Bali beads
Beads in jewelry have been in existence since ancient times. Though beads give an image of ethnic jewelry, every culture has utilised beads for ornamental purposes. An age old idea but still popular today, beaded jewelry could be made of any material including precious metals such as gold or silver as well as iron or other non precious metals. Some of these jewelry show intricate designs and carvings on the beads and are masterpieces on their own right. There are many different types and styles of beads that are used in jewelry.
Located in Indonesia, is a small island called Bali. Bali beads, as the name implies, are beads that are crafted in Bali. A rich culture, the Balinese have an age old tradition of metal smithing. Bali beads have gained popularity in recent years though the art is an ancient one. Though the concept originally came from the island of Bali, today these beads are produced anywhere in Indonesia, India, Thailand and the Middle East. Most of the master craftsmen are located in Celuk, which is a famous source of silver. In spite of the fact that Balinese prefer gold jewelry for personal use, they became famous for their silverwork in the 1970s and started exporting on a global scale.
Before going on to the history of these fascinating pieces of jewelry let us know more about Bali beads. One of the favorite items for beaded jewelry, Bali Beads go with a variety such as glass beads, gemstones, wood, etc. These beads are silver beads with intricate carvings and designs that give them their special look. They are granulated or decorated with wire, little silver balls and so on. They are available in a wide range of sizes and shapes from small round beads to large cone shaped ones. The appropriate amount of silver in the beads should be about 92.5 percent making it equal to sterling silver. Most Bali Beads are oxidised but a few are available as polished silver. Bali Beads are versatile and can be used to make any jewelry including necklaces, bracelets, earrings, etc. Sometimes, Bali Beads are also made of vermeil and gold plated.
Metal smithing as an art has existed in the region since the Bronze Age. Soon the Javanese became wealthy, they started to propagate the arts including designing jewelry. Goldwork and silverwork soon reached a high level of artistry. When the Muslims started to spread their influence in Java, the Hindus there fled to Bali to escape from their atrocities. Thus, Bali recieved a large number of craftspeople and artisans. The art has been kept in the family for centuries but recently, the Bali beads have become so popular that many artisan families are taking in outsider trainees in recent years.
Unfortunbately, like any other jewelry, Bali Beads are also subject to falsification and fraud. The buyer must beware of inferior quality products that are manufactured and sold at the same price as genuine. The first and most important criteria for judgement is the silver content. As mentioned above, the silver should consist 92.5% of the bead making it sterling. In an cases, beads with lesser silver are palmed off as the genuine thing. It is up to the buyer to discriminate. Another factor is that sometimes cast beads or imitation beads in base metals or plastic are available. These cost much less than the original authentic silver handcrafted beads and you must beware of these factors while purchasing.
Some signs that indicate low silver content or inferior quality of the beads are a redding discoloring, greyish or dull surfaces, imperfect backgrounds, yellowing, etc. some basic tests can help you decide whether the product is worthy of its price. Check out its finish and granulation. If the finish is not smooth and shiny and the granulationn neat and distinct, it might indicate bad workmanship. Check out the clasps and confirm whether they work properly or not. Another major test for ascertaining proper silver content is the weight of the roduct. If it is too heavy, it is probably not sterling silver. Over and above all these, simply pass it up if the beads appear too cheap because they probably are since genuine Bali Beads have the reputation of beauty and class. One of the surest ways to safeguard yourselves from inferior quality products is to purchase directly from one of the renowned silversmiths in Bali. Since this is not always possible, another option is to purchase from a well known and reputed jeweller.
With a reputation for beauty and possessing such versatality and vitality, Bali Beads are an excellent option for those considering beaded jewelry. In recent times, Bali Beads have gained such an immense popularity that the market is flooded with these beads. In spite of this, Bali Beads have managed to retain their uniqueness through their excellent designs and fine workmanship. So next time you are considering buying jewelry, try buying beaded jewelry composed of Bali Beads. You can even buy beads and try making your own jewelry. Only one thing you may be sure of where tese beads are concerned and that if you get the genuine article, you will be geting value for your money.
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