The beads are strung on a metal wire and are very secure, not at all loose. The beads are made of Red Coral, striped Chocolate Jasper & wood. The wooden beads have designs of all of the animals in the Chinese calendar! Each one is different and some have two animals, one on each side of the bead. The striped jasper beads have been sculpted into the shape of a flower/bud. This is an endless beaded style item, meaning there is no clasp. There however, a small donut disc bead at the top is made of dragons blood jasper and has a subtle red marbling. Item specifics: Length: 36 Weight: ...