what caused this? * warning big pics* (sorry!)

[Ness]

Finally playing with my pixie dust after having it sit on the shelf for ages.  I've used it a few times, encased with no problems ( I can't do the surface thing yet, it just wipes off!).
I got this from the kiln this morning, cleaned it and found these curved fractures, I can feel them with my nail.
'scuse the big pics -




Can anyone suggest what caused it? It's not thermal and it doesn't look like any incompatibility I've seen (not seen much though).  
Did I do it with the Dremel when I cleaned it? The bead is 006 clear with pixie dust encased again in 006, with Kalypso and more 006.

[sarah t]

what a bugger looks like a lovely bead 

i have no idea but it looks like it comes from the hole so could be the cleaning process

[princess pink]

They look like flat squished air bubbles. You sure they're cracks? X

[beadysam]

Is it just that one area or both ends?  I've had that effect with Lauscha where I've encased stuff it didn't like.  You might want to try a couple of test beads and have a look through polarising filters.

[Ness]

Definitely cracks, at one end only.  Very sad 

I think I'll have to get some polarising filters anyway - I've always meant to get some just to check my annealing.  Thanks for reminding me of them, Sam.  Will give you a shout when I have some dosh.