These Fire Polished Beads have been made in Northern Bohemia (part of the Czech Republic) for centuries. Production of glass beads in the area dates back to the 14th century. The production process starts with the highest quality Czech glass, which is pressed in a mold, then precisely faceted by machine and polished in a direct fire. The advantage of a fire polishing technique is a softer, gentler appearance to these beads. This unique look of slightly rounded facets helps to tone down the hard lines of machine cut crystals. A huge color and size range, lots of different coatings and the ability to blend well with other types of jewelry components makes these beads at home in both modern and vintage designs. ~ Please note that color deviations due to natural properties of glass cannot be avoided. Color shade may change in different lots of raw glass. Larger sizes tend to be darker due volume of material used. ~ These are cost effective yet superior quality faceted beads. Your satisfaction is guaranteed.