Fire polished beads are glass beads made in the Czech Republic with machine-cut facets that have been heated, or fire-polished, so that they are slightly rounded and very sparkly. The fire polish process gives the beads a softer, polished look. As a result, each fire polished bead is slightly unique.
Fire polished beads have been popular due to their variety of colors, shapes, sizes, and finishes. They are highly used in jewelry making and beadwork. The beads are heated to high temperatures which creates the signature smooth, shiny, and sparkly surface. No lead is used in manufacturing, alleviating health concerns.
Various Finishes and Coatings for Fire Polished Beads
The beads are molded into shapes then re-heated to give the signature shimmer. The size determines color intensity. Various metallic coatings like aluminum and tin give silvery finishes. Aurora Borealis is a popular iridescent coating that reflects rainbow colors. Other coatings like vitrail, lustre, and matte are also used.
Where do Czech glass beads come from? The answer is Preciosa Crystals. They offer an equivalent level of sparkle and brilliance to Swarovski Crystals. With similar shine and depth but at a more affordable price point.
These crystals have been mined in Mexico for over 150 years, which is why it is commonly known as Mexican fire opal. Deposits are dug from sandstone, basalt, and rhyolite bands near ancient volcanoes, which line these Mexican highlands.
Fire agates have beautiful iridescent rainbow colors, similar to opal, with a measurement of hardness on the Mohs scale of between 5 and 7 which reduces the occurrence of scratching when polished gemstones are set in jewelry.
Fire polishing, also known as flame polishing, is a method of polishing a material, usually glass or thermoplastics, by exposing it to a flame or heat. This method is most applicable to flat external surfaces.
Understanding Fire Polishing Process
What does fire polished mean? Flame polishing, also known as fire polishing, is a method of polishing a material, usually glass or thermoplastics, by exposing it to a flame or heat. When the surface of the material briefly melts, surface tension smooths the surface.
Starting with Glass Polishing
How do I get Started with glass polishing? Before polishing glass, acquire the necessary tools to set up a studio, which include a kiln and ventilation system (fusing and lampworking), and/or a torch kit (lampworking).
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