Study on the yellow beads in the jade pendant set (组玉佩) of the Western Zhou Dynasty: Fluorite beads from M2 in Dahekou cemetery, Yicheng County, Southern Shanxi

•Changes in the use of jade wares reflect the Western Zhou society, especially the ritual reform.•The process that eastern and western traditions converged can be elucidated through the study on Western Zhou jade wares.•A variety of analytic methods are used to analyze the excavated yellow beads for the first time, and correct the previous mistakes.•The yellow fluorite was used as substitution of yellow agate probably due to the shortage of agate.•Fluorite beads became important part of jade ritual objects under the influence of ritual reform in Western Zhou Dynasty