In reading these descriptions I began to wonder about a couple of things

1. Why hishi and not heishi as such beads are usually spelled - though pronounced heeshee?

2. What can be known from the subtly different surfaces between strands of these ostrich egg shell beads? Are such beads always hand made or are there mechanized ways to make them now?

The two attached images include the short range of ostrich egg shell beads that I have - as well as a strand of some kind of clam. I wonder if they are the type described in your last paragraph?

With gratitude,
Linda