600 Czech 4mm Crystal Clear Ab Faceted Round Firepolished Glass Beads 1/2 Mass Fire Polished
Fire polished beads are considered by many to be one of the most essential components for jewelry making. The Czech bead makers are famous for their exquisitely crafted yet relatively inexpensive faceted beads. To make fire polished rounds, the manufacturer starts with round pressed beads (druks). The beads are sifted onto a pronged board that is then fed into a faceting machine which angles the beads onto a grinding wheel. After all sides of the beads have been faceted their surface looks rough and matted. The polished finish is attained by laying the beads on a conveyer belt that feeds them into an extremely hot oven. The beads are heated to the point that their surfaces begins to melt, creating a naturally shiny finish.