Shell beads, also known as WAMPUM, are traditional Native American jewelry made from the shells of certain species of clams. They are usually strung together to form necklaces, bracelets, and other adornments. WAMPUM is a term derived from the Algonquian language, meaning 'white shell beads'. Shell beads have been used by many Native American tribes for centuries as a form of currency, jewelry, and ceremonial objects.