Bead resin in UK.

I make my own paper and stone beads and for the paper beads I use a clear nail varnish. I use a Gloss clear polyurethane water-based varnish for my stones and both will generally last well. If your table is to be outside you'll need a polyurethane with UV resistance.

You could also use some floor polish like Pledge but that's a lot thinner.

Coats of white pva glue and water are not recommended but a gloss acrylic clear varnish may work well too. There is a type of this that mixes with acrylic paint to add shine but I guess it could be used as a stand alone (?)

Of course you could just laminate over a base couple of coats of these to level things off and then fit with clear self-adhesive plastic or a clear perspex or glass top with some nice gold colour or ornate/decorated bolts.

Hope this is helpful.

Thank you very much. At least I have an idea now :)