Lately, heishi beads have been gaining popularity. It’s possible to use them in colourful bracelets and necklaces that are composed solely of these original flat beads, or as components in different jewellery pieces. However, these beads aren’t new, quite the opposite. Their history goes as far as 6 000 B. C. In the past, they were made from clams, sea shells and other organic materials. The tradition of their production comes from New Mexico, where the word “heishi”, translated from the original local Indian dialect, literally means “clam bead”. Historically, we can encounter similar beads in Africa and Asia as well. Nowadays, heishi beads are more often made from polymer or plastic.