Bone
Bone has a long history of being made into beads for use in jewelry, decorative items and trade. Today’s bone beads are derived from cow, sheep, or camel bone, and are a byproduct of the food industry. Occasionally, beads from water buffalo bone or more exotic animals are used; beaders should use caution when buying bone beads from unregulated sources to ensure they are not from an endangered species.
Bone beads can be used to create unique, individualized jewelry pieces
Prior to making into beads, bone is carefully processed to remove any unneeded residue, oils or gelatins. This ensures that the beads are clean and sanitized. Bone can be formed into many shapes, and while it is durable and strong, it can be carved easily using modern tools. Most bone today is hand carved in Indonesia. While bone can be dyed nearly any color, it is most commonly found in natural ivory, cream, brown, or black. Dyes may be used to accentuate carvings or striations on the bead.
Bone is a great look for unisex jewelry and can be paired with leather, silver or brass for earthy, organic styles. Because bone beads are hand carved, each one is slightly different, which contributes to unique and individualized pieces of work.
– L. Kvigne
