Hi Carl,
I can see from your first photo that the 1st and 3rd layers of this bead are actually translucent dark dull greenish blue. I've seen this before. It's apparent around the tips of adjacent white starry layers.
It is often problematic to characterize glass beads as being "black," because there is practically no surch thing as "black" glass. What is typically perceived to be "black" is usually a saturated translucent color—often dark dark red, green, blue, or most often (since the Roman Period, and particularly among Venetian beads) violet. Venetians did make some 16th century chevron beads, made with a glass that is the closest to "black" I am aware of. This rare glass is dark saturated neutral gray glass. This is the only glass I would characterize as "black glass" (in a Venetian context). The rest are just difficult—but not impossible—to distinguish. Your bead is not so uncommon, as core colors go.
Jamey
Hi Jamey,
Thanks for the information, I appreciate your input.
Several people looked at this chevron in the sun today and all said they thought it was a very dark blue or a blue/black but no one mentioned green so your response is particularly interesting. As I age it is getting more and more difficult for me to tell the difference between dark blue and black.
All that said, I have to disagree with your comment about this color sequence, or these dark colors, not being uncommon.
Hi Carl,
Please do not misunderstand the context!
If we're talking about all of the beads in the world, your bead is "very uncommon." But if we're talking about early 7-layer chevron beads, and the variations of core/3rd layer colors, your bead is "not that uncommon." The "truer black" glass I discussed would be more-rare than the color of your bead.
Among the dark blue glasses used in 16th C. drawn beads made at Venice, there are a few different tones of blue. One of them is NOT classically cobalt blue, but tends to be somewhat duller and greener. THIS is the glass that makes the core and 3rd layers of your bead. It is still very much "dark blue" glass, bt compared to the typical glass it's on the greenish side of blue, and of a more dull (not pure or bright) end of the spectrum. Don't misunderstand and think I said it's "green glass." I didn't say that (!).
That's all I meant.
Jamey
The deafening noise of the palpitations of my heart at the sight of this stupendous, dropdead ,gorgeous bead, Carl, you don't need anyone to tell you that this is indeed an unusual, uncommon bead!!!! You know, I know it, and, probably most of the other forum memebers know it! Congratulations to the proud owner!
