These long glass “pendents” are actually not beads – but magnetic switches. If you have a look at the closeup photo I've provided you'll see the electric components and if you held a magnet against one side the switch would move. Once the magnet is pulled away from the switch it will go back to its original position. I didn't know much about them until I made a post on my blog and a fellow wrote to tell me he worked in a factory making them. There are three of these long switches in this piece and where the copper wire exits the glass I've put some tiny blue beads to give it a bit more detail. These switch earrings are long and thin – about 5cm (that's around 2 inches) long. The switches dangle from various bits of modern hardware – some gear star shaped washers. There are on a very nice earring hooks made of sterling silver – and they close at the back – so you don't have to worry so much about loosing one.