Trying to identify "mystery bead"

[Seafoam]

I hope this is the right place to post this... I'm new, clearly. 

I've been receiving a lot of bead donations from my boyfriend's mother; old jewellery to take apart and build new things, etc. I just got a bunch of mysterious beads from her last week and can't seem to figure out what they are... I like to list my materials when I make things, but find that it's pretty hard with "upcycled" materials.... Would you guys have any guesses as to what this is?
 
Sorry for the bad picture quality, I just moved out of my dorm and my real camera is still packed away...



Some are coloured, but the colours are definitely faded. They kind of remind me of seeds, but at the same time I don't think they're actual seeds....  So confusing. :\

Thanks for any ideas you can offer!

[Polly]

Hi Seafoam,

They are "Job's Tears", which is a seed (or technically, it might actually be a hard shell around the flower, and the seeds form inside.)  Their natural color is grayish-white, and they take dyes well.

--Polly

[Seafoam]

Thanks Polly! I'm really looking forward to making some nature-theme items using these!