A *lot* has been written on beads. A number of relevant sources are listed
in the annotated bead bibliographies compiled by Karklins and Sprague that
are on the Society of Bead Researchers web site:
http://www.beadresearch.org/Pages/Bead_Bibliography.html

While these bibs are several decades old, they do contain the various major
reports by myself, Kenneth Kidd, Lyle Stone, and Lester Ross, among others.
Check them out.

As for distinguishing trade beads from rosary beads, a study I did of beads
recovered from several sites in Quebec City revealed that what would have
been considered typical "trade beads" elsewhere, were utilized for rosaries
there. So, unless the beads are found directly associated with a crucifix,
it is difficult to segregate sacred from secular use. Lacking the presence
of a crucifix or a religious medallion, one definite clue is if any beads
are found on brass or copper links. Contemporary necklaces generally were
not strung on metal links but on string. So the presence of metal links
generally indicates rosary use.

Karlis

On Mon, Nov 7, 2011 at 1:18 PM, Susan Walter <[log in to unmask]> wrote:

> Oh yes...BEADS.   We have them too.  All shapes and sizes.  Has anyone
> ever done a good illustrated and descriptive study on beads?  And can
> anything be told about seed beads?
>
> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Lyle E. Browning" <[log in to unmask]>
> To: <[log in to unmask]>
> Sent: Sunday, November 06, 2011 7:56 PM
> Subject: Re: rosaries
>
>
> How does on distinguish rosary beads from 17th-18th century glass trade
> beads? Granted, with a crucifix, it is a given, but otherwise?
>
> Lyle Browning, RPA
>
>
> On Nov 6, 2011, at 10:22 PM, Boyer, Jeffrey, DCA wrote:
>
>  We have rosary beads from a couple of 19th century households in
>> north-central New Mexico. We also have a center-piece (is that the correct
>> name?) and part of a crucifix from one of those households. I can provide
>> references if you'd like.
>>
>>
>> Jeff
>>
>> Jeffrey L. Boyer
>> Supervisory Archaeologist/Project Director
>> Office of Archaeological Studies, Museum of New Mexico
>>
>>  *   mail: P.O. Box 2087, Santa Fe, New Mexico 87504
>>  *   physical: 407 Galisteo Street, Suite B-100, Santa Fe, New Mexico
>> 87501
>>  *   tel: 505.827.6387 fax: 505.827.3904
>>  *   e-mail: [log in to unmask]
>>
>> "This is no time for archaeologizing . . ." - Amelia Peabody Emerson (The
>> Curse of the Pharoahs, Elizabeth Peters)
>>
>> ______________________________**__________
>> From: HISTORICAL ARCHAEOLOGY [[log in to unmask]] on behalf of Susan
>> Walter [[log in to unmask]]
>> Sent: Friday, November 04, 2011 1:13 PM
>> To: [log in to unmask]
>> Subject: rosaries
>>
>> Nov. 4, 2011
>> Hi All,
>> I'm looking for information about rosaries from the California Missions.
>> We got 1, perhaps 2, from near the San Juan Capistrano Mission.  I need
>> pictures or illustrations.
>> Thanks in advance.
>>
>
>
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-- 
Karlis