Leland Blue Bead 5

$58.00

1 cm wide x 1.5 cm high

Hangs on 18″ rubberized cording with sterling silver clasps

Matte finish

Made in Bayfield, WI

1 in stock

1 in stock

This beautiful Leland Blue bead was created by Bob Wright.  Thanks Bob.

LELAND BLUE (ANTIQUE FOUNDRY GLASS) c. 1875-1900

This unique “gem” is a byproduct of the short-lived days of smelting iron ore in Northwest Lower Michigan. The ore from the Upper Peninsula’s Mesabi iron range arrived in Leelanau Co. by schooner. A charcoal made from beech and maple hardwoods plus a local limestone flux were used to refine the ore; the slag byproduct was considered waste and dumped into Lake Michigan. This material ranges in color from black to green, to blue and purple, with the various shades of water-like blues being the most prized and rare. Under 2% of the slag created was blue, depending on environmental factors. The lucky and determined beachcomber may still find pebbles along the shore.

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