I also was tad disappointed when I got this bead, since I was making a black and white bracelet for a Christmas Present.  The bead is nice and my mom liked it a lot, but that's because she likes brown & black as a color combo(Whew) and this was the only brown and black bead I gave her.

Also, the sample bead shown has a more delicate design lacy of swirls and spray of dots.  My bead is sort of clumpy-frumpy in comparison (see pics).

It still is a interesting and well made bead, just not quite as lovely as the bead shown.

Update 1-12-12:  Amazon has now attached this brown bead to the ASIN of the bead that I ordered which NOT the same sample picture or name of the bead that I ordered.  So basically, this review no longer pertains to the bead they are now linking my review to.  Grrr.  Here's what the old picture to this ASIN looked like:&nbsp;<a data-hook="product-link-linked" class="a-link-normal" href="/925-Stamped-Sterling-Silver-Core-Black-with-Light-Gold-Swirls-Murano-Glass-Bead-Fits-Pandora-Chamilia-Biagi-Trollbeads-Bracelets/dp/B004TBSN82/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8">.925 Stamped Sterling Silver Core Black with Light Gold Swirls Murano Glass Bead Fits Pandora Chamilia Biagi Trollbeads Bracelets</a>