Venetian Beads - Venetian Beads

Venetian Glass Beads which fit under the categories of lampwork beads and foil glass beads are hand made from Moretti (also called Effetre) glass cane which is considered to be the finest quality glass in the world. It is prized for its clarity, stunning color representation, and overall durability. The exact recipe for this glass is a company secret that has been handed down for hundreds of years. Their glass is renowned for its ability to maintain color brightness and clarity for hundreds of years. This means your Venetian glass beads will not fade!

Using heated glass, the artisan forms the desired shape on a mandrel (metal rod). After a brief cooling period either 24k gold foil or silver foil is wrapped around the glass shape. Finally another layer of glass is heated and wrapped around the existing foil encased glass shape. The choice of foil and the glass color combine to produce beautiful effects.

For many years Venetian bead makers used a copper mandrel that they later dissolved away using acid. Before tighter environmental controls were enacted, this acid was frequently disposed of in the waterways surrounding the islands. Some bead makers transitioned to using a heat proof ceramic slip that keeps the glass from sticking to the rod. In this case some ceramic residue will be visible inside the bead. Some bead makers continue to use this method today. Other bead makers continue to use the copper and acid technique while employing better and more environmentally friendly recycling methods. While there are many Venetian-LIKE beads out there, the presence of the ceramic clay is not indicative of their origin. Our beads are made using the copper and acid technique so the centers are clear of any residue.

Most Venetian glass bead making used to take place on the island of Murano. As a natural business evolution much of this work has moved into Venice and the surrounding areas. Murano glass and Venetian glass are used interchangeably to describe the same thing.

Baguette Gold Foil	Baguette Silver Foil	Bicone Gold Foil	Bicone Silver Foil
Cone Gold Foil	Cone Silver Foil	Cube Gold Foil	Cube Silver Foil
Cylinder Gold Foil	Cylinder Silver Foil	Diamond - Gold Foil	Diamond - Silver Foil
Disc (rounded edges) Gold Foil	Disc (rounded edges) Silver Foil	Fan Blade Gold Foil	Fan Blade Silver Foil
Flat Cube Gold Foil	Flat Cube Silver Foil	Heart Gold Foil	Heart Silver Foil
Nickel-shaped Gold Foil	Nickel-Shaped Silver Foil	Olive Gold Foil	Olive Silver Foil
Parentheses Gold Foil	Parentheses Silver Foil	Rectangle Gold Foil	Rectangle Silver Foil
Rondelle Gold Foil	Rondelle Silver Foil	Round Gold Foil	Round Silver Foil
Square Gold Foil	Square Silver Foil	Stars Gold Foil	Stars Silver Foil
Teardrop Gold Foil	Teardrop Silver Foil	Triangle Gold Foil	Triangle Silver Foil

|| Return to Wholesale Bead Supplies

[ top ]