Native American bead?

[MOGARDE]

Hello,

We found this along the Missouri River in Central Missouri and are wondering if it could possibly be a bead. Appreciate any help.

 

[T.C.]

Sure looks like one to me! Very nice!

 

[dognose]

It may be a bead.
Or it may be a water worn crinoid stem - the Columal, which has broken apart. The water action over many years in the water would give the Columal a polished appearance.

a separated segment

 

[MOGARDE]

It may be a bead.
Or it may be a water worn crinoid stem - the Columal, which has broken apart. The water action over many years in the water would give the Columal a polished appearance.
View attachment 2000315


a separated segment
View attachment 2000316

View attachment 2000317

Thanks for your reply. we have found a couple of water worn crinoid segments in the past. The thing that lead us to believe this was different is the convex shape on the edge that comes to a very distinctive point around the piece. The other two we have found over the years were very worn, rounded and blunted on the edges. Thanks

 

[smokeythecat]

It probably started out as a piece of crinoid stem, but the natives used these as beads a lot!

 

[CreakyDigger]

Yes, like smokey said, why couldn't it be both?