Fire Polished Beads

Fire polished beads from the Czech Republic are a faceted glass bead. Czech fire polish beads are made in an area called Jablonec nad Nisou. Production of glass beads in the area dates back to the 14th century and this area is well known for the manufacture of high quality glass beads. They are available in many different shapes, colors, sizes, finishes and with many different coatings also available. They offer a cost effective yet superior quality crystal suitable for many different types of beading projects. Czech fire polished beads have become so popular in recent years, primarily because they are the highest quality manufactured faceted bead available. This has helped make them one of the most favored glass beads by jewelry makers and beadworkers alike.

Fire polished bead colors are available in the full spectrum. This enormous range can be both daunting and confusing. Bead color use for most can be the most difficult area of beaded jewelry making to understand. Knowing which colors work well together and which combinations are not quite so pleasing on the eye can be a science in itself. This vital aspect to beaded jewellery making and beading need not be such a mystery to understand. The following article on the use of bead color offers a simple but comprehensive look at color combinations. It describes how we can avoid bead colours clashing and how to make your jewelry have more impact and appeal. Click here to read about fire polished bead color use.

Fire polished bead sizes range from 3mm through to 22mm. The 3mm fire polished round being the most popular of all the sizes. Subtle beaded jewelry designs can be produced by changing between a 3mm and a 4mm or even between a 5mm and a 6mm . Dramatic and stunning effects can be reached by changing the bead size through the range. For example using an 8mm, 6mm and a 4mm together can produce an eye catching effect. The current fashion trend is to use chunky big beads. So, for fashion jewelry why not try using a 10mm or even a 12mm fire polish bead in your designer jewelry. This will help bring your jewelry designs right upto date. The large beads can also be used as statement beads to more delicate pieces of fine jewelry. This use of different sized fire polish can add a distinct style or look to your handcrafted jewelry. Outcomes can vary so it’s worth laying out your ideas on your bead board first. This creative part of the jewelry making process can also help inspire new jewelry design ideas.

Fire polished bead coatings produce many different finishes and effects and this makes them incredibly popular. The most popular is the AB coating. AB is short for Aurora Borealis roughly translated as ‘Northern Lights’ as this finish reflects the colors of the ‘Northern Lights’. It is also sometimes referred to as the iridescent or rainbow coating. The AB coating is often applied to just one side of the bead whiles it is still hot and it is this which creates its rainbow or prism effect on the bead surface. The AB coating is great for modern jewelry and traditional jewelry. The Metallic coating is oxidized tin sprayed onto the fire polished bead. This gives a wonderful shimmer, great for those who like modern jewelry making. A vitrail coating is also available. The Vitrail coating is a metallic coating usually applied to one side of the bead. This reflects similar tones to the AB coating but with a metallic refection underneath. The galvanized finish is when a glass bead is plated with a zinc coating. Lustre coated or sometimes referred to as luster coating is a shiny finish applied to the surface of the bead. This coating is applied to transparent beads and results in a coating which is highly reflective. This finish is also incredibly popular due to its highly reflective shine. The gold lustre coating is applied again to a clear bead to give a shiny gold finish. A matte coating gives a low lustre and may also have a frosted look to its surface. This transforms the beads from a transparent look to appear more translucent. An opaque finished fire polished is one which does not transmit or reflect light. This gives a more solid looking color. This is just a few of the more popular fire polish coatings available. There is a vast selection available some offering different reactions depending on the color of the bead they were applied to. Coatings and finishes offer a great range of looks all of their own and can help add a new look to your jewelry making.

Wholesale fire polished beads are packed by the mass. Typically there are 1200 fire-polish beads to a wholesale mass. This is also the case for purchasing wholesale glass beads, however for wholesale swarovski crystal beads bulk purchases are typlicaly in 1440 swarovski bead packs and packs of 360 swarovski crystal beads. To purchase wholesale beads it is best to contact a bead manufacturer directly. Most Czech bead producers request minimum purchase of up 100 mass per bead type/color. This makes it very difficult to purchase wholesale firepolish.

Fire polished bead stores offer those who wish to buy beads a great opportunity to view them close up. A local bead store can be very useful for viewing all types of beads without the commitment to buy. A bead shop can also offer many other associated beading items including bead books, tools, findings, classes and sometimes offer free bead patterns and fact sheets. Finding a good specialist fire polish bead store can be very difficult if you don’t have a good local beads store. If this is the case you may wish to find an online bead store.

Fire polished bead store online can offer the beaded jewelry maker a cheaper alternative to the high street bead store. An online beads store can also offer a more accessible shopping experience and can offer more choice when it comes to buying beads. Whether you need a US bead store, a UK bead store or a bead store in Australia an online beads store could offer you a more specialist supplier offering fire polished beads at much cheaper prices. A good fire polished website should offer a wide range of bead colors, sizes and coatings. This wide range of beads will help inspire new jewelry making ideas. Through combinations of color, size, shape and coatings will give new beaded jewelry design ideas.

Fire polished beaded jewelry making for many is a great way to make money and have lots of fun too. Maybe you own a jewelry store or maybe you own an online jewelry website, even if you just make jewelry for fun, fire polished beads present a high quality glass bead with a handmade look at a great price. This cost effective yet superior quality bead makes them suitable for so many jewelry making projects. There ability to balance well with so many other types of beads has also made them very popular.

Beads which compliment fire polished include many different types of glass beads, crystal beads, silver beads and gemstone beads. Gem stone beads are a very traditional bead to compliment fire polish. The natural tones of gemstones are reflected well in the color range available in firepolish beads. Silver and sterling silver beads also apply themselves well for a more modern jewelry look. If you wish to use silver beads for a more traditional jewelry try using Bali beads as they have a more vintage appearance. Many different types of glass beads also lend themselves well for use with Czech firepolished. Popular ones include foil lined, crackle, plain glass, Czech glass, handmade glass and lampwork. Finally, probably the most used fire polished bead combination has to be with Swarovski crystal beads. The Swarovski crystal bead is a highly reflective crystal bead costing much more than Czech fire polished beads. Fire polish glass also has the added advantage of having a softer more genteel appearance. This unique look helps to tone down the hard lines of the Swarovski crystal.

Beaded jewelry of a high quality is always sort after and a much loved treasure whether it has been bought for oneself or received as a gift. Handmade beaded jewelry always sells very well especially when it is well presented, in a jewelry box for example. Fire Polished beaded jewelry has proven to be timeless in it’s appeal and only gains in character as time moves on.

Fire polished rondelles, barrels, carved, deep cut, ovals the list goes on. There are now so many different fire-polish shapes to choose from why just stick with fire polished rounds. A good fire polished bead suppler should have a range of shapes available.

Why Czech beads?, does it matter? In recent years Indian bead makers have started to make beads using old Czech bead dyes. However the glass used by glass bead makers in India is inferior to the glass used by Czech bead makers. Making sure your fire-polish beads are genuine Czech beads is important.

Why glass beads? Unlike plastic beads, glass beads will not fade quickly. There are very few fire polished coatings which may fade over time when left in direct sunlight. However this type of fading usually adds an aged vintage bead appeal.

Why choose fire polished Beads? A huge color range, a wide range in size, available in many different shapes and with lots of different coatings, finishes and linings. Their ability to blend well with so many other types of beads and a soft appeal often lacking in other beads. One of the highest quality beads available. Steeped in hundreds of years of tradition and bead manufacture tradition passed from one generation to the next. Fire polished beads offer a highly reflective brilliance and are equally at home in modern jewelry designs as they are in vintage style jewelry. Fire polished beads offer all this and at a great price. That’s why for those who love jewelry making, love Czech fire polished beads.

suppliers for fire-polish.

Beads Superstore

fipobex.cz

estrela.cz

Above is a list of beads suppliers for Czech Fire Polished Glass Beads.