Each African Bead carries its own story; a rich history and story behind it. Many will have had numerous owners, and seen multiple continents by the time they arrive to you. African beads and jewelry have played an enormous role in the culture, fashion, economy, and artistic expression of the African people. Today, they are cherished by collectors, jewelry makers, and everyday people who just love wearing African beads! Pair them with our jewelry making supplies to string and finish your designs. From iconic cowrie shells to handmade clay beads, natural shell beads, and the classic trade-bead millefiori beads alongside our vibrant glass beads, each format has its own place in this remarkable tradition. (full verbatim descriptionHtml retrieved via Admin API; contains many href links to thebeadchest.com blog and collection pages)