I'm one of the two proponents who have described the a-speo processes. There are many posts here that discuss them

The Italian term literally means "on a spit" (referring to the technique)--indicating that the bead is placed on a metal mandrel of rod in-preparation for being heat-rounded. I always tell Americans that this is something like toasting marshmallows--to give a visual impression.

There are actually a variety of a-speo techniques, either performed at a furnace or a "lamp" (nowadays, a torch, but formerly a different apparatus), and using different mandrels/rods for holding beads.

The a-speo techniques became routine at Venice in the 17th C.--and it's from this time that me know the majority of such beads (made at Venice, Holland, and probably elsewhere).

From the early 20th centuries, Venetians returned to making beads similarly, working at a torch, and using pieces of drawn canes, that include striped and internally complex (rosetta) canes. I refer to these as "late a speo" beads.

Among these, the most popular and well-known editions were made using typical 4-layer (and more rarely 6-layer) star canes. Externally, many of these are green, but also typical blue star canes. The popular name for the green beads is "watermelon star beads"--because oval specimens look something like tiny watermelons. (However, many beads are more spheroidal, and many are flat tabular beads.).

Unfortunately, this whole class of beads has (mistakenly) come to be called "melon beads," even though they do not have the usual melon-form external shape. Let's avoid THAT! (This is a typical example of what happens when bead sellers adapt names without understanding the intent of the name.)

Unless I see your beads and conclude otherwise, I would guess that they are "watermelon star beads, that are correctly called "late a-speo beads" (this name having been invented and promoted by yours truly). Of course, it's also possible your beads are not derived from star canes--but are from other canes treated similarly. You'll have to tell us or show us, to be sure.

Practically no books deal with this class of beadmaking--nor do any routinely use this name. These beads were not distinguished from "hot-tumbled" (also heat-rounded) beads, until after 1982, when I instigated their investigation. Giving credit where it's due, Karlis Karklins discussed a-speo beadmaking in-print before I did--though I discussed it in various lectures for quite a few years, and in small publications, prior to his article in BEADS. Between 1982 and recent years, Karlis and I have constantly shared information, and largely agree on the history I have just summarized.

I hope this is helpful.

Jamey