An archaeometric investigation of glass beads decorating the reliquary of Saint Simètre from Lierneux, Belgium

•The glass beads from the reliquary of Saint Simètre from Lierneux, were investigated by Raman spectroscopy and pXRF.•Identification of 39 glass beads with green, blue, red or pink colours, showing a simple cutting.•Glass beads show a lead silicate composition with a high level of potassium.•This study confirms that lead glass beads are contemporary to the reliquary and imported from central Europe.