Fire polished faceted glass beads are one of the staples of every beaders stash. Beautiful beads, all made in the Czech Republic by Preciosa, they are available in many sizes, colours and finishes and are more economical than cut crystal beads.

To make a fire polished faceted bead you first make a round bead. Faceted faces are then ground away, one at a time, from the surface of the glass before the beads are placed in a kiln to 'fire polish'. The heat of the kiln is just hot enough to make the glass glaze over into a high shine.