Re: Distinguishing
Re: Three strands of small chevron beads. -- nishedha Post Reply Edit Forum Where am I?
Posted by: Beadman Post Reply
03/26/2025, 16:41:37

Nishedha (and anyone),

The easiest way to distinguish between Venetian chevron beads, and what might be copies or imitations involves examining the cross-section star pattern--because these can be made differently from one industry to another.

Venetian rosetta beads derive from star-molded canes. India has made imitations since 1985, but their canes are hot-striped, and severely lack precision. They are sloppy. Javanese canes appear to be modeled or sculpted. (Tooled.) These are slightly better than Indian canes, but are less-precise than Venetian canes.

Chinese manufacturers learned to copy the Venetian molded-cane method in the 1930s (+ or -). So their canes for beads were made "in the Venetian style." Since ca. 2003, Chinese manufacturers have cranked-out millions of new chevron beads. But until ca. 2006 the details (of the actual beads, NOT the canes) were contrary to appearing "Venetian." And also, so far, they have not made realistic copies of small chevron beads, in the style of beadmaking being discussed here. It has been remarked that Chinese canes and their beads are actually superior to many (older) Venetian beads. And I have to admit this is true-enough.

I am currently composing a pictorial essay on Venetian beadmaking, based around rosetta beads, for a Facebook Group. This will be followed by an exposition about how Indian beads are made and how the beads differ from Venetian beads. This is important, because, currently, the biggest ongoing glass bead scam, is the misrepresentation of recent Indian beads as "old Venetian trade beads." There are 100s of online offerings every day!

I will post my essays here once they are up at Facebook,

In the meantime, I agree that your chevron beads are Venetian. Whether you made a worthwhile trade or not depends upon the values of each. I hope you are satisfied!

JDA

bcn_nv_chavron_bds_mar25.jpg (134.7 KB)  


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