Ms. Frit, I have customers who've had these for ages and have never heard that there was an issue with the silver this way. I have a few beads I have kept over the years with silver on the surface and i honestly don't see a difference from the day they were made. I think that's only when silver beads are next to an etched bead that there is a marking or tarnish issue. If it does tarnish, great news...you can use jewelry cleaner on it since it's glass.
Tracie, unfortunately, I think the technique needs to stay in the round or pressed. The heat it takes to pull the scales together would round out a pre-formed, squared bead.
Tina, how did it work for you?