These Colorful Navajo Beaded Barrettes are perfect for children or adults. Originally, Native American beads were carved from natural materials like shells, coral, turquoise, animal bones, quills, and horns. Five hundred years ago, Europeans brought glass beads to the New World. They quickly became part of American Indian culture. Today glass beads, particularly fine seed beads, are the primary materials for the traditional beadwork of many tribes. These beautiful Navajo beaded barrettes are covered with hundreds of tiny colorful glass seed beads in traditional patterns and lined with leather. Very few Native Americans are doing beadwork today and the pieces available are considered valuable folk art.