Bead Information and FAQs!
Frequently Asked Questions About Beads

Precious Metals
Price Fluctuations in Precious Metals
Sterling Silver Beads
Bali Beads
Gold Beads
Vermeil Beads
Base Metal Beads

Cloisonné Beads

Cloisonné beads have a colored patterned covering their surface. First, the artist forms metal (such as copper or brass) into the shape of the finished object. A paper pattern and a pencil are used to transfer a design to the metal object. Partitions that act as color-separators are applied.  The partitions are bent and cut to length from flat wire stock (usually by hand using simple pliers) while paste is applied with a small brush. Heating the piece in an oven permanently affixes the partitions to the base metal. A water-based paste is painted into the partitions. After dried, firing in an oven melts it onto the metal. Several repetitions build up the coatings to the height of the partitions. The surface of the bead is ground and polished to form an even and smooth surface. The exposed metal is electroplated to prevent corrosion.