set/7 Beads/Pendants/Buttons: Kauri Cowry Shell - approx 20 mm - Natural

A set of 7 beautiful Cowry Shell beads

• Size; length approx 20 mm each (sometimes a bit larger) x 15x8 mm
• Natural shades of Cream/Off White
• You can string them (also on leather cords) - they have no drilled holes. You could also use large jump-rings to make charms. Or you could sew them on a leather band or clothes.
• Price is for 7 beads as the photos where you can see that each bead (size/shape) is unique.

Shell money is a medium of exchange similar to money that was once commonly used in many parts of the world. Shell money usually consisted either of whole sea shells or pieces of them, which were often worked into beads or were otherwise artificially shaped. The use of shells in trade began as direct commodity exchange, the shells having value as body ornamentation.
Cowry shells were used in Africa and South + East Asia. Wikipedia offers lots more interesting information on this subject.