shell beads

[larson1951]

this is the types of shells the mandans used for making shell beads
they used bird bone more than these shell beads but these shell beads are fairly prolific
larson1951

[Tnmountains]

I am guessing freshwater Lars. Are those critters still in your creeks and rivers??

[The Grim Reaper]

We find Marginella Shell Beads on our sites and they are a sea shell found along the east coast. I know I have found them on the beach at Myrtle Beach, SC. I also have a couple pieces made from Abalone Shell.

Here's 4 of them in this picture long with a Shell Disc Bead. The Marginellas were rubbed on one side until a hole was worn through and then strung on necklaces or hung from clothing or blankets.

[larson1951]

i think they are called gastropods (the smooth one)

we find marginellas here also although they are not as common as the ones that I posted