Trade Bead?

[Sugaree]

On Sunday I went out to a spot in Jackson County NC with TXmailDude34. It's the same spot where I had hopes of finding a trade bead two posts ago. Not far from our starting point on top of a plowed row sat a bead n o way!! Well it sure looks and feels like it is made of glass. ItIt does have a ding or two. This field is known to produce trade beads. Some dating to around 1730. The top and bottom have a ring around it not sure if it's how it cracked or how it's made or maybe indicating something more modern. I just did a google search on trade beads and a Wikipedia picture sure looks similar as well as a picture on Peach State Archeological site. Also did a search on this site and checked out the Trade Bead page learned a lot. Well what do ya think just wishful thinking or a Trade Bead?

[SurfaceHunter]

Nice find I know nothing on beads but I’d be interested in seeing what others say. Maybe Dennis will see this he finds a lot of beads

[Sugaree]

I knew very little about trade beads until this week also so really I don't know much. I've been obsessed by them since finding it though. As our hobby usually does, it's sent me in many historical directions especially Western NC settlement timeframes.

[gregszybala]

For now a definite maybe. You find a few more eventually you'll know for sure. Hope so.

[Sugaree]

Thanks Greg! The promising thing is that this field definitely produces trade beads. The last time I hunted this field I found a modern plastic Bead in the middle of the field while looking for beads? But yea I'm feeling very good about it but really don't know. I did reread your Hudson Trade Bead post again thank you great info!

[Kentucky point]

Looks beady.

[redrocks]

Nice Marshall . could be... a plastic one...now .This? Hmm. .. there's definitely a connection? Crazy man

[Sugaree]

Definitely crazy found it immediately then scoured rest of field no more. It's an interesting part of our history.

[Jethro355]

Could it be ivory?

[Sugaree]

I guess it could be but I'm definitely leaning towards glass. The ones that have been found in this field originate from Italy and are made of glass just hope mine is one of those.

[Tam]

Gasp ....I never thought of that Jethro . It fits the area .

[chase]

I would lean towards trade bead your third thumbnail pic from the the left shows a divot. which would indicate porcelain.

[Sugaree]

Thanks chase!! When I did a Trade Bead search on this site I saw where pkfrey posted a booklet on trade beads by Gary Fogelman. It's for the North East but looks like a good booklet so I might try and find it.

[south fork]

Nice trade bead good eye .

[Sugaree]

Thank you!!

[SDhunter]

Congratulations. It sure looks like one.

[Sugaree]

Thanks Gary!

[Tam]

Well I have never found on except in my mail box lol.
certainly a treat of a find .

[Sugaree]

Thanks Tam!

[OnewiththewilD]

That’s cool! Good find man.

[Sugaree]

Thanks Jay!

[wmwallace]

Sure looks like a good one to me, not familiar with the all white ones, I have a few but I also know in what I have studied there are a boat load of varieties. Colors and types when you start to study those gems will drive you batty. To me the beads make typing points seem easy!! Lol. The only think that I do not know is if different styles of beads dominated in different areas here when the trading was going on. That would be an interesting study. Awesome find though, I pray you find more, have you seen any of the other beads recovered in that area?? Might help you out in your quest to know.

[Sugaree]

Thanks wmwallace! Yes I have seen another bead that came from this field. I've been obsessed with the first contact period lately. I've got a lot to learn!

[TxMailDude34]

Hey Marsh, I'm glad you were able to find that bead. It's not plastic, I can assure you. Look at how imperfect it is. It is handmade. We need to find more!

[Sugaree]

Thanks Adam!! It's one of my favorite finds. Probably 130 years older then any non NA made artifact I've ever found.

[Josie]

That's awesome!

[Sugaree]

Thanks Josie!