http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=23337823
Here's the listing of my new Rootbeer, art glass beaded lanyard.

Debsdesigns401.etsy.com

The origin of Lanyards

I make one of a kind beaded lanyards. It all started because, as you know, I am a nurse and we all , every hospital employee, has to wear identification. I started to make the lanyards for myself and a few co-workers. It blossomed from there. So I've been looking around and finding some information about its origin. I try to make unique styles that fit different people's special character. You can find a small variety on my website. http://www.debsdesigns401.etsy.com.
I will take special orders, for color, size and theme.
Here is a small article about the origin of lanyards.
Origin
In the military lanyards were originally used to connect a pistol, sword or whistle (for signalling) to a uniform on a semi-permanent basis. Lanyards were used in situations where there was a good chance of otherwise losing the object - commonly by cavalry and naval officers at sea. A well made pistol lanyard can be easily removed and reattached by the user, but otherwise will stay connected to the pistol whether it is drawn or in a holster. Lanyards later became more decorative.

So, today's lanyards, not so much used for a pistol and holster, are used for embellishment and style. They becoming a lot more popular, and used by many in many professions, including nurses, teachers and anyone that needs to show constant identification.

Here is an item from Wikipeda about Briolettes you might find interesting.

Let me know if you find this interesting...

Briolettes are a shape and a style of faceting, that is: gemstone cutting (defined courtesy of the
International Gem Society). Briolettes are usually an oval or pear shape with its entire surface cut in angular facets for a beautiful sparkle. Briolette cuts are found in almost all gemstones. Click on the image left, courtesy of Vitabeads.com and the briolettes of Peridot, Iolite, and Onyx below, courtesy of ExoticIndiaArt.com to view larger images. Briolette refers to the faceted cut, not a color or size. Read about the famous diamond Briolette of India to view an extraordinary faceted stone! Like many reflective beads, a briolette may have enhancements added such as being fire polished or the addition of an Aurora Borealis finish (which should be clearly indicated). Shapes can vary from the traditional teardrop, as can the precision of the faceting. Be sure to note whether the beads are side drilled, top drilled or not drilled at all.

I am learning too, I've been working with beads for about a year now, and still wonder about all the details.
http://www.debsdesigns401.etsy.com/

I just discovered WIKIPEDA..I know I know...I'm behind the times.
So I copied an article about Aurora Borealis beads and thought it might be interesting.
I hope you enjoy it.

Aurora Borealis Aurora Borealis (AB or A/B) is a light reflecting finish applied to the exterior of a bead of any shape or size or material. Other names a bead glossary may have for AB-type finishes are iris, oil slick, or rainbow. An AB finish on a clear glass bead can indeed appear as a rainbow; on beads of color, it is more subtle but highly reflective. The real Aurora Borealis, or Northern Lights, is a fabulous color display in the night sky caused by the interaction between the solar wind, the Earth's magnetic field, and the upper atmosphere. If you've never seen the Northern lights, log on to Michigan Tech's long list of Aurora Borealis websites. The image, courtesy of NASA, is a photo of one of Jupiter's moons experiencing an Aurora Borealis. It looks very much like the luminescence of a rainbow AB bead. Click on the image, courtesy of NASA for provocative photos and explanations.

http://www.debsdesigns401.etsy.com