Diamonds, rubies, sapphires, jade...one has to consider all three things.

If enough money is involved to make one think twice about something, then the scientific examination is pretty much a must. Many optimistic balloons may be punctured, but better before the purchase than after.

Hi Just Freddy,
I have been collecting beads all of my adult life, I have collected all types of beads, I've made tons of mistakes and I've been real lucky as well. Hindsight is always 20/20, if we would have known then, what we know now......
My main guiding force in collecting beads, first and foremost in importance, has always been, Do I find the bead attractive??? I am like the Crow, if it's visually appealing it gets my attention. Once the bead has my attention then the experience factors come into play, where is it from, can I afford it, will it hold value, is it rare, is it real, is it legal.....all of these plus many more prerequisites must be considered before I buy a bead, not necessarily in any order as long as I examine all the factors. Having done this for so many years, much of this happens subconsciously in a matter of seconds and I can make a "snap" decision as I am holding the bead in my hand for the first time. The beads I crave are the ones that fit all my categories and still stump me, I think I like rarities a lot! Happy hunting, Thomas

Fred,
My priorities are:

1) Do I want to wear this bead? Many beads are very beautiful, but I don't see myself wearing them. That is a complex thing to try and explain - partly it is a matter of my own taste for certain colors and designs- but sometimes I can't explain why some nice beads are just wrong for me. I'm not sure that is exactly "connoisseurship".

I should also add that often it is very challenging to figure out exactly how to wear the beads, once purchased. I have to look very long and hard for matching or coordinating beads, and also accept a good amount of non-uniformity in the finished product.

2) Provenance - I've decided to specialize (nearly always) in Venetian and Bohemian trade beads so I am concerned about verifying that the beads are authentic. But, reason #1 ends up being the deciding factor if I'm not sure. I have a small collection of trade beads that have no immediate plans for a wearable design, but this represents a very small fraction of my collection.

But your question is very thought-provoking!

I think that I buy beads that 'give me something to do'.
Not that I am stuck for things to do, but.....let me try to explain.

I enjoy beads for their stories. I enjoy how finding a bead makes me dig into a specific history, a technique, a place, a material.

One of the first beads I started collecting were Venetian millefiori beads, and my desire was to try to bring some order in the patterns.

After that, I quickly became interested in Prosser beads, and they allowed me to do a lot of research and get a much better understanding of the trade in beads and the industrial revolution.

Now, I find myself looking for beads that have very specific stories. Beads that are made as copies of other beads, or to copy a precious material. For example: this weekend I bought a small jatim bead from the Bead Brothers, and picked out a replica to match it. Together, they tell a much more interesting story than just alone.

Not sure if it answers your question, but it was food for thought for me anyway.

Provenance is of utmost importance in my collecting of Native American Northwest US trade beads.

And not in relation to beads, but I think many of us take a similar approach in whatever we collect.

Earlier this year I had a similar conversation with a friend who has collected a particular type of antique lamps for decades. He said his collection criteria are pretty much the same as mine, even though we collect different things.

I happen to collect antique scientific electrical glassware. I finally tried to articulate what I look for, and it came out as "ROPIA", which stands for Rare, Old, Perfect, Interesting, Attractive. Certainly not every piece I get fully meets all those criteria, but it's fun trying!

Tedd

I know almost immediately if I am interested or curious about a bead, and the next moment, whether I like it. Next, do I want it? Then, can I afford it?
It matters what I believe about it’s authenticity and provenance, but I don’t have to know these things for a fact before getting emotionally involved.
Connoisseurship ?
We all think we’re connoisseurs, and for our own purposes, we are.
Buying for one’s own pleasure and buying for resale have slightly different criteria, as one wants to provide as many facts as possible when selling….and of course you have to get a price that you can justify marking up fairly.
I used to want to own examples of every age, era, material, technique and origin. My interests were all over the map!
In more recent years, I no longer desire to keep acquiring so much. Now I mainly just buy beads that I know I will wear. I agree with Rosanna on this point - I can see beauty and appreciate many beads that I know I wouldn’t necessarily wear.
Scientific examination? I am not a scientist. I do enjoy peering at beads through a loupe for extended periods of time, especially when I first encounter a bead I find fascinating. This close view often gives me many answers, sometimes more questions! This is part of the fun!
Some of our members are scientists of advanced levels and can do extensive tests to determine age. I admire and respect this a lot.
Thanks for the conversation, Freddie!

when i discover something bead-related and consider acquiring it

1. do i like it or find it fascinating -what made me notice it?
2. is it costly? (if its not a reasonably modest price i try to ignore it)

3. More important: will it add information about the whole topic of beads, as even if damaged it may show how its made, or what its threaded with may confirm where its from- and I'm definitely continuing my research for informing future generations...

4. if its neglected or underpriced (often the case in UK) then i have a duty to rescue it even if only for sharing with those who will appreciate it!

5. buying specifically for doing business.