Click picture to see entire image:

Cost per bead:

9 cents

Bead material:

Glass

Country of origin:

Czech Republic

Size/shape:

6mm 'Renaissance' faceted (not sure what that is, but that's what the supplier calls this shape).

Colors/description:

Milky light grayish lavender with a light-brown mottled coating on the ends and between the facets.  I call them "amethyst" because the color is similar to real light amethyst, although not as colorful.

Hole size:

1mm (estimated).

Defects:

I haven't noticed any significant defects.  However, fire-polished beads always have some imperfect facets.  To read about the fire-polishing process, click here.

How photographed:

At the window in natural daylight.

Comments:

These are unusual beads.  I love the 'Renaissance' shape, and I like the milky amethyst color (although it is perhaps too grayish and muted), but the golden-brown picasso coating seems a little out of place.  Important:  The newest batch of these beads has less milkiness (less white) in the purple.  I actually prefer the new beads.