Nomad Bead Merchants

05/26/2026

Opals you need 💕

05/25/2026

This abalone shell ornament is believed to be one half of a pair donated by Meriwether Lewis or William Clark to the American Philosophical Society in Philadelphia.

Where it was obtained isn’t known, but Caroline Gilman in her book, “Lewis and Clark Across the Divide,” suggests it may have been a gift from the Shoshone. After weeks of searching, the Corps of Discovery finally encountered the Lemhi Shoshone people in mid-August 1805 and rested with them for about a week at a spot along the Beaverhead River they named, “Camp Fortunate.” The captains’ goal was to obtain much-needed horses for their trek over the high mountains of today’s Montana and Idaho.

Several journal writers shared more about these gifts given to the captains, which support Gilman’s viewpoint on the abalone jewelry. First, Private Joseph Whitehouse wrote, “they have little things made of mussell shell which they hang in their ears with their beeds.” And Sergeant John Ordway added, “The natives gave Capt. Lewis ear bobs to put in ears.”

Abalone shell items were significant to the Shoshone as William Clark explained in his August 21 journal entry: “the most Sacred of all the orniments of this nation is the Sea Shells of various Sizes and Shapes and colours, of the bassterd perl [pearl] kind, which they inform us they get from the Indians to the South on the other Side of a large fork of this river... .” He also described how, when he first met Cameahwait, the chief presented him with “Six Small pieces of Shells resembling perl which is highly Valued by those people... .”

The ornament is within the collection of the University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology in Philadelphia. It is on loan from the American Philosophical Society.

Today, the site of Camp Fortunate is below the waters of the Clark Canyon Reservoir about 20 miles southwest of Dillon, Montana.

Image: Object 87-43-154A. Courtesy of the Penn Museum.

Image Description: Two pieces of cut and finished abalone shell on a white background. The shell colors range from light green to dark gold and have a pearl-like shine. One piece is nearly rectangular and the other somewhat circular. They are tied together with a thin leather string that is covered in light-blue and dark-blue beads.

05/23/2026

05/21/2026

Boy do we have a bead haul for you! Join Catherine to see what she uncovers.

05/20/2026

Square knot Video for Vanessa!

05/17/2026

05/15/2026

Ooooo look at these fine specimines of first generation seven layer chevron beads. African trade, 1490’s-1600’s The European Expansion.

05/10/2026

New estate find at Nomad: Gem sugilite ring in sterling silver. This is a size 6 and the color is outstanding!

05/02/2026

SALE AT NOMAD: Selected jewelry made by local artists (some of whom are part of Team Nomad!) is 20% off starting Friday, May 1st and running through May 10th. Look for the neon yellow and pink tags!

This group of sterling silver cuffs and bangles are all 50% off until 5/10! These beautiful vintage pieces have real heft. Most are solid all the way through and can be gently resized to fit a 7" wrist.

05/02/2026

SALE AT NOMAD: Pearl strands are 20% off, starting Tuesday, April 28th, through Mother's Day, May 10th! We have lots of pearls in different colors and shapes, in prices ranging from $10 to $200. They are all gorgeous and this is a rare chance to snap up some of the good stuff.

03/28/2026

Jake has more beads than Joe Neguse!