Chevron glass beads form one of the oldest varieties of beads. They were first manufactured in Venice in the 14th century. With time their popularity has grown immensely all over the world but the art of making them is now a veteran practice in African and north American countries.

The craft of making glass chevron beads involve intricate layering of different colors of glasses in diverse patterns. It is these large number of variations that make these beads exquisite pieces of beauty. The structure of of a chevron bead includes a white core covered with a blue layer of glass, followed by crimson, yellow, cobalt, green and a host of other colors. The color of the glass layers can vary. The most popular category of chevron beads display as much as 7 layers where as others reveal four, five and six layers of glass. The traditional craftsmanship of making these beads lies in the way the layers of glasses are placed to produce a vast array of fascinating patterns. Each bead delivers its own distinct vision and lustre.
Some common designs that these beads display are as follows:

• Chevron Mixes
• Chevron Side Drilled
• Chevron Individuals

Chevron beads can be used to address a variety of applications such as:

• Jewelry for making necklaces, bracelets, earrings and anklets.
• Accessories such as key chains and belts.
• Embellishments to adorn bags, purses, hobos etc.
• Adorning garments
• For making beaded curtains and other forms of drapes.
• For making various decoratives such as wall hangings, lamp shades etc.

The shape, size, color, number of layers and craftsmanship of beads is what decides their price and desirability. Owning to the beauty and their elegant appearance, they call for high export potential in many countries of America and Europe.