| Beads are amongst the oldest human art | | | | colourful and bright, making them |
| and technology, dating back 30,000 | | | | fashionable and popular in modern times |
| years. They have been dated back to at | | | | for all cultures. |
| least Roman times. Perhaps the earliest | | | | There are many types of beads and all |
| glass-like beads were Egyptian faience | | | | are named according to the way they are |
| beads, a form of clay with a | | | | made, including wound, drawn, |
| self-forming vitreous coating. | | | | moulded,lampwork, Dichroic, furnace and |
| Glass beads are usually categorized by | | | | lead crystal. |
| the method used to manipulate the glass. | | | | The Types of glass used to construct |
| Most fall into three main categories: | | | | these include rod, sheet, soda lime, |
| wound, drawn, and moulded. There are | | | | lead, and borosilicate. The material |
| composites, such as millefiori, where | | | | chosen often depends on the hardness, |
| cross-sections of a drawn glass cane are | | | | colour, durability, and size required. |
| applied to a wound glass core. A very | | | | Nowadays the Czech Republic is a |
| minor industry in blown glass beads also | | | | well-known and reputable producer of |
| existed in 19th century Venice and | | | | these object. Both online and in stores |
| France. | | | | worldwide, Czech glass beads will be |
| It is believed that the Egyptians first | | | | sold for a much high price on average |
| used faience (a glazed fused quartz | | | | than most other types of glass beads. |
| composite) but later developed the core, | | | | These Czech pieces are often used in |
| wound and mosaic methods of using glass | | | | necklaces and bracelets and are sold in |
| to make beads and other decorations. | | | | renowned jewellers across the globe. The |
| They were the first culture to have | | | | Czech's have a reputation for creating |
| glass-making guilds. | | | | beautiful yet durable glass beads |
| Glass beads, however, were not limited | | | | consistently. |
| to the Egyptians in ancient times. There | | | | Many people enjoy making their own |
| have been glass beads found in | | | | jewellery . There are even stores where |
| archaeological sites dated between | | | | one can pay to make their own jewellery |
| 2,000BC and 10AD in both Austria and | | | | with glass beads that are provided for |
| Switzerland. | | | | them. This has become a popular hobby |
| In modern times, they have become a | | | | for many people and has increased the |
| popular form of jewellery, especially in | | | | recognition of glass beads across the |
| African cultures with | | | | world. In additon , Lampwork and other |
| necklaces,bracelets, and anklets made of | | | | artictic craftybeads are back in vogue |
| these materials. They can be extremely | | | | on the jewellery ciruit. |