The story
Glass bead making in and around Varanasi uses lampwork: artisans melt glass rods over a flame and wind them into beads of many shapes and colours. The beads are sold to jewellery and garment-trim makers in India and abroad. Glass beads are one of the clusters that MSME-DI lists for Varanasi.
In numbers
No published source we could open prints current numbers for this cluster.
GI tag
- Varanasi Glass BeadsApplication no. GI Application No. 177; Registration No. 276GI Registry, IP India - Application 177: Varanasi Glass Beads
Ways in for a newcomer
- Designer bead jewellery sold online
- Supplying beads and trims to garment exporters
- Bead-making workshops for tourists
- Gas-torch and kiln upgrades as a service
Problems the cluster faces
- Competition from cheap machine-made beads
- Fumes and heat in small lampwork units
- Rising cost of glass rods and gas
- Little access to fashion buyers
Businesses to start here
Brass (Metal) Jewellery Making →Decorative Glassware →Handloom and Handicrafts Retail Shop →