Naturals: Wood, Pearls, Shell, & Amber Beads
Natural beads bring warmth and life that even the finest gemstones can’t replicate. Our Naturals collection gathers organic materials—wood, pearls, shells, amber and more—each simply shaped, polished and drilled to showcase its native color, grain or iridescence.
Browse honey-glow Baltic amber, richly patterned rosewood and sandalwood, luminous freshwater pearls, creamy mother-of-pearl buttons, wampum and spiny oyster shells, plus ethically sourced coral accents. Strands run 8 or 15 inches and feature clean 0.5 – 1.0 mm holes that slide easily onto standard beading wire, cord or silk.
Blend these naturals with gemstone rounds for earthy contrast, string an all-wood mala for lightweight comfort, or spotlight a single iridescent shell focal in coastal-themed earrings. Every strand is inspected in Minnesota for color, surface quality and drilling accuracy, so you can design with confidence and let nature’s own palette do the talking.
Natural Gemstone Beads for Timeless Jewelry Pieces
Products: 302
Troca Shell 12-14mm (Dyed) Green Free Form - 15-16 Inch
A Trochus shell, also known as Troca, is a type of marine gastropod shell, often referred to as a "top shell" due to its distinctive conical or spi...
View full detailsMother Of Pearl 12mm Black Donut - 15-16 Inch
Mother of Pearl, also known as Nacre, is an iridescent composite of organic and inorganic material most known for being the coating of pearls. It i...
View full detailsWampum Shell 10mm Round - 15-16 Inch
Wampum is made from one of the hardest and most beautiful shells in the world: the Northern Quahog, a clam found along the New England coast. The w...
View full detailsWampum Shell 4x14mm Tube - 15-16 Inch
Wampum is made from one of the hardest and most beautiful shells in the world: the Northern Quahog, a clam found along the New England coast. The w...
View full detailsWampum Shell 8mm Rondelle - 15-16 Inch
Wampum is made from one of the hardest and most beautiful shells in the world: the Northern Quahog, a clam found along the New England coast. The w...
View full detailsWampum Shell 8mm Cross - 15-16 Inch
Wampum is made from one of the hardest and most beautiful shells in the world: the Northern Quahog, a clam found along the New England coast. The w...
View full detailsSpiny Oyster 3mm Red Heishi - 15-16 Inch
Spiny Oyster 5x7mm Red Barrel - 15-16 Inch
Spiny Oyster 3mm Heishi - 15-16 Inch
Mosaic 15mm Inlay Coin - Abalone, Coral, & Gaspeite - 15-16 Inch
These detailed inlay coin beads have a variety of stones such as Abalone, Coral, Gaspeite, Turquoise, Jet, and Mother Of Pearl.
Mosaic 15mm Inlay Coin - Coral, Gaspeite, & Mother Of Pearl - 15-16 Inch
These detailed inlay coin beads have a variety of stones such as Coral, Gaspeite, Mother of Pearl, and Turquoise, Jet
Mosaic 20mm Inlay Coin - Coral, Gaspeite, & Abalone - 15-16 Inch
These detailed inlay coin beads have a variety of stones such as Coral, Gaspeite, Coral, Abalone, MOP, and Turquoise.
Conus Capitaneus Shell 15x28mm Puff Rectangle - 15-16 Inch
Conus capitaneus, common name the captain cone, is a species of sea snail, a marine gastropod mollusk in the family Conidae, the cone snails and th...
View full detailsBlack Tab Shell 33mm Puff Kite - 15-16 Inch
A "black tab shell" refers to a type of seashell that has a dark, almost black, color with a subtle sheen. These shells are typically a fan-shaped ...
View full detailsTiger Cowrie 25x30mm Puff Tab - 15-16 Inch
Freshwater Pearl 2-3mm White Rice Pearls - 15-16 Inch
Unlike most gemstones found within the Earth, pearls are organic. Simply, they grow inside the shells of certain species of oysters and clams. Some...
View full detailsFreshwater Pearl 3-5mm White Crispy Rice Pearls - 15-16 Inch
Unlike most gemstones found within the Earth, pearls are organic. Simply, they grow inside the shells of certain species of oysters and clams. Some...
View full detailsFreshwater Pearl 2.5mm White Potato Pearls - 15-16 Inch
Unlike most gemstones found within the Earth, pearls are organic. Simply, they grow inside the shells of certain species of oysters and clams. Some...
View full detailsFreshwater Pearl 2-3x4mm White Potato Pearls - 15-16 Inch
Unlike most gemstones found within the Earth, pearls are organic. Simply, they grow inside the shells of certain species of oysters and clams. Some...
View full detailsFlip Flop Assorted Shell 10x24mm - 15-16 Inch
Mosaic 20mm Inlay Coin - Mother Of Pearl & Spiny - 8 Inch
Mosaic 20mm Inlay Coin - Abalone & Mother Of Pearl - 8 Inch
Mosaic 20mm Inlay Coin - Abalone & Spiny Oyster - 8 Inch
Mosaic 20mm Inlay Coin - Mother Of Pearl/Spiny Oyster/Jet - 8 Inch
Black Mother of Pearl 25mm Swirl Coin - 15-16 Inch
Mother of Pearl, also known as Nacre, is an iridescent composite of organic and inorganic material most known for being the coating of pearls. It i...
View full detailsSpiny Oyster 8-20mm Purple Graduated Rondelle - 15-16 Inch
Spiny Oyster 12mm Free Form Rondelle - 15-16 Inch
Spiny Oyster 8x11mm Triangle - 8 Inch
Turquoise and Spiny Oyster 4mm Heishi -15-16 Inch
Turquoise is an ancient gemstone, one of the first known to man. Known to Egyptian and Aztec cultures thousands of years ago, Turquoise is now mine...
View full detailsMother of Pearl 10mm A Grade Coin Cabochon
Mother of Pearl, also known as Nacre, is an iridescent composite of organic and inorganic material most known for being the coating of pearls. It i...
View full detailsMother of Pearl 12mm A Grade Coin Cabochon
Mother of Pearl, also known as Nacre, is an iridescent composite of organic and inorganic material most known for being the coating of pearls. It i...
View full detailsMother of Pearl 15mm A Grade Coin Cabochon
Mother of Pearl, also known as Nacre, is an iridescent composite of organic and inorganic material most known for being the coating of pearls. It i...
View full detailsNatural White Wood 8mm Round Bead- 15-16 Inch
Like all of Dakota Stones items, our wood beads are top quality and sourced from the best ethically produced manufacturers. Natural wood beads have...
View full detailsWampum Shell 10mm Heishi - 15-16 Inch
Wampum is made from one of the hardest and most beautiful shells in the world: the Northern Quahog, a clam found along the New England coast. The w...
View full detailsCoral 6-10mm Rice Golden - 15-16 Inch
Coral is the skeletons of once to living sea coral, composed of hard calcium carbonate, colored by carotenoids. The colors of coral are permanent a...
View full detailsTurquoise and Spiny Oyster 8mm Round - 15-16 Inch
Turquoise is an ancient gemstone, one of the first known to man. Known to Egyptian and Aztec cultures thousands of years ago, Turquoise is now mine...
View full detailsHammer Shell 5mm Heishi - 15-16 Inch
Sea shells are one of our most ancient decorations. Our prehistoric ancestors used to string them into necklaces or hang them from cords as pendant...
View full detailsBrown Lip Shell 5mm Heishi - 15-16 Inch
Sea shells are one of our most ancient decorations. Our prehistoric ancestors used to string them into necklaces or hang them from cords as pendant...
View full detailsWampum Shell 6mm Heishi - 15-16 Inch
Wampum is made from one of the hardest and most beautiful shells in the world: the Northern Quahog, a clam found along the New England coast. The w...
View full detailsMother of Pearl 10mm Puff Star Black - 15-16 Inch
Mother of Pearl, also known as Nacre, is an iridescent composite of organic and inorganic material most known for being the coating of pearls. It i...
View full detailsShiva Eye Shell 8x10mm Puff Oval - 15-16 Inch
Shiva Eye shells—also known as Pacific Cat’s Eye or Operculum—are the protective "door" of Turban snails, found in Thailand/Indonesia. They symboli...
View full detailsWampum Shell 8mm Round - 15-16 Inch
Wampum is made from one of the hardest and most beautiful shells in the world: the Northern Quahog, a clam found along the New England coast. The w...
View full detailsWampum Shell 12mm Round - 15-16 Inch
Wampum is made from one of the hardest and most beautiful shells in the world: the Northern Quahog, a clam found along the New England coast. The w...
View full detailsWampum Shell 8mm Heishi - 15-16 Inch
Wampum is made from one of the hardest and most beautiful shells in the world: the Northern Quahog, a clam found along the New England coast. The w...
View full detailsAbalone Shell 15mm Flat Coin - 15-16 Inch
Abalone Shell is strong and is made of stacked calcium carbonate tiles. When the abalone shell is struck, the tiles slide instead of shattering abs...
View full detailsMulti Wood Beads 10mm Round - 15-16 Inch
40mm Shell Mosaic Pendant Pair
Each pendant pair will vary slightly from what is pictured.
40mm Mixed Gemstone and Shell Mosaic Pendant Pair
Each pendant pair will vary slightly from what is pictured.
Frequently asked questions
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What counts as a 'natural' in this collection?
Naturals here are organic or biogenic gem materials — formed by a living organism or plant rather than by geologic mineralization. Pearl and Shell come from mollusks, Coral and Fossil Coral from marine colonies, Amber from fossilized tree resin, Wood from trees, and Bone and Horn from animal sources. Mineralogically these aren't gemstones in the strict sense (no crystal structure, lower Mohs hardness, often porous), but they've been used as drilled bead material for centuries. Mineral varieties like Agate, Jasper, and Quartz live in the main gemstone categories. If you want stone-like density and hardness, shop those instead; if you want organic warmth and color range, this is the right hub. -
Which materials does Dakota stock under Naturals?
Active inventory includes Pearl (freshwater, the deepest assortment), Natural Shell, Spiny Oyster (Mexican shell with orange-to-purple color range), Lion's Paw (scallop shell), Wood beads in several species, Coral and Fossil Coral, Amber, Natural Horn, and Bone. Cuts trend toward round, rondelle, heishi and tyre, coin, rice, and tube — shapes that suit the working material. Size availability concentrates between 4mm and 10mm for most stones, with larger 20mm focals in Wood and Shell. Specific origin, species, or shell type should be disclosed; ask before buying if the listing doesn't specify and you need it confirmed for a build. -
How does care differ from mineral gemstone beads?
Organic materials are softer (Pearl ~2.5–4.5 Mohs, Amber ~2–2.5, Coral ~3–4) and more porous than mineral stones, so they react to things mineral beads shrug off. Avoid ultrasonic and steam cleaners, hot water, perfume, hairspray, and household solvents — these can strip surface luster, dull polish, or etch the material. Light exposure can fade dyed Pearl, Coral, and Wood over time; store strung pieces out of direct sun. Wipe with a soft damp cloth and dry fully before storage. String on silk or nylon, knotted between pearls when possible, and restring periodically since cord absorbs body oils faster than with mineral beads. -
What treatments are common on organic materials?
Treatment is common across this category and usually disclosed at the product level. Freshwater Pearl is routinely bleached to even tone and often dyed for color; nucleation method varies by farm. Coral is frequently dyed, and dyed Coral should be labeled as such. Amber on the market is often pressure-formed (reconstituted) or heat-clarified — natural untreated Amber exists but commands different pricing. Wood beads are typically sealed, stained, or waxed. Shell may be dyed or coated. Treatment status should be disclosed; ask before buying if it isn't specified and disclosure matters for your customer or for a treatment-sensitive design. -
Can organic naturals be paired with mineral gemstone beads?
Yes, and the hardness gap is the main thing to plan around. Pairing Pearl (Mohs 2.5–4.5) with Agate or Jasper (Mohs 6.5–7) in the same strand means the softer material wears faster at contact points — use spacers, knots, or metal beads between them to reduce abrasion. Drill-hole sizes also vary: Pearl is often half-drilled or small-hole, while mineral rondelles run 1mm standard, so check compatibility with your stringing material. Visually, Pearl and Shell read as neutrals against most stones; Wood and Amber warm up cool mineral palettes like Amazonite or Aquamarine; Spiny Oyster bridges into Carnelian and red Jasper builds.