Loose Bead Appraisal

Faceted Clear Crystal Bead

This item is a loose, colorless faceted bead, likely composed of leaded glass crystal or high-quality synthetic acrylic. It features a round, brilliant-style pavé cut, with multiple triangular and kite-shaped facets designed to maximize light refraction and internal reflection. Centrally located on the bead is a visible drilled hole, suggesting it was intended for use in jewelry making, costume embellishment, or as a decorative component for a lighting fixture such as a chandelier. The bead measures approximately 6mm to 10mm in diameter based on its scale against the woven fabric background. The clarity appears high with no obvious internal inclusions or occlusions, such as bubbles or carbon spots. The edges of the facets show significant signs of wear and abrasions, specifically noticeable 'flea bites' and minor chipping along the girdle and crown facets, which indicates it has either been used previously or stored loosely with other abrasive objects. There are no visible maker's marks, etched logos (such as the Swarovski swan), or signatures, which is typical for mass-produced component beads of the mid-to-late 20th century. The overall craftsmanship is consistent with industrial machine cutting rather than precise hand-lapidary work.