How To Buy Lampwork Beads

During a recent interview, sculptural lampwork bead artist Faith Davis Ferris offered some advice to help us buy jewelry made with lampwork beads. Read How Lampwork Beads Are Made for explanations of some of the beadmaking terms used.

Faith's Lampwork Bead Buying Tips

It's so very important for buyers of lampwork beads to be aware of quality issues. There's no magical timeframe when beadmakers create quality work. Serious beadmakers, both the very new and longtime artists, who are dedicated to the current renaissance of glass beads will make certain any beads that leave their hands are first of all properly kiln annealed, have rounded or 'puckered' ends (soft - not sharp), are free from bead release, have no cracks or crazes in the body of the bead or at the stringing access points, and guarantee their work.

Ask Beadmakers Lots of Questions

As a buyer, don't be afraid to ask questions. Don't hesitate to return beads that are flawed, especially if purchased on the Internet, where it's sometimes difficult to confirm quality prior to purchase.

Buyers set the standards of acceptable quality in any marketplace. Do ask if lampwork beads are kiln annealed. Sadly, some beadmakers believe that fiber blankets or vermiculite or crock pots or rotating your bead slowly in the flame can fully anneal a bead.

On a molecular level, that's just not so, and even kiln annealing has to be done properly to be effective. If you discover that the beads are kiln annealed you at least know the beadmaker is on the right track.

Watch For:

The ends of lampwork beads should be totally smooth.

Sculptural beads should have no cracks in narrow areas like fins or legs or tails.

Dots on round beads and pupils on eyes in sculptural beads should be solidly attached. If you can put your thumbnail under a dot and flick it off, it wasn't applied with enough heat.

Powdery bead release should not sift out of a bead when it's gently tapped.

Check Lampwork Beads for Balance

Are beads well balanced? There's nothing worse than a fish that goes belly up on your chain or cord because he's not balanced properly. Carry a strong three-inch headpin with you and ask the seller if you can place the bead on it to check the balance of the bead.

Those are just a few things to keep in mind when purchasing lampwork beads, both sculptural and non-sculptural. It's a bit more difficult to evaluate beads after they're been placed in jewelry, but most designers are becoming savvy about quality vs. price per bead when it comes to lampwork. And if beads fail and are returned, the designer will likely investigate the problem with the beadmaker.

I think I can safely say that any dedicated beadmaker (full time, part-time, or hobby) or any jewelry designer, will be more than happy to make sure that you are an educated buyer.

Faith Davis Ferris is one of our Featured Artists. Read about her and view additional photos of her work.