Whether it's a colorful string of cheap plastic beads or a handsome necklace of collectible glass trade beads from West Africa, vintage costume jewelry made of beads is a favorite of those who want to make a statement when it comes to their adornment. Indeed, beads are so versatile—they can be accents at the end of a pair of earrings or the only material in a bracelet—it's difficult to think of jewelry without them. The earliest beads were...Continue Reading