The glass bead industry in the Czech Republic began to take off in the 1700's when glass makers first imitated, then improved on Venetian techniques of creating glass stones for jewelry. At the time, the Czech Republic (then Bohemia) was a major center for cutting Pyrope Garnets. When German and Venetian glass makers began making red glass by adding gold, the demand for genuine garnets became much smaller. Bohemian glass makers soon learned how to make red glass and adapted the technique, adding glass canes and molds to facilitate the process.

The city of Jablonec and Nisou became the hub of the Czech bead industry, with many factories and craftsmen in neighboring towns. The Czech bead industry began to boom, with salesmen around the world gathering samples of foreign beads to be replicated in Czech glass. Unlike many other glass manufacturers, Czech bead makers were experts on grinding glass to facet it and remove seams created by the glass molds. Czech beads also became known for their beautiful finishes, such as fire polish. In addition to pressed glass beads, Czech bead artisans were also expert at handmade lampworked beads.

By the beginning of the 20th century, the Czech bead business was booming. This boom didn't last however, as World War II began. After the war, Czechoslovakia became a Communist nation, and all of the bead factories became one nationalized company called Jablonex. At this time, many Bohemian glass makers emigrated to Germany and Austria where companies like Swarovski were already established.

After the Communist government was removed in the "Velvet Revolution" of 1989, the Czech bead industry became privatized once again. Along with the classic Czech bead designs still made from old molds, many new designs and finishes continue to be produced and sold throughout the world.

Beadworks carries fun and affordable Czech glass beads in every color of the rainbow. Whether you are looking for pressed glass beads, fire polished beads, seed beads, or handmade Bohemian lampwork glass, you can find it at Beadworks.

Sources:
Beads of the World, by Peter Francis, Jr. ©1999 Schiffer Publishing Ltd.
Beads: An Exploration of Bead Traditions Around the World, by Janet Coles & Robert Budwig ©1997 Simon & Schuster