...after being told my "Russian Blues" were merely sandcast beads I went seeking information. I did manage to find the Picard's book-Russian Blues Faceted and Fancy Beads. And, I did see that there did seem to be a color(colour for you Stefany) of Russian Blues that was similar to the color of my overly priced sandcast beads. You know the color, right and they are opaque.

Okay...maybe you've picked up on where I'm heading with this...no? Well, and this isn't because I just can't accept what I've been told(some of you are thinking it...you know who you are :)...). But, is it at all possible that someone crushed up a strand of these lighter blue opaque Russian Blues to produce this strand of sandcast beads? Is this idea way out there? Go ahead...I can take it.

The chevron pictured is that first chevron