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Bivalves as Beads

Bivalves, shells with two parts, are used for beads less than univalves (snails).
This is because of several reasons. Some bivalves are not very attractive (mussels, oysters). Others are thin and break easily (scallops). On the other hand, some are quite attractive and make interesting beads.

Pretty, patterned, often colorful, scallop shells are rather thin and are not easily pierced for use as beads. Rather few are ever used for this purpose.

Living scallops have lots of eyes around the opening of their shells and move backward by opening and closing their shells, making jets of water.

A successful use of bivalves as beads comes from stringing the heart cockle together into its original "heart shape. Tahiti.

Colorful, local Donax clams are strung up with pearly Clanculus snails from the eastern Atlantic, imported from Italy. This necklace was made in Veracruz, Mexico.

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