How do I know its crystal

It's hard to tell, but generally, if they are leaded crystal, the edges of the beads will be sharp. Firepolished glass generally has more rounded facets. Can you post a link to a pic?

Also leaded crystal is actually heavier in weight than just plain glass :)

Hi Ally, First, they will feel a bit heavier in your hand. They will also have sharper edges. And also the age, with the AB coating still intact under the grime is a good indication also. Here is a photo of Austrian Crystal, Czech Crystal and Czech Firepolish side by side. Just scroll past the Bali stuff

Beki

vj found this in rec.crafts.beads, from snipped-for-privacy@aol.com (DreamBeadr) :

]

thank you! i needed that link for my "explanations page"!!

----------- @vicki [SnuggleWench] (Books)

(Jewelry) newest creations: ----------- The measure of the menace of a man is not what hardware he carries, but what ideas he believes.-- Jeff Jordan

Thanks for that Beki. I have a drawer full of the from the antique fairs. Every time I go I seem to bring back several necklaces. One stall I visit the lady actually saves them for me.

I will check them all out today Shirley

In article , DreamBeadr writes

Hi Vicki, You are welcome. Do you have a link to your "explanations page"? =o)

Beki

You are welcome Shirley. Another good way to spot with the nekkid eye is to just look for the clarity of the bead. Crystal is clearer and brighter because of the lead content.

And lucky you with a drawer full!!

Beki

vj found this in rec.crafts.beads, from snipped-for-privacy@aol.com (DreamBeadr) :

]Do you have a link to your "explanations page"? =o)

but it's a "still-in-progress" thing.

----------- @vicki [SnuggleWench] (Books)

(Jewelry) newest creations: ----------- The measure of the menace of a man is not what hardware he carries, but what ideas he believes.-- Jeff Jordan

In article , DreamBeadr writes

Thanks the piccie is really helpful - not in the case of these beads unfortunately, but just for use for modern stuff, particularly the bali. Thanks ever so much. :-)

Thanks everyone. I'll try and post a piccie on my website (when I get a new FTP prog) and you can look and see them.

:-)

In article , ally writes

OK I did it. There is now a piccie of the crystals on my website. And a piccie of the necklace I made with my christmas present! :-)

Ally, does that FTP program apply to email? You could email a pic to me and I'd put it up in one of my albums for you. Just say the word and removethespam in my reply addy.

I'll go take a look in a bit.

Beki