Note from Botanical Beads of the World (http://www.botanicalbeads.com/BBB_page_90.html) relating to similar items: 'A common pine growing in Chihuahua and an important source of turpentine is Pinus leiophylla. Its reddish bark thickens as it grows and is, easily cut from the tree offering the Tarahumara a ready medium for decorative carving.'