Glass Beads For Sale

Why do my old glass beads smell like vinegar?

I am an avid bead collector, and I store my glass beads in plastic boxes that have individual compartments. One thing that I notice is that periodically they smell like vinegar, especially the older recycled glass beads and the ones from India. Can anyone explain to me why they make this smell? Thanks!

Public Comments

1. My mother-in-law has glass beads for sale. Old ones from inside a wall in New Orleans. Im guessing its the plastic which you are storing them in. Or possible they produced acetic acid which smells like vinegar. update: Yeah they must contain cellulose acetate which breaks down into acetic acid. Very similar to glass. or the plastic in your storage is producing acetic acid but the way you subscribe it...some beads do not end up smelling.
2. Are you sure they're glass? I know that certain plastics will develop a vinegar smell and some will even break down and have a horrible sour milk/rancid cheese smell. Take a hot needle to the bead and see if it melts, if it does, it's not really glass.