting and carving. The selection of the technique also depends on the material of the bead as well as the effect that the customer wants. Special kinds of glass working techniques or metal working maybe used in some cases as well. Very often, a combination of various kinds of techniques and materials is used.

What is meant by glass-working?

Most glass beads are mass produced. They are pressed glass that is produced by preparing a molten glass of the color that is desired. These are then poured into molds so as to form the desired shape. The same process is followed for producing plastic beads as well.

Faceted beads that are glass polished are less expensive when compared to faceted glass that is hand-cut. They get their name from their process of formation. Firstly, the glass batch is poured into molds that convert the batch into round beads. After that, the beads are faceted with a grinding mill. These beads are poured onto a tray that is heated so as to melt the surface. This is done to remove any surface irregularities that were caused due to the using of the grinding wheel.

What are glass beads and what are some of the common forms of manufacturing of glass beads?

A glass bead is a beautiful and fascinating creation. These beads have been used as currency, works of art, gifts and as a symbol of belonging to a high-status. They have been created and used by the earliest known civilizations. A glass bead had also been used as jewelry by the Vikings, Romans and the Egyptians. Glass beads are differentiated on the basis of the method that is used to modify the glass. They can be molded beads, drawn beads or wound beads.

The wound glass beads were made by the method of winding. For making drawn glass beads, a strand is pulled out from a gather of glass. It is done in such a way that a bubble is incorporated in the center of the strand. This bubble serves as the hole of the bead.