Ultraviolet-sensitive beads (UV beads) are
beads that are colorful in the presence of
ultraviolet radiation. Ultraviolet rays are present in
sunlight
Sunlight is a portion of the electromagnetic radiation given off by the Sun, in particular infrared, visible, and ultraviolet light. On Earth, sunlight is scattered and filtered through Earth's atmosphere, and is obvious as daylight when t ...
and light from various artificial sources and can cause
sunburn or
skin cancer. The color change in the beads alerts the wearer to the presence of the radiation.
When changing colour they undergo
photochromism.
When the beads are not exposed to ultraviolet rays, they are colorless and either
translucent or
opaque. However, when sunlight falls onto the beads, they instantly turn into red, orange, yellow, blue, purple, or pink.
References
External links
Description of ultraviolet-sensitive beads and related products
Beadwork
Craft materials
Jewellery components
Ultraviolet radiation
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