Kika, much thanks to you and to Rosanna for letting me know these are genuine Venetian. I did take the advice and ordered 2 books by Picard (V and VI), and Dupin's History of Beads.

Coincidentally, while searching for the Dupin book I ran across this site (I tried to link it). I was surprised that I have almost every bead on the this strand and the next. It's fair to say I'm hooked. Thank you, again.