Indian Glass Bead Oval 12x9mm Periwinkle Blue Opalino | Pack of 10

Indian Glass Kiln Beads offer a distinctive handmade aesthetic like these simple chunky oval beads which make great fillers.

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: Oval
Size: 12x9mm with large hole
Colour: Periwinkle Opalino