Fluted Tribal Silver bead, totally hand-worked, origin Gujerat west India circa 1950s or earlier;high Silver content, probably worked from melted down British Raj Silver Rupee coins which were always of 91.6% Silver purity.
This type of plump, beautifully-proportioned, multi-fluted Silver bead is rare, being labour-intensive to create and requiring considerable skill to get the proportions right and to finish it off neatly with the ridged cappings.

The look of a single Silver piece on a simple necklet of cording or leather is smart. It is a look that has been with us forever.