Idar beads are largely from two different geological sources, Idar area itself and the vast agate fields of Brazil. Most of the beads we associate with Idar and the African trade are agates from Brazil, the vast majority of which are treated by either soaking them in sugar then heating them in acid or just dying them with various aniline dyes.Most Brazilian agates are rather insipid in color and contrast but they are very large, wildly abundant and take dyes well so they make a perfect industrial media.Very little attention has been given to alternate sources of agate and jasper for the Idar mills but I suspect that as the Idar supply diminished there may have been imports from northern Africa. Many localities have limited amounts of agate similar to the agate used in this bead. The color and " sleepiness" come from fine hematite that is evenly
dispersed.