Beads in your photo are a stunning color,.. are they dyed? I have a similar strand but the horn beads are much lighter, (sort of a brown/ gray color.. The color you see in items carved of horn.) I also have a completely natural, very old horn necklace (extra large beads, mat finish, hand carved) and the beads are the same grey/brown as the graduated beads in my necklace . So am thinking that if your strand is horn it must be dyed (-something that shouldn't effect the value because aesthetically the dark beads are so pleasing.)

There are so many different types of horn beads but if you google water buffalo horn beads or brown horn beads, or vinage necklace horn beads ... something like that, you'll find them sold abundantly on Internet sites.

No close up so cant see the textire and graining .. If these beads are what they appear to be, antique Chinese Rhino Horn, they are extremely valuable . Thousands of dollars (at high emd auction sites like Christies if you cam even fnd them..) maybe someone else could offer an opinion , but imthink the Rhino beads are protected under the endangered species laws today.

If your beads are more modern this forum discussion may be of interest to you. (obviously I love these beads too, so I spent the morning doing some research!)

http://beadcollector.net/cgi-bin/anyboard.cgi?fvp=/openforum/&cmd=get&cG=9343033363&zu=3934303336&v=2&gV=0&p=