Round glass beads are typically crafted using one of several traditional methods, each suited to different scales of production and quality outcomes:

Winding Method: This is one of the oldest techniques where glass is heated to a ductile state and wound around a steel wire or mandrel coated with a clay slip known as “bead release.” The glass, while still hot, can be further shaped using tools like graphite or wood paddles. This process, often called marvering, helps achieve the desired shape. Once shaped, the bead may be decorated with colored glass rods called stringers for intricate designs, then cooled slowly in a kiln to avoid cracking.

Drawing Method: In this technique, a gather of molten glass is pulled into a long strand with a bubble in the center that forms the bead’s hole. This was historically done by inserting a hollow metal tube into the hot glass and pulling it out around the tube to create a continuous glass tube, which is then cut into individual beads. These beads are often rolled in hot sand to smooth edges without closing the holes.

Molding Method: Modern mass production often involves pressing molten glass into molds to create uniform shapes. This method is particularly used in the Czech Republic for producing fire-polished beads. The glass is heated, pressed into the mold, and then a needle creates the hole. After pressing, beads might be fire-polished to give them a shiny surface.

AB-White Porcelain-Imitation Coating:

AB (Aurora Borealis) Coating: The AB coating on glass beads gives them a prismatic effect, diffusing light into a rainbow of colors. It’s a surface treatment that can be applied to enhance the visual appeal of the beads. For round beads intended to mimic porcelain:
Application: After the beads are formed and cooled, they might be coated with an AB finish. This involves dipping the beads into a solution or applying the coating using a chemical vapor deposition process, where metals react to produce a prismatic sheen on the bead’s surface.

Porcelain Imitation: To achieve a white porcelain-like appearance with an AB effect:
Base Coating: The beads might first receive a base coat to mimic the white, smooth look of porcelain. This could involve a luster or nitro-cellulose lacquer coating with pearl pigments to give a creamy, opaque finish that looks like porcelain.

AB Effect: After the base, an AB coating is applied to create the iridescent quality over the white base, enhancing the bead’s appearance with a shimmering, light-refracting effect. This combination gives the bead depth and a unique glow, mimicking the lustrous yet subtle appearance of porcelain under different lighting conditions.

The combination of these coatings results in beads that not only look like porcelain but also have an added visual dimension due to the prismatic effect of the AB finish. These processes ensure that the beads are both decorative and durable, suitable for various jewelry applications.