-
Your shopping cart is empty!
MENU
Your shopping cart is empty!
Welcome back to this new Blog, this time looking at the amazing selection of beads from the popular manufacturer Czech!
So this the the second part of our guide through the coatings and finishes that you can find across the Beads Jar store, and I thought that Czech Beads has so many unique and luxurious coatings that they needed a blog all to themselves! Czech beads are a variety of many different types and bead Shapes - from the simple Seed beads, popular for weaving and threading due to their smaller size and uniform shape to more non-standard shapes of the O-Beads (by Matubo) or the funky Dragonscales or dagger shaped ones - meaning that you will defiantely be spoilt for choice!
So grab a drink, take a seat and let's delve into part two of our beading guide!
Similiar to the coating presented by Miyuki and Toho beads, the Aurora Borealis coating is a prismatic metallic coating on half of the bead for a highly polished and reflective shine. These are one of the most popular beading coatings as their immaculate shine and appearance is an immediate attraction to beaders. They are prized for their visual apperance, as the colours can create different tones and effect - from giving a subtle metal allure to the bead, to a full diamond inspired effect emulating bright spectrum of colour from it's surface.
The full range of Czech beads with this amazing coating can be found here. We would implore that users of these beads that no additional coverings are needed - the Aurora Borealis coating on top of the beads is extremely supple and strong, and won't peel or discolour over age!
Unlike the precious gemstone with a light hue of golds and browns, amber beads from Czech are metallic beads coated in a brighter, full gold coating for added shine and strength. Just like it's gemstone counterpart, amber beads try to follow the natural colourings of the material, so you will predominately find the beads in a gold or gold variation of colour. Attaching these to some gold Findings, or even mixing them with other darker coloured beads can make some beautifully different pieces with contrasting but a contemporary colour scheme
Currently the amber beads are a specialised coating for the O-Bead branch of beads, which you can find the range here
Although a relatively uncommon material for beads, Alabastar is popular with many for it's opaque and milky appearance, which gives an unusual smooth texture to the bead with a slight sheen (compared to the bright metallic in matte finishes etc) which gives a subtle elegance to the beads themselves. It is a uncommon finish for most beads however, as most companies look toward standard coatings such as AB or Metallic, as the price point is significantly lower, but the Alabaster is still very much worth it's price as it's coating will last years longer and keeps it's strong colour and tone even with day to day wear.
Take a look at our full range of Alabastar beads here for more design and colour ideas!
Azuro is a specialised bead from Czech and known for it's strong vivid colour and beautiful equal shape. The Azuro coating is famous for it's spectrum of Blue hues – the finishing giving the bead a deeper richer colour which, when paired with perhaps White or Silver accompaniments would make a spectacular piece, as if created by the deep blue itself. A texturised metallic coating, Azuro is popular amongst Czech beaders for it's vivid blue colouration and Clear texture giving the beads a beautiful and deep quality.
For the full list of Azuro beads, the link for the full list of the beads can be found here
Crystal Gold Capri Tooth Czech Pressed Beads 6x16mm PK25
A vibrant shiny and smooth coating, Capri beads are known for their high reflective abilities and rich earthy metal colours of gold and Copper-tones these beads are longer lasting, and the thick coating is scratch proof and fade resistant. The coating also comes on a variety of bead shapes also – such as dragon scale shaped beads and dagger/teeth shaped beads – for interesting shaped necklaces and Bracelets for a regal but modern look.
California coated beads are unique in their styling as they one of the only deals to have a dual-coated metallic finish. Primarily the main colour of the beads are a rich gold colour, the second coating is a variation of different and vivid colours from reds to blues and greens and many more.
Some of the beads in the Czech collection are inspired by colour palettes from across history – such as the Kheopes “Sun” beads which the tones of reds, oranges and pale pastel colours are inspired by Egyptian pyramids and the warm colours of the desert it's surrounded in for a warm feeling. Paired with the Purple and red hues on it's opposite side, this gives the feeling of the sun reflected from the sand, and not just a flat gold colour.
The full range of California covered beads can be found here for more colours and designs!
Unlike the internet explorer, this chrome won't fail you and doesn't need any internet access (see what I did there?). Chrome beads are high shine and shimmer due to their chilled silver surface (sometimes they come in variations and mixes of other colder colours etc) which gives a modern and chic look to the bead. Like the material you might find on your household appliances, chrome finishes are high quality and long lasting, but need regular cleaning and upkeep to keep the coated shine.
Chrome beads would be perfect with a finer thread, such as Fine Line, as you want to keep the main attraction as the beads rather then the thread itself and matched with some Sterling Silver Clasps or bead endings would make a futuristic and contemporary creation. You can find the full range we have available here
Similar to the Ceylon beads and other beads with pearlised coatings, Celsian beads are Czech variation on the simple pearl finish. The beads are semi-transparent and covered in a layer of a milky, smooth lacquer for a light and subtle pearl sheen for a clean and chic look. To ensure the best results and coatings for the beads, Celsian coating isn't found on darker beads, such as dark blues or blacks, or precious metals (golds, silvers etc) due their darker hues and metallic colourings as the soft, milky coloring of the finish isn't as predominant compared to semi-transparent or glass beads. Celsian coatings can be also coloured for various pastel or pale colours to extenuate the light surface colours or help support the coloured beads themselves.
We have a select range of Celsian beads that you can find here for a look into these subtle but stunning beads!
Just as the name suggests, Gold Touched beads have a light powered golden finish to give the beads the golden lustre, without fully covering the surface or the original bead colour. Using the gold against a darker colour, such as blues, blacks etc, gives the bead an added dimension of colour. Although not textured, the light gold dusting gives the bead a almost matte, raised effect to the bead itself. Although the range isn't vast, the beads themselves are high quality and sought out for those wanting to create a modern and different piece.
Our range of these stunning gold inspired beads which can be found here
Iris is a common beading coating which can be found across a huge range of beads, not just Czech, but also Miyuki, TOHO and many more. The Iris coating has similar properties to Aurora Borealis beads but has a larger range of colours and variations of shine available. Iris beads has a iridescent coating in metallic to give the bead an almost “oil spill” effect to the bead – the main of the colour is complimented by the single coloured iris – be it green, purple etc – to give the bead a deeper and more subtle shine.
Click here to take a look at just some of our range of Iris beads!
Labrador are specialised beads whose creation is solely focused around silver and silver hues to give this steely, cold bead some extra life. Coming in a variety of matte, gloss and frosted finishes, these beads are a perfect match for anyone for embellishment in their soutache creations, or threading them to create a stylish and up to date necklace or bracelet.
The Labrador coating is versatile and comes on a range of Czech beads – from the popular Preciosa and O-Beads to the more unusual honeycomb and Dragon Scales – to ensure that you will be able to fit this bead into pretty much any project. The coating is extremely durable and will last through general wear, but may need some extra protection (such a lacquer on top of the beads) as perfumes and solvents can cause them to slightly discolour over a LONG period of time (Emphasis on the long!) but don't let that deter you however, as these beads are long lasting, and will be amazing in any project you may be looking into!
You can find the range of Czech Labradors here and hopefully you might adopt some and give them a new home!
Lustre has the most subtle finish of most of the beads, as it's more of an addition to the bead, then directly attempting to change the beads colour or design itself. Durable and transparent, Lustre is a glossy finish that is added to the bead and slowly heated to treat the bead – similar to adding a glaze to pottery in a kiln – to create a smooth and rich finish that doesn't deter away from the main colours or designs. For darker beads however, the lustre can almost add a white, creaminess to the bead, making the darker bead reflect light more, adding additional colour elements into the bead.
There are several subcategories of lustre beads that you will find throughout this blog post, including Vega, Picasso and other coated beads, as lustre (due to it's simple smooth and clear nature) get additional coloured pigment added for extra designs and tone changes. The full range of Lustre beads can be found here
One of the most common and popular beads available across the internet, Metallic beads have attracted many beaders with it's variety of looks, shine and appearance of casted metal. Metallic beads are glass beads that have been encased inside a thick plating of metallic coating to create a full and substantial bead. They come in a huge range of colours from natural golds, silvers and copper-tones to bright greens, yellows and blues each with a different texture and finish to ensure you find the correct bead for you.
Czech ones are known for their uniform shape and high quality, and if worn day to day will last a considerable amount of time. For extra protection I'd recommend that when creating the piece to lacquer a fixative to the bead surface to ensure that it will keep it's metallic brilliance for years to come. For a look into our Metallic range you can find them here!
Czech Dragon® Scale Glass Seed Beads 5mm Jet Marea - 9g
Marea beads are another unique bead from Czech, but goes through a similar process to Vitrail and Aurora Borealis beads, in which it's special colour is created through a chemical and heating process. Marea beads have a primarily yellow and orange reflection with flecks of purple and blue hues to create a visually stunning effect. The beads are usually coated on just one side, and the order is the main colour of the bead itself – many of the beads colourings match the yellow and orange reflective properties to create a beautiful and glittering effect to the bead itself. You can find the range of Marea beads here for your perusal.
GemDuo 2 Hole Czech Seed Bead Metalust Lipstick Red 8.5g
One of the newest coatings created by Czech beading, Metalust a new breed of metallic beads created with a pure lustre finish. Other metallic beads that are referred to as “lustre” may not be pure as they will still have a smoothness to the bead surface. The new range of Metalust are character beads – they have a slightly rougher texture then other beads and the colour is more vivid, bold and clean - imagine an expensive sports car with the metallic finish, the metallic isn't smooth but has smaller, almost flat crystal pieces inside which gives an extra dimension of colour and effect to the surface. They have the added benefit of being a slightly thicker coating also, meaning that they are difficult to scratch or remove the surface of the bead themselves. These would be perfect for any masculine jewellery you maybe looking to create - the textured, rougher finish of the bead with the bold colour would suit any creation and match a masculine personality perfectly.
Out full range of blight Metalust beads can be found here for you to try the new breed of metallic beads!
Jet Matte Picasso Dagger Czech Pressed Bead 5x16mm PK25
These beads are as expressive as the artist Pablo himself, Picasso beads have a spectrum of different colours embedded into the coating to create this flecked colouring which is incredibly striking and different. The speckled coating give the bead an almost natural effect – as if they had been either weathered and created this kaleidoscope of hues or if water had shaped the bead into it's finished design. The Czech Picasso beads have also been shaped and formed into interesting cuts and beads, from honeycomb to dagger tooth beads, to give the unusual beads an added elegance. A stunning necklace created from the tooth shapes would give a stunning drop design to the necklace for that dramatic and also gothic feeling.
Just like a gallery, click here to look through these Picasso beads and it might help inspire your next great creation!
Rainbow are one of the most common beads available on the market due to their popularity with the bright polychromatic colours and uniform shape and size. The rainbow effect has different appearances on different finishes – on a glossy rainbow bead, the colours are brighter and have an oil spill effect arching over the edges of the bead compared to the matt finish which has a more subtle colour but the rainbow colour is more intense and absorbs light better for a brighter reflection. Rainbow beads can also be coloured for more predominant singular colour, complimenting the beads base colour but also giving it a opalescent look – as if the bead's rainbow colour is encased inside the main colour but still gives the shine and brilliance the rainbow beads are known for.
So click here to find the Rainbow Bead (and maybe even a pot of gold!)
Another unqiue coating created by Czech, Sliperit beads have a similarity to Marea beads in which the beads are of a metallic finish coated around the bead with coloured pigment embedded onto one side for a two tones bead. Sliperit focuses its colour scheme on hues of golds, purples and fuchsia colours for a intense and warm coloured bead. I would recommend for these beads, as they are the show pieces themselves, to use simple and plain beading threads when threading them, in order to bring out the full look and appeal of these beads. (perhaps FireLine or even gold wire)
Click here for the range of Sliperit beads available at Beads Jar!
Vitrail beads are a specialist bead, very much like Vegas, Azuro and many others, who's smooth and silky coating gives opaque beads a iridescent and metallic style finish. The colours of the bead can be affected by the colour of the bead itself, but also, due to it not being contoured or formed like Aurora Borealis beads, refracts like to change the colours you may see back. As a standard, the colours are a smasdh of pinks, greens and blues with other colours flecked into the beads surface such as silves, golds, purples etc to create a kaleidoscopic flush of colours.
Czech Druk True 2mm Glass Beads Chalk Purple Vega PK600
This is a specialised bead coating, used for ruby siam beads. The beads are coated in a light and transparent lustre coating which is coloured with amethyst to give a red and purple hue to the beads, giving a deep and more vibrant tones and colours to the beads. Makes the bead almost look two dimensional in appearance, as the coating can create ridges in the coating (not physical ridges) to make it look like folded or moulded metal.
For a full look into our collection of Vega beads, you can find them here
And so, that ends another blog and I hope this was a good insight into the world of Czech beads and may even help you with your next selection and choice of beads! As always if you want to comment on this blog I always love to see your replies and questions. Head over to our Facebook (@BeadsJar) or our Twitter (@BeadsJar or #Beadsjar) and talk to me! If you have any questions or anything you'd like to add for future blog ideas email me at [email protected] and I will happily discuss and you could be featured in a future post!
We are currently still running a dicount on all your purchases is you use the code TODAY15 . Put this in at the end of your checkout for some money off your purchases! Only available for a limited time, so you this oppotunity to buy some new beads for all your projects, or even to stock up your favourites!
Have a wonderful day and happy beading!
Phill :D
Leave a Comment