Yes it’s true. I will do my best to tell you the whole story because it’s just one of those things. For all of my pieces I let my heart and my intuition chose all of my crystals and stones, I go to as many rock and mineral shows I can go to and I have a habit of buying from people I know and trust. I was at a beautiful antique show in Santa Fe, small and exclusive show and I spent a whole day there… I saw these beads and I inquired about them, I couldn’t really afford them but I kept them in my mind and continued on with the show. TWICE, by two separate people I heard that this man’s goods were the best in the show, he was the most knowledgeable about this time period and if one needed any information they should go to him… I’m no dummy I went back to the guy and he was so gentle and nice and took the time to explain to me once again that the beads were from the 14th century and used for trade instead of money. Carnelian was highly prestigious and thought to be high in energy and to restore vitality. Personally I felt that these beads were best worn one by one and not in a group. So I’ve made a bit of macramé and braided the necklace and I’ve added a jade bead at the top so the necklace is adjustable. There are two styles offered here and larger and smaller. I have a few more of these beads in varying sizes email me with questions - carinaschott@mac.com