cancel
Showing results for 
Show  only  | Search instead for 
Did you mean: 

Are these authentic Venetian Beads?

Hello, 

 

Can anyone tell me if the beads with the white centers are venetian or fake? I don't know if Venetians have white centers. If they are what time frame are they?

 

Thank you.

Message 1 of 7
latest reply
6 REPLIES 6

Are these authentic Venetian Beads?

I just posted a question about another bead on the other Jewelry & Gemstone Board . The bead specialist ( Belle ) told me that Venetian or Murano beads have polished centers , never white .

Mermaid 🐳
Message 2 of 7
latest reply

Are these authentic Venetian Beads?

Belle made a mistake? A number of Venetian beads have had white centers for centuries "white heart/Cornaline d'Aleppo" the most well known.But the OP's beads are modern and not older.

Message 3 of 7
latest reply

Are these authentic Venetian Beads?

I see no mistake or contradiction. Venetian lampwork beads were made one at a time on a core of copper wire. The finishing process dissolved the wire leaving no residual. Finished beads had a polished look of consistent color.

 

Similar beads were made several at a time on steel rods. The agent used to release the beads from the rods, left a residual that lined the holes with a white color not found on Venetian lampwork beads due to method of production. This may be what Belle had in mind.

 

"Cornaline d'Aleppo" refers to a type of Venetian bead layered in specific colors. White may be at the core - the inner layer, but it's a specific color of glass rather than a residual color.

 

"Fiorato" meaning flowered, is another type. We know them as Wedding Cake Beads, typically decorated with aventurine glass in overlaid and trailing patterns. The flowers include rose buds and forget-me-nots. A white color lining the thread holes would indicate they are not Venetian.

 

Sorry, I'm not expert enough to comment on OP's photo of beautiful beads.

Message 4 of 7
latest reply

Are these authentic Venetian Beads?

Thank you everyone for your help.  I thought some of them modern but they are still beautiful.  

Message 5 of 7
latest reply

Are these authentic Venetian Beads?

They are very pretty . I especially like the Fenicio ( Italian for feather ) one , which is similar to the bead I was inquiring about . I also really like the dotted or speckled ones . Hmmm wonder what they are called ....

Mermaid 🐳
Message 6 of 7
latest reply

Are these authentic Venetian Beads?

They are all so nice. I'm with Mermaid though, I especially love the feathered stones. heart

 

Diane

Message 7 of 7
latest reply