Ever notice how a dark blue bead looks mostly black when you have strung it and worn it? Thsse Carolina blue beads are just enough lighter that they don't do that. I don't know if they dip them in sone sort of ocre wash, but both times I have bought these, they look lighter at first and then darken. The first ones I soaked in a solution of Dawn and warm water and most of the ocre washed away.