The pearl, which sounds like a mysterious gem fished out of the depths of the ocean, is actually a man-made material. Its main components are glass and plastic, which are made through a special process. So, what exactly is the material of the shell beads?Let's uncover this mystery together!
First of all, let's talk about the "glass" composition of the shell beads. The glass here is not the transparent or colored glass we see in our daily life, but a special material called "borosilicate glass". This glass has high transparency, heat resistance and chemical stability, making it ideal for making shell beads. During the production process, borosilicate glass is heated to very high temperatures and then rapidly cooled to form a pearl-like structure. This structure gives the beads a unique luster and texture that can be mistaken for a real pearl.
Next, let's take a look at the "plastic" composition of the shell beads. The plastic here is not a variety of plastic products that we come into contact with in our daily life, but a special plastic called "polyurethane". Polyurethane is a material with high elasticity and toughness, which can withstand a lot of tension and pressure. In the process of making the beads, the polyurethane is injected into the mould of borosilicate glass, where it is tightly bonded to the glass. This combination makes the beads highly resistant to wear and impact, and can withstand all kinds of harsh environments.
In addition to glass and plastic, shell beads also contain some other additives, such as dyes, light stabilizers, etc. These additives can give the beads a wide variety of colors and shine to meet the needs of different consumers. At the same time, these additives can also improve the weather resistance and UV resistance of the beads, allowing them to maintain good appearance and performance in outdoor environments.
So, how are shell beads made?First, borosilicate glass needs to be heated to a very high temperature and then rapidly cooled to form a pearl-like structure. The polyurethane is then injected into the mould of the borosilicate glass, where it is tightly bound to the glass. Finally, through cutting, grinding, polishing and other processes, the beads show a perfect shape and luster.
Overall, a shell bead is a man-made material made up of glass, plastic, and other additives. It has high transparency, heat resistance, chemical stability, abrasion and impact resistance, and a wide variety of colors and gloss. Although pearls are not real pearls, their appearance and performance are very close to real pearls, so they are loved by more and more consumers. So, the next time you see a beautiful pearl, you might as well try to understand the craftsmanship and science behind it, and I believe you will have a new understanding of it!