Charleston Rice Bead Necklaces/Bracelets & Anklets 2.3 mm - Medium Grain

The Charleston Rice Bead - a Little Piece of Charleston, S.C.
Our most popular item is the Charleston Rice Bead-and for good reason. They are solid 925 sterling silver throughout, not hollow in the center of the beads; therefore, our Charleston Rice Beads have the integrity to hold up for years with day to day wear. Most of our charms/pendants come attached to a 1/4" pinch bail that will expand to clasp on any of the 4 variations of Charleston Rice Beads we offer.

South Carolina was the largest producer of rice in America during the Colonial Period. The crop arrived in the area around 1685, when a ship sailed off course from the Island of Madagascar and landed in Charleston in need of repairs. The captain of the ship expressed his gratitude by giving the governor of the colony some rice grains. From that point on, rice became a primary export of Charleston. Today, rice still symbolizes Charleston's bountiful history and remains an iconic product to South Carolina.

The Charleston Rice Bead is an homage to the original process of once expendable rice grains getting lightly boiled and threaded together by the area’s cotton surplus and then dunked in lesser, silver-resembling metals to form jewelry. Our modern solid 925 sterling silver version is the perfect 24/7 jewelry: hypoallergenic and shower-recommended! 

*Our Original Grain Classic 3mm Classic Rice Beads are historically accurate in terms of size, most closely resembling the result of the process described above; the 2.3mm Medium is afforded more pendant opportunities due to its slightly slimmer diameter. The 4mm Jumbo can speak for itself or be used to support considerably heavy pendants. Even the Small 1.8 mm Rice Bead, although more difficult to see the rice shape in the small chain, is one of our strongest chains for its daintiness. Known for their durability and versatility, all versions make perfect anklets, bracelets, and necklaces- worn alone or with charms/pendants!