For your consideration are two cobalt blue Russian trade glass bead strands, circa 1800s. These beautiful blue pieces show a faceted, tubular, round, and ball glass trade bead originally traded by the Russians to the Alaska Natives in exchange for Sea Otter pelts, carvings, and other items. The beads were a desirable form of currency. These two necklaces are strung on separate strands of raffia grass. The larger strand shows a smaller diameter bead towards the top and 111 beads overall. The smaller strand displays 86 beads, two beads are red and one is green. Six of the beads are tubular. Overall, these beads show good condition, with a few showing signs of wear, including small chips due to age. The larger beads measure 3/4" in length and the smaller beads 1/8" to 1/4". The necklaces are approximately 24" and 23" in length.