Indian Glass Bead Chunky Oval 18x14mm White ZigZag | Pack of 2

Indian Glass Kiln Beads offer a distinctive aesthetic featuring detailed designs on the surface such as these geometric patterned ones. They are decorated with a white zig zag pattern with metallic gold dots and cap at either end. It takes a 'master' of bead making to make these all look the same! The beads are the perfect feature accent bead or instant pair of drop earrings.

To create the surface treatment, the glass is heated with a flame torch and carefully applied to a mandrel to form the bead shape. This process requires a high level of skill to ensure the bead retains its structure. During production, as the bead cools, the exterior shrinks while the interior remains hot and expanded, which can cause cracking. To prevent this, beads are annealed in a kiln where the temperature is slowly reduced, making the final product stronger and more resistant to breaking.

Indian glass beads often arrive with a dusty white or grey coating. This material is called "kiln wash" or "slip," which is used to help the bead release from the wire during production. You can easily remove it by rinsing the beads with tepid water or wiping them with a cloth.

Shape: Chunky Oval
Size: 18x14mm with large hole
Colour: Clear with white zigzag pattern and metallic gold capped ends