Hi Rosanna,
You definitely should make your bead wearable especially since it has never really belonged to the chain, nor the fibulae. Leather is for sure the perfect choice for his bead! I admire how you finish your necklaces so well. I am very curious to see the end result with the braided leather. –
Below some examples how Morocans/Algerians have been using leather and phenolic and amber beads.
Pic 1:W. Anti-Atlas, Akhadd, Morocco: head ornament
Pic 2: Reguibet, Bella, Algeria, braid ornament