Add a touch of Native American heritage to your jewelry designs with these Cherokee Corn Beads, also known as Job's Tears. Measuring 10x6-7mm, these beads are 100% natural and provide a unique texture to your creations. Though they don't have drilled holes, a threaded needle can easily be pushed through for stringing. Please note that some beads may have small stems which can be trimmed for a cleaner finish.
 
 
Job's Tears or Coix lacryma-jobi a plant in the grass family.

The Legend of the Corn Beads
In 1838 the Cherokee people were forcibly removed from their home land and their homes. As the soldiers came to each house hold to gather the Cherokee people for the removal, many cried tears of sadness over the loss of homes and personal belongings. Most were only allowed to take what they could carry. As the people were taken from their homes they would cry out asking the Creator to send a miracle.
 
As they walked along the trail, their tears fell to the ground. At the place where the tears fell, a shoot that looked like a cornstalk grew. As the plant bloomed and opened up, seeds of gray fell to the ground. Creator said, “This will be a sign unto all who pass that my children will always be a part of this land. The cornstalk represents life for my children and the seeds of gray represent suffering and sorrow.”
The trail the Cherokee people walked is now known as the Trail of Tears and the seeds are known as corn beads.. 
 
 
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* Sizes, shapes and colors my vary due to being a natural stone, being hand-carved and/or difference in computer monitors.
* Both sides photographed.