Heishi beads are one of the oldest forms of jewelry making; they have been rooted and created by native American culture. Such small disc-shaped beads are made using natural resources, including shells, stones and coral available in the environment. They exist from the old days and have been incorporated widely in almost all types of art, but in recent years, they have regained popularity in the art world and are worn in both conventional and modern styles of jewelry.
No matter if you are an expert in jewelry-making or if you just stumbled upon these smooth and adorable beads we invite you to learn more about these beads.
Table of Contents
What Are Heishi Beads?
Heishi beads can be small, thin and disc like or otherwise cut and shaped in any way such as more irregular. The term Heishi is derived from a Pueblo language and means shell and as “fine” shell items of turquoise as well as shells of the marine animals such as abalone were used. Other materials have however been employed to make these beads at different times including corals, woods, clay and even stones especially turquoise and lapis lazuli.
The process of making the beads is equally as laborious as the intent of each bead that is being produced. Raw material used is neatly sliced or placed in discs and then polished and threaded in making a beautiful aesthetic pattern. The beads can be arranged closely to each other or with spaces in between, as the preference maybe.
A Rich Cultural History
Heishi beads are of utmost importance within Native American, Indigenous, and especially Southwestern communities. Some of the more famous cultures located in the Southwestern United States that use these beads in their art are the Hopi, Zunis and the Santo Domingo Pueblo people.
In the past, these beads were used primarily for decorative purpose as well as for barter. It was used in operations to be strung into necklaces, bracelets, and earrings, and have some connection with ceremonies or beliefs. It also categorized for exchange between the different tribes and communities hence creating a hub for sharing techniques on how to bead come up with different styles of beads to be uses.
Today, these beads are still used in many pieces of Native American jewelry, craftmanship has evolved and many artists use contemporary designs while still plugging to tradition.
The Materials Behind Heishi Beads
While shell was the material of choice for Heishi bead production in the past, today’s artisans’ sources include natural material and artificial products. Some of the most common materials used in creating Heishi beads today include:
Shells:
Secondly, the most frequently used shells are abalone shells, conch and the shells of turquoise beads that are known by the Heishi name. Shells give a rather beautiful metallic sheen and are available in different colors.
Stone:
To Heishi beads, naturally colored stones such as turquoise, lapis lazuli and coral make the beads stand out and have an appearance of being expensive.
Wood:
Alaska can be made to design Heishi beads that will produce native looking beads more of an earth tone look.
Glass:
Modern Heishi beads can still be created from glass, which appears to give some of the product’s rich colors and similar sized beads.
Clay:
Ceramic or clay beads are normally hand rolled and fired, and are generally smooth, durable material to work with.
How Heishi Beads Are Made
Heishi beads are, therefore, beads of great intricate work that call for a lot of skill in their making. Traditional methods typically involve the following steps:
Selection of Material:
There are some important steps within the process of making the beads: the artisans choose the raw material (shell, stone, etc.).
Cutting:
The material is then cut into small round discs normally with the use of a knife. Pre aerial tools may have been used such as stones but now probably more advanced tools may be used.
Polishing:
The discs are also reshaped in an endeavor to make them as smooth as possible with rounded edges. This is normally done by hand with abrasion stones or by mechanical means in order to get a shiny surface.
Stringing:
When the beads are finished, they are then threaded on nylon cords to make necklaces, bracelets or any other jewelry.
Modern beads manufacture may slightly differ from the one described above but the passion and craftsmanship put on heishi beads are still the same.
Heishi Beads in Contemporary Jewelry
However, unlike Heishi beads that were expected to be used in conventional Native American accessories, the beads are now worn in modern style. They are easy to make, sturdy, and can easily be incorporated into hobby projects or used in professional designs.
Heishi beads are used in contemporary jewelry from simple elegant lines to exotic and showy necklace designs. Heishi beads may be incorporated in other subjects such as leather cord, gold or even silver findings to produce fashionable contemporary elegant bead which is still as traditional in view of the bead.
The beads are also appreciated for its colorful appearance and the natural patterns of the beads. It is easier to work with hoops so thin that they are almost invisible but pleasant on the skin thanks to their silky shine Their small size allows for the creation of layered jewelry that can be used for different events
Styling Heishi Beads
In fact, many professional designers find the Heishi beads to be extremely versatile because they can work in many different styles. Here are a few ways you can incorporate Heishi beads into your jewelry collection:
Layered Necklaces:
Make a multi-level beatnik style necklace by stringing the Heishi beads either in a casual manner with other forms of beads or charms.
Bracelets:
Heishi beads are versatile when put in bracelets designs, the beads can be used on their own thus creating space less bracelets or they can be used in collaboration with other materials such as gold or silver beads.
Earrings:
As a novelty, one can string Heishi beads on the earring posts or hoops to give minimalistic yet fancy looks to the product.
Anklets:
When it comes to creating lovely, bright summer anklets that can be worn at the beach or with relaxed clothing, heishi beads are perfect.
No matter if it is a modern boho style or a classic design Heishi beads are versatile and can be made to fit any kind of interior.
Final Thoughts
Heishi beads stand a testament to timeless elegance, indigenous tradition, and artisanship to this date. Once used only for ritualistic purposes, fast becoming a part of fashion accessories, there is something unique about these tiny handmade beauties that draws the eyes with detail and color. Thus, looking at Heishi beads today still being used in jewelry making, Not forgetting the worth of the handmade art today and the ever-colorful cultural influence in current trends.
If you are trying to add historical aspect, uniqueness and elegant touch to your jewelry pieces, Heishi beads should be your pick—one that would create a link between you and those with a vision of working on beads.
FAQs about Heishi Beads
Q1. What is a heishe bead?
Heishi bead is a small flat disc craft bead that is in the traditional form made from natural material such as shells, stones, and coral. The name “Heishi” is derived from the word in Pueblo language which means shell. These beads are non-tube, round to slightly oval beads with a non-uniform surface that provides hand-crafted texture.
Q2. What does heishe mean?
Heishi, the term from the Santo Domingo origin where the term means a shell, has formerly referred to necklace shell beads. Today, however, it defines small, individual beads of any type of material used in the production of accessories.
Q3. How can you tell if heishe beads are real?
Original heishi beads are crafted using materials sourced from the nature. Natural gems and shells should not be perfectly smooth or completely uniform in color; they may have small pits, color differences, and they should weigh accordingly.
Q4. What is heishe stone?
Heishe or heishi (hee shee) are little smooth disk/trumpet-shaped beads which are made from the shells of organic materials or ground polished gemstone. These are from the Kewa Pueblo people (formerly known as Santo Domingo Pueblo) in New Mexico before metals where incorporated into jewelry.
Q5. Why are heishe beads so popular?
Heishi beads are a popular material for jewelry, especially bracelets, for several reasons: Versatility: Due to its small size and flat round disc like appearance this bead finds its application in layering and stacking and can be easily threaded on to the elastic band for the latest trend of stretch bracelets.
Stay Tuned to Gems Tycoon for all gems-related articles.
