Wood beads are simply a variety of woods cut or turned into the shapes of other beads, what the bead is made out of is the only difference between a glass and wood, or any combination of materials, (metal,wood,glass,plastic,precious stones,etc.) generally a bead has a hole within the shape. A wood beads used in Jewelry need a durable protective finish because of the wear factor against the skin. Beads of any type of materials can be used for a multitude of decorative and or decorating purposes.