This is one of my favorite pieces of jewelry, made of bone and shell.

This is not traditional of my great grandmothers tribe - the Seminoles. It wouldn't be possible for me to amass enough beaded necklaces.

Seminole tradition called for a young female child to be given a necklace of beads. As she grew necklaces were added until she had literally hundreds around her neck.

Then in middle age, the beaded necklaces were removed over time, and at her death she would again only have one strands of beads.