"Cornaline d'Aleppo" or "Hudson's Bay" White Heart Beads
White Heart Glass Beads for Fur Trade Era & Traditional-Style Beadwork
White heart beads are layered glass beads recognized by a pale inner core visible beneath a colored outer layer. Crazy Crow carries Czech white heart beads in 6mm, 9mm, and seed-bead sizes, along with French white heart seed beads and Preciosa Cornelian Star styles. Their distinctive appearance makes them popular for necklaces, chokers, historic-style accessories, and traditional beadwork.
White heart styles, including beads often described as cornaline d’Aleppo or Hudson’s Bay white hearts, are of particular interest to fur trade-era researchers and reenactors. For related designs, compare our reproduction Venetian glass trade beads and French brass and other metal beads. For the history of white-heart bead production, read The Venetian Bead Story by Peter Francis Jr. (opens in a new tab).
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The White Core and Outer Glass Layer
White heart beads are distinguished by their layered construction, but colors, shapes, sizes, and manufacturing methods vary. Bead researcher Peter Francis Jr. dates the introduction of Venetian white hearts to about 1830. For a historical reproduction, select beads according to the particular form and documented period rather than assuming that every modern white heart suits every fur trade setting.
How Do I Choose White Heart Bead Sizes?
For necklaces and chokers, compare the larger 6mm and 9mm Czech white hearts with the Preciosa Cornelian Star styles. For finer beadwork and smaller accents, review the available Czech and French white heart seed-bead sizes. Match bead size and hole diameter to your intended design and stringing material.
White Hearts in Fur Trade Research
Historical bead findings must be understood by location, date, and bead type. The cornaline d’Aleppo form appears in archaeological discussions of North American trading sites. Explore Trade Bead Migration into North America (opens in a new tab) for examples from fur trade and other historical sites.
Related Beadwork Materials
Planning a necklace, choker, or beadwork project? Explore our beading needles, thread, looms, and other supplies to choose materials suited to your selected beads and technique.
