Click picture to see entire image:

Cost per bead:

14 cents

Bead material:

Hematite (metal).

Country of origin:

China

Size/shape:

Rings with a 12mm diameter and thickness of 4mm.

Colors/description:

Metallic dark gray.

Defects:

The beads appear to be in very good shape.  However, some beads have holes which are slightly off-center.

How photographed:

At the window in natural daylight.

Comments:

Hematite is iron oxide.  Hematite is sometimes red, but this hematite is iron-colored.  Actually, it looks like dark steel.  If you want to see some of the rings from the side, look at the larger image.  Please note that metal beads like this are heavier than glass.  (Since posting these beads last, I increased the quantity from 20 to 25 because I got them at a discount.)