Boro beads are made of borosilicate glass, which is a tough, long-lasting glass that was originally developed for laboratory glass and cookware. As a result, borosilicate beads are extremely durable and hardy, and they can be used in a variety of applications. Boron beads are sold in many craft stores, and they are also made glassblowers and hobbyists, who may sell some of their bead sets to the general public. Craft fairs, where smaller glassblowing companies may have their products on display, are an excellent source for boro beads.
Borosilicate glass was first developed in the late 1800s, and it was only available in clear form at the time. Several glass companies began making and selling colored borosilicate glass in the 1980s, creating a market for borosilicate art glass items such as lampshades, vases, and beads. Northstar Glassworks is a well-known manufacturer of colored borosilicate beads for the art glass industry, offering a variety of colors and opalescent borosilicates for crafters to use.
Art glass boro beads can be very ornate, and they can be quite expensive. They usually have a swirl of colors and come in a variety of sizes; because they’re hand-blown, they’re usually one-of-a-kind. When a glass blower sits down to make a set, he or she does so all at once to keep the conditions as consistent as possible, ensuring that the beads will all match, even if they appear to be slightly different. There are also less expensive commercially produced boro beads available, which may lack the fine detail and artistic nature of art glass but are still suitable for a variety of projects.
Pyrex beads are another name for these beads, which refers to a popular brand of borosilicate glass. Many people enjoy working with boro beads because they can be quite striking in appearance and are less prone to cracking and breakage than other beads. They can be used in a wide variety of beadwork projects, from necklaces to hairpieces, and many people enjoy working with them because they can be quite striking in appearance and are less prone to cracking and breakage than other beads.
Boron beads, on the whole, look best in natural light, preferably on a sunny day. Indoors, the beads can appear dark and dull, masking the vibrant colors and patterns. This is something to think about when looking for boro beads. If possible, take the beads into the light of a window or outside, if the shopkeeper permits it, to see how they appear in natural light; you might be surprised the depth of color.