Intricately crafted silver Bali beads are a popular addition to jewelry designs. The fine artwork of high-quality Bali beads makes them easy for experienced crafters to spot. However, those unfamiliar with the beads can fall victim to cheap reproductions. With the glut of replicas on the market, how can you tell genuine Bali beads from imitations?
Genuine Beads Originated in Bali
As their name suggests, genuine Bali beads originated from Bali, Indonesia, whose silversmith culture reaches back at least 2600 years, when trading among Southeast Asian countries fueled the popularity of the beads. While other countries have begun crafting Balinese-style beads, unless the craftsmen are well trained in this intricate art, they may not have the same style, detail, and quality.
Real Bali Beads are Exquisitely Detailed
High-quality Bali beads are created by the steady hands of dedicated master silversmiths. Each handmade bead is a piece of fine art and quite different from mass-produced, machine-made beads. Crafting techniques and patterns are passed from generation to generation, with new elements added as artists hone their skills.
Like cloisonne beads, Bali beads have a very specific manufacturing process. Bead designs are created by the application of granulation (silver dots) and wires soldered together in intricate patterns. The silver solder is heated by a torch flame, which oxidizes, turning the bead black. Some sections are later polished while others remain dark, creating a beautiful contrast. Even in beads that appear at first glance to be similar, you will notice slight variations in size, weight, and oxidation. Each completed bead is truly a unique work of art.
Bali Beads are Crafted from Sterling Silver
Real Bali beads are made of high quality .925 sterling silver (not fine silver). Choosing beads crafted only of sterling silver will ensure your jewelry will remain beautiful for years to come.
Crystal Findings Bali Beads Come in a Variety of Shapes
We offer beautiful, exquisitely detailed, handmade, sterling silver Bali beads. You can find the perfect Bali beads to use as a design centerpiece or accent with our expansive selection. We offer Bali beads and jewelry making supplies in a wide range of options to enhance nearly any design, from the simple to the ornate.
Fancy beads
Spheres
Rondelles
Ovals
Tubes
Spacers
Charms
Clasps
Silver findings
And more
Never mistake low-quality doppelgangers for authentic Bali beads again. Create stunning, one-of-a-kind jewelry designs with genuine silver Bali beads. Shop wholesale beading supplies in the USA from Crystal Findings today.
Sterling silver beads for jewelry making are a popular choice among jewelry crafters and customers. Though durable and beautiful, however, shimmering sterling silver items will tarnish over time. The darkening that occurs is a form of corrosion from reactions to everyday substances like oxygen, water, and sulfur-containing foods. But unlike rust, it does not break down the metal beneath. Fortunately, tarnish can be removed and prevented with the right jewelry care techniques.
Wear Sterling Silver Jewelry Regularly
Wearing sterling silver can actually prevent discoloration. The oils from your skin can protect sterling silver beads, helping them maintain their shine.
Avoid Contact with Substances that Cause Tarnishing
Don’t wear sterling silver Bali beads or other sterling silver jewelry when bathing or swimming. Remove bracelets and rings that could come into contact with cleaning products or foods. Also avoid contact with sulfur-containing products such as wool, latex, eggs, mustard, mayonnaise, and onions, which can accelerate tarnishing. Wait until after applying makeup and perfume to put on sterling silver jewelry, making it your finishing touch.
Store Sterling Silver Jewelry Carefully
Limit exposure to air and humidity, which accelerate tarnishing, by storing sterling silver items in sealed bags, such as zippered plastic bags that close tightly. Insert humidity absorbing chalk, activated charcoal packets, or silica gel packs in the storage container for added protection. Be sure to store each item separately to prevent scratching and tangling.
Clean Sterling Silver Regularly
Regularly polish your sterling silver alphabet beads and jewelry at the first sign of darkening and after wearing it to remove skin substances that cause discoloration. Do not use abrasive towels or tissues – only soft nonabrasive flannel and microfiber materials. Polish back and forth. Do not use a circular motion as this can magnify scratches.
Ways to Clean Sterling Silver Jewelry
Cleaning sterling silver beads isn’t hard. There many safe options for cleaning and removing tarnish, including:
Silver polishing cloth
Tarnish-removing polishing cream
Easy Silver Cleaning Bath – The “Electrolyte Cleaning Method”
This at-home method is easy and safe. Start by lining a glass bowl or container with foil. Add 1-2 tablespoons of salt and baking soda. Place your sterling silver jewelry in the bath and let it soak for 5 minutes. (You may notice a rotten egg smell – this is normal.) After the tarnish disappears, rinse thoroughly with cool water and dry with a soft, lint-free cloth.
Note: For heavily tarnished jewelry, you may need to repeat the cleaning process a few times. But your persistence will pay off – cleaning can make even the oldest sterling silver jewelry shine like new again.
When to Enlist Professional Assistance
If your silver jewelry has significant discoloration or is fragile, old, or valuable, it may be best to have it professionally cleaned.
Sterling silver beads can provide many years of enjoyment. Create designs that remain bright and beautiful. Shop jewelry making supplies wholesale at Crystal Findings today.
