Click picture to see larger image:

Item no.:

G1125

Bead material:

glass

Country of origin:

Czech Republic

Size/shape:

6mm round (spherical)

Colors/description:

black amethyst and white in swirls, with a seam in the middle of each bead and a topaz coating on part of each bead; there also appears to be a luster coating on top of that

Defects:

I noticed that a small percentage of beads have cracks.  Usually, cracks are a "fatal" flaw, in my view, but not in this instance.  Only some beads are cracked, and the cracks are hard to see because of the complex pattern.  Also, I did not find even one broken bead, which would indicate that the beads stay together despite the cracks.  I don't know what percentage of beads are cracked, but I would estimate less than 10%.

How photographed:

At the window in natural daylight.

Comments:

Black amethyst/white beads are not that unusual.  What makes these beads interesting is the topaz coating on part of each bead.  The appearance is very interesting and complex.