First, I think these beads are not as old as expressed.

Agate beads have been sold out of Nepal for over a decade, that were actually made in India. These are often said be "Tibetan," when they are actually only something like Tibetan-style beads. Or, as I like to say, "made for the Tibetan market." They are not authentic-looking—probably because the manufacturers in India are not exploiting the same carnelian or agate as originally used (that came from Yunnan in the instance of Tibetan carnelian, called pema raka).

About thirty years ago, the Chinese made reproductions of pema raka beads, apparently from the same Yunnan sources. But these beads are distinctive. In more-recent years, Chinese manufacturers have also made beads for the Tibetan market.

I would guess your beads are either Indian or Chinese, and are more recent than you may suppose.

Jamey

Hi Jamey
i agree they don't look old. but there is wear at the holes on most of them and they are not drilled straight through. On some of them you have to work at getting a thread through. The hole in some makes a zig zag in the middle. If they were newly produced wouldn't the hole be drilled straight through with no wear around the perforation? Just wondering. I can't question the collector. she is deceased and the person who sold them to me is not a bead person. She received them in trade about 20 years ago and they have sat in her closet all of this time. The exteriors of the beads looks newer than the holes. Any idea how this could be? I want to sell them and don't want to misrepresent them. I appreciate any ideas you have about this mystery. Thanks

Personal opinion.
Different beads.......