About Our Beads

 What is a Furnace Glass (Cane) Bead ? Furnace Glass Beads, also known as Cane Glass beads are made by heating glass in a furnace and then individually drawing long canes of molten glass that are then cut into various bead shapes including tubes, slices. Unique handcrafted beads polished to ensure that the maximum level of quality is reached. All made in the USA.
Swarovski Crystal - How Is It Made? What Make them Different?
Swarovski is an Austrian producer of crystal headquartered in Wattens, Austria. Swarovski has been a family-owned business since it was founded in 1895 by Daniel Swarovski. We feel is the finest crystal beads make.
How are these crystals made and what makes them so special ?
Glass is a combination of sand (silica), soda (a form of salt), and lime (burnt limestone). These common materials, in the presence of very high heat, will melt together forming common glass. When trace amounts of metal oxides are included in the mixture the glass takes on various colors. A little iron oxide (rust) will turn the glass a pale green, manganese oxide produces red, and cobalt in the melt turns the glass blue. Almost any color is possible, depending on the amount and combination of trace elements.  Lead to the introduction of small amounts of lead into the glass. This was 'lead crystal' and the Swarovski Company has had its own secret recipe for producing the world's finest crystal for over a hundred years. Unlike many other companies, Swarovski manufactures all its own crystal to exacting standards in its own factories. They control every step in the production of everything they make.  Not only did the company have a secret recipe, but the founder of the company invented a machine to facet the crystal glass with impeccable accuracy. The Swarovski faceting machines could produce cut crystal with more precision and greater speed than any other company. The result was to make what had once been expensive luxury items affordable to nearly everyone.