wow..I've collected antique/vintage silver beads for over 30 years from India, Afghanistan, Ethiopia, Niger, Morocco, Yemen & so many more places but have NEVER run across these. They do look like they have a fair amount of silver in them, & they obviously look worn although that can be manipulated as we all know. I would have said a cross between Afghani/India...or perhaps Bedouin or Omani? I keep changing my mind :) The wear patterns are all distinctive & unique looking to me so I do believe they are very old. I love them wherever & whenever they are from however!!! I think they are great! Lynne

Thanks Lynne, I like your Omani idea. Honestly, I had to google it to see just where Oman was - right in the middle of Pakistan and Yemen! I think it might be a good clue to pursue.

That's exactly what it looks like Stephanie: pewter! Who makes pewter beads? And Fred, thank for pointing out the scratches , I'll look more closely. Should I be looking for some sort of uniform markings?

I didn't even see those! You are right, always so right, Mr. Fred! Perhaps this is why we never saw these before! Lynne

I finally got around to testing these ( I was waiting for some fresh acid) and they test very high in silver content > 90% according to my acid test. I polished a couple of them up and they have a nice shine to them, but I still don't know where they are from. They are super impressive when magnified... but so is pollen for that matter! I'm going to put them in eBay store as "pretty mystery beads" and leave it at that. Thanks! Annie