Czech Glass Beads

The Czech Republic is well known for their superior glass beads. To be confident that you are getting the most for your beading money it is essential that you know as much as you can about the bead making process so you can identify which beads offer the very best quality.

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The pressed glass beads that the Czechs make are made from rods of molten glass that is then pressed into moulds. A small rod or needle forms the centre hole of the bead .There is a huge variety of shapes which are usually described name.

Czech beads are measured in millimetres and are often available by the strand, the hank or by volume. Common units are a mass 1,200 or half mass 600 beads. Czech seed beads, however, because of their size are often sold by the gram or kilo.

Czech beads are often produced in certain of the Czech Republic, like Jablonec because of the historical links to the glass making industry. Very often the beads are produced in small cottage industries, some in small workshops, and their products are made to order.

The manufacture of Czech beads is constantly evolving, which makes the range diverse dynamic and fresh. The bead makers are continually innovating new products and finishes and because of this bead supply is ever changing. Therefore if you see a range of Czech beads being carried by a bead supplier, be aware that it may well be manufactured only for that one bead supplier and it could be discontinued at any moment if demand is not sufficient. It is therefore wise to bulk buy your Czech beads if you need them for any given design.

As an alternative to pressed beads, another popular alternative is Fire Polished Beads. These beads are machine cut, faceted, and subjected to intense heat to give them sparkle. They can be used as an alternative to crystal and are sometimes referred to as crystal, but this is incorrect.

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