I think that I buy beads that 'give me something to do'.
Not that I am stuck for things to do, but.....let me try to explain.

I enjoy beads for their stories. I enjoy how finding a bead makes me dig into a specific history, a technique, a place, a material.

One of the first beads I started collecting were Venetian millefiori beads, and my desire was to try to bring some order in the patterns.

After that, I quickly became interested in Prosser beads, and they allowed me to do a lot of research and get a much better understanding of the trade in beads and the industrial revolution.

Now, I find myself looking for beads that have very specific stories. Beads that are made as copies of other beads, or to copy a precious material. For example: this weekend I bought a small jatim bead from the Bead Brothers, and picked out a replica to match it. Together, they tell a much more interesting story than just alone.

Not sure if it answers your question, but it was food for thought for me anyway.