*** You will receive actual strand of beads in pictures**** ***These beads are SMALL and appear larger in photos, please check measurement*** These are mix of new African glass beads and ancient glass beads are over 400 years old from an excavation site of Djenne, Mali and are also known as Ancient Roman Glass Beads. They are beautiful shades of yellow and orange and other mixed colors. The beads have minor chips and pitting from centuries of aging underground, which is part of their beauty. These one of a kind artifacts are perfect for creative jewelry designers that love history. Mix them when precious stones and metals or wear there as they are. Djenne was an important trade route during 12th-18th centuries and the Djenne people would bury their these beads in clay pots in various hidden sites. These buried treasures where known as their "banks", as these beads were used as a form of currency. Today Djenne is an important archeological site where artifacts are still being excavated, however these ancient beads are becoming more and more rare and hard to find. Approximate Number of Beads: 140+ Bead Size: 3-6mm diameter (strand is graduated) Hole Size: 1-3mm Strand Length: 28" ita ito: string together Our business is rooted in our love of hand craftsmanship, history, and authenticity. We work carefully to source items that are uniquely hand-made as well as hard to find vintage items from remote areas in Africa. Sourced from materials (such as recycled glass and metal) that use low impact, sustainable and ethical processes, we employ artisans and craftspeople in a place rich with bead making history.