There is presented a cold cathode subminiature fluorescent lamp comprising a glass envelope, a pair of lead wires sealed to the envelope and extending through the envelope at an entry location to the interior thereof, an electrode mounted on the lead wires in the envelope, and a ceramic-glass bead formed on and around the lead wires in the envelope between the electrode and the entry location. The electrode includes a plurality of metal wire tabs. The envelope contains a fill gas comprising neon and argon.