I put up this question on my post below in response to mosquitobay, who said the beads I used in those particular necklaces have "character." I think it's better to start a new thread (assuming anyone else is as interested in this question as I am). As I said below, although "character" is usually found in old, well worn beads (and old people), some new beads (and young people) have character and some old beads (and old people) do not. Anyone willing to take a crack at clarifying what constitutes "character" and are you looking for that (among other things) when collecting beads?