Austrian vs. Czech vs. Machine Cut vs. Fire Polish vs. Crystal vs. Rhinestones
Glass beads from the Czech Republic are great values because of the high quality and tremendous variety in colors, sizes, shapes, and finishes. Yet prices are reasonable, starting at 2 cents a bead.
Czech beads conform to industry standards for colors and sizes. Many of the beads on this page are mass-produced, but don't look it!
A Word About Measurements
We give bead measurements in mm (millimeters). One inch = 25 mm. So a 12mm bead is about a half inch. We try to show beads at their actual size, but your monitor may show them larger or smaller. So please take note of the sizes we indicate--as well as all the other details we provide.
All faceted glass beads on our Web site are mass-produced. The leading producers are in the Czech Republic and Austria. In Austria in the tiny town of Wattens is the Swarovski factory (imagine, I was in Austria and didn't visit). Swarovski was the first to perfect the production of machine-cut faceted beads and stones. Each bead is cut and faceted, much like a precious stone, by a special mechanical process perfected by Swarovski. This results in extremely "sharp" edges on each facet, and exact calibration of measurements so the facets produce the maximum sparkle and liveliness (refractance).
Refractance
The greater the refractance, the more a glass item sparkles and shines. Achieving maximum refractance in glass cutting is the goal, and depends on exactly quantifiable formulae. As a result, all beads and stones in each color/size category are exactly the same size and color. This is important, especially for jewelers who do inlay and settings.Fire Polish
See also Fire Polish Notes
Fire polishing is a less costly way to finish the beads using heat, not individual machine cuts. The beads are pressed and then tumbled in a heated container to polish the facets. This process results in a perfectly beautiful bead, but the edges aren't as "sharp" nor are the facets as exactly sized. If you look very closely you can tell the difference between a machine-cut and a fire-polish bead, although from a distance it is nearly impossible.
Swarovski Almost a Household Word
Swarovski beads and stones sell for a premium price because of the name and because the quality of the beads is always top-notch. The company has been producing glass items for jewelry for over 100 years. Swarovski is "Tiffany" of crystal, controlling output, removing certain styles from the market before introducing others, and setting strict rules for distributors. Swarovski manufactures crystal collector's items as well as beads.
Czech Machine Cuts
In recent years, Czech factories have also produced machine-cut faceted beads which sell for less than the premium Swarovski. The Czech machine-cuts are identical. It is truly impossible to see any difference. Production is a matter of getting the math right, and once this happens, the output is going to be identical no matter who makes it.
We will be featuring Czech machine-cuts in time for holiday crafting. Although they will be pricier than fire polish, they will still cost far less than the Swarovski machine-cuts. So, watch for them.
Individual Czech bead producers didn't develop the brand recognition as did Swarovski, although in the jewelry world the phrase "Czech bead" is synonymous with very high quality as well as originality, creativity, and tremendous variety of styles. Czech glass beads have been around much longer than 100 years, as evidenced by trade beads produced in Czechoslovakia/Bohemia that are more than 300 years old.
Crystal is a very high quality glass that can be colored, cut and faceted, and responds with sparkle and vivacity. The term "crystal" also refers to the clear colorless bead or stone, as well as a semiprecious quartz stone that is colorless.
There's nothing prettier than a holiday table set with good crystal wine and water goblets, reflecting every glimmer of the candlelight. In such a setting, you can show off your crystal earrings, necklace, and bracelet proudly.
Collecting Crystal Jewelry
In the Victorian era and up until the 1930s, jewelers strung crystal beads on fine silver or gold chain to ensure that the necklace and bracelet would never break. If you find a chain-strung strand at a flea market or estate sale, the necklace is probably very old. Ladies collected good crystal jewelry; many fine pieces were of karat gold set with carefully chosen faceted crystal shaped pieces. These pins and other items were the design precursors of the fabulous rhinestone (another word for faceted crystal) pins and earrings of the 1940s, 50s and 60s.
Some designers inlaid colored crystals into various hues of bakelite. These pieces are rare and very desirable.
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Email janey@beadsbymail.com . Phone (U.S.)800-572-7920 or (outside U.S.) 719-598-1506.