In borax bead test the coloured meta borates are
formed by transition metal salts.
$ Na_2B_4O_7 . \, 10H_2O \xrightarrow[-10H_2O] {\triangle} Na_2 B_4 O_7 $
$\hspace30mm$ $ \xrightarrow{\triangle} 2NaBO_2 + B_2O_3$
$ B_2O_3 + CuO \longrightarrow Cu(BO_2)_2 $
$\hspace30mm$ Cupric m etaborate
$\hspace30mm$ (Blue bead)