Well Joyce, they look newish, I have to admit.

What's the story again about Chinese bead making? Bead factories stopped production during much of the 'Cultural Revolution'? Then some bead production of older styles began again at some point?

Were the beads in my photo for trading outside the country, or were they for use inside China?

I know, I know.... so many questions.

One thing I can say... the millefiori slices were made from 'rolled' cane, creating the spiral effect. This is how I recognize them. This technique also appears sometimes in Japanese beads.