A strand of approximately 38 cm of small mother-of-pearl heishi beads in freshwater, in natural tones of ivory, sand, and café au lait. Each bead has its own brown veining and a soft satin sheen, giving the strand the gentle, lively look of polished driftwood.
Features:
- Material: natural freshwater mother-of-pearl (shell)
- Shape: heishi
- Size: approximately 4.5 mm in diameter
- Thickness: approximately 3.5 mm
- Hole: approximately 0.8 mm
- Strand length: approximately 38 cm
- Quantity: approximately 111 beads per strand
- Color: ivory, beige, and brown, variegated
These heishi beads are ideal for layered bracelets, boho-style necklaces, spacers between stone beads, and lightweight earrings. Their sandy tones pair well with gold, wood, tourmaline, or jasper. For a smaller quantity, these same beads are available in a lot of 20.
The material: mother-of-pearl is not a stone but an organic material, secreted by the mollusk to line the inside of its shell. It is made of tiny aragonite platelets, a calcium carbonate (CaCO₃), bound by a protein, conchiolin, and stacked like the bricks of a wall. This architecture creates the iridescence and depth of its shine. These beads are cut from freshwater mussel shells, whose natural tones range from ivory to café au lait, veined with brown. Its hardness is modest, 3 to 4 on the Mohs scale, with a density of approximately 2.7.
Good to know: like all calcareous materials, mother-of-pearl is sensitive to acids, perfume, hairspray, and cleaning products. Wear your jewelry after applying perfume and simply wipe it with a soft cloth.
Symbolism: linked to water and the moon in many cultures, mother-of-pearl is traditionally associated with softness, protection, and calm.
The strand you will receive: the photos show a strand from the lot your order comes from. The tone, veining, and nuances are therefore representative of what you will receive; as each mother-of-pearl piece is natural, slight variations from one bead to another are part of its character.
100% natural product: the size, shape, tone, and number of beads may vary slightly from one strand to another. Dimensions and quantities are given for reference only.