Click picture to see entire image:

Cost per bead:

7 cents

Bead material:

Hematite (metal).

Country of origin:

China

Size/shape:

2mm x 8mm rondels (disk-shaped with the hole through the center).

Colors/description:

Metallic dark gray.

Hole size:

1mm (estimated).

Defects:

The beads appear to be in very good shape.

How photographed:

At the window in natural daylight.

Comments:

Hematite is iron oxide.  In some forms it is red, but this hematite is iron-colored.  Actually, it looks like dark steel.  The Chinese have been doing a so-so job of glass beads, but their metal beads look as perfect as perfect gets.  Please note that metal beads are heavier than glass.