Skip to content
About Us Wholesale Reviews Reorder Wishlist

Finished African Jewelry

  • Old Cylindrical Venetian Trade Beads - The Bead Chest
    Sold out
    $135.00 - $135.00
    $135.00
    $135.00
    $135.00 - $135.00
    $135.00

    Old Cylindrical Venetian Trade Beads

    Out of stock

    Admire this unique strand of authentic Venetian Trade Beads. Predominantly produced on the island of Murano, beads such as these were produced for ...

    View full details
    $135.00 - $135.00
    $135.00
    $135.00
    $135.00 - $135.00
    $135.00
    Sold out
  • Rare Amber Vaseline Trade Beads - The Bead Chest
    Sold out
    $165.00 - $165.00
    $165.00
    $165.00
    $165.00 - $165.00
    $165.00

    Rare Amber Vaseline Trade Beads

    Out of stock

    Old Vaseline beads in this amber color are exceedingly rare and hard to find. Beads such as these were likely made in Bohemia using a combination o...

    View full details
    $165.00 - $165.00
    $165.00
    $165.00
    $165.00 - $165.00
    $165.00
    Sold out
  • Rare Black Square Snake Beads - The Bead Chest
    Sold out
    $69.00 - $69.00
    $69.00
    $69.00
    $69.00 - $69.00
    $69.00

    Rare Black Square Snake Beads

    Out of stock

    These black vintage beads are a rare variety of the glass snake bead. Likely of Czech origin, they derive their name from the interlocking beads th...

    View full details
    $69.00 - $69.00
    $69.00
    $69.00
    $69.00 - $69.00
    $69.00
    Sold out
  • Peduase Tribal Krobo Beads - The Bead Chest
    Sold out
    $12.50 - $12.50
    $12.50
    $12.50
    $12.50 - $12.50
    $12.50

    Peduase Tribal Krobo Beads

    Out of stock

    This beautiful strand of African powder glass beads was made by the people of Krobo Mountain in Ghana, West Africa. Many designs of Krobo beads are...

    View full details
    $12.50 - $12.50
    $12.50
    $12.50
    $12.50 - $12.50
    $12.50
    Sold out
  • Yagbum Tribal Krobo Beads - The Bead Chest
    Sold out
    $14.50 - $14.50
    $14.50
    $14.50
    $14.50 - $14.50
    $14.50

    Yagbum Tribal Krobo Beads

    Out of stock

    This beautiful strand of African powder glass beads was made by the people of Krobo Mountain in Ghana, West Africa. Many designs of Krobo beads are...

    View full details
    $14.50 - $14.50
    $14.50
    $14.50
    $14.50 - $14.50
    $14.50
    Sold out
  • Old Red & Yellow Cylinder Tomato Beads - The Bead Chest
    Sold out
    $129.00
    $129.00 - $129.00
    $129.00
    $109.00
    $109.00 - $109.00
    $109.00

    Old Red & Yellow Cylinder Tomato Beads

    Out of stock

    Wow! These red and yellow tomato beads are a beauty and tough to find. Like their cousins the rounded tomato beads, these old cylinder-shaped beads...

    View full details
    $129.00
    $129.00 - $129.00
    $129.00
    $109.00
    $109.00 - $109.00
    $109.00
    Sold out
  • Vintage Rose Pink Star Snake Beads - The Bead Chest
    Sold out
    $59.00 - $59.00
    $59.00
    $59.00
    $59.00 - $59.00
    $59.00

    Vintage Rose Pink Star Snake Beads

    Out of stock

    This strand of interlocking Czech glass beads is called "SNAKE" trade beads because of its similarity to the snake vertebrae. They date back from t...

    View full details
    $59.00 - $59.00
    $59.00
    $59.00
    $59.00 - $59.00
    $59.00
    Sold out
  • Old Opaque Seafoam Green Mali Vaseline Beads - The Bead Chest
    Sold out
    $395.00 - $395.00
    $395.00
    $395.00
    $395.00 - $395.00
    $395.00

    Old Opaque Seafoam Green Mali Vaseline Beads

    Out of stock

    There's more to these opaque glass beads than meets the eye. Originally created in Czechoslovakia, these antique vaseline beads will have traveled ...

    View full details
    $395.00 - $395.00
    $395.00
    $395.00
    $395.00 - $395.00
    $395.00
    Sold out
  • Yoruba Mock Coral Beads #1800 - The Bead Chest
    Sold out
    $49.00 - $49.00
    $49.00
    $49.00
    $49.00 - $49.00
    $49.00

    Yoruba Mock Coral Beads #1800

    Out of stock

    These glass beads are made to resemble the color and look of natural sea coral. Coral beads have are highly sought after by the Yoruba people of Ni...

    View full details
    $49.00 - $49.00
    $49.00
    $49.00
    $49.00 - $49.00
    $49.00
    Sold out
  • Vintage Round Binta Banji Beads (6-12mm) - The Bead Chest
    Sold out
    $89.00 - $89.00
    $89.00
    $89.00
    $89.00 - $89.00
    $89.00

    Vintage Round Binta Banji Beads (6-12mm)

    Out of stock

    Unusual strand of multi color Binta Banji prosser beads. While these beads typically come in an abacus or rondelle shape, this more rare variety is...

    View full details
    $89.00 - $89.00
    $89.00
    $89.00
    $89.00 - $89.00
    $89.00
    Sold out
  • Yoruba Mock Coral Beads #9999 - The Bead Chest
    Sold out
    $49.00 - $49.00
    $49.00
    $49.00
    $49.00 - $49.00
    $49.00

    Yoruba Mock Coral Beads #9999

    Out of stock

    These glass beads are made to resemble the color and look of natural sea coral. Coral beads have are highly sought after by the Yoruba people of Ni...

    View full details
    $49.00 - $49.00
    $49.00
    $49.00
    $49.00 - $49.00
    $49.00
    Sold out
  • Pastel Blue Ashanti Glass Saucer Beads (14mm) - The Bead Chest
    Sold out
    $12.50 - $12.50
    $12.50
    $12.50
    $12.50 - $12.50
    $12.50

    Pastel Blue Ashanti Glass Saucer Beads (14mm)

    Out of stock

    Checkout this beautiful strand of Ashanti glass saucer beads. The process of making these beads is unique to Africa and has been used for over 1000...

    View full details
    $12.50 - $12.50
    $12.50
    $12.50
    $12.50 - $12.50
    $12.50
    Sold out
  • Green Vintage Czech Interlocking Snake Beads (9mm, Long Strand) - The Bead Chest
    Sold out
    $69.00 - $69.00
    $69.00
    $69.00
    $69.00 - $69.00
    $69.00

    Green Vintage Czech Interlocking Snake Beads (9mm, Long Strand)

    Out of stock

    This strand of interlocking Czech glass beads is called "SNAKE" trade beads because of its similarity to the snake vertebrae. They date back from...

    View full details
    $69.00 - $69.00
    $69.00
    $69.00
    $69.00 - $69.00
    $69.00
    Sold out
  • Green Vintage Prosser Button Beads (9mm, Long Strand) - The Bead Chest
    Sold out
    $49.00 - $49.00
    $49.00
    $49.00
    $49.00 - $49.00
    $49.00

    Green Vintage Prosser Button Beads (9mm, Long Strand)

    Out of stock

    Sliced Prosser Beads, otherwise known as button beads, get their name from their unique shape. These beads originated in the former Czechoslovakia ...

    View full details
    $49.00 - $49.00
    $49.00
    $49.00
    $49.00 - $49.00
    $49.00
    Sold out
  • Natural Mayan Jade Bracelet (10mm) - The Bead Chest
    Sold out
    $36.00 - $36.00
    $36.00
    $36.00
    $36.00 - $36.00
    $36.00

    Natural Mayan Jade Bracelet (10mm)

    Out of stock

    Made from authentic Guatemalita Jade stone, these unique beads have been individually shaped and polished by the native Mayan people of Guatemala i...

    View full details
    $36.00 - $36.00
    $36.00
    $36.00
    $36.00 - $36.00
    $36.00
    Sold out
  • Red Vintage Rice Beads (6x4mm) (Long Strand) - The Bead Chest
    Sold out
    $15.00 - $15.00
    $15.00
    $15.00
    $15.00 - $15.00
    $15.00

    Red Vintage Rice Beads (6x4mm) (Long Strand)

    Out of stock

    These vintage red glass beads were originally produced in Czechoslovakia and sent to West Africa in the mid-20th century. Crafted in an oval shape,...

    View full details
    $15.00 - $15.00
    $15.00
    $15.00
    $15.00 - $15.00
    $15.00
    Sold out
  • Old Antique Venetian Mixed Trade Beads - The Bead Chest
    Sold out
    $45.00 - $45.00
    $45.00
    $45.00
    $45.00 - $45.00
    $45.00

    Old Antique Venetian Mixed Trade Beads

    Out of stock

    These mixed African trade beads are a great buy for those looking to get into African trade beads. Each strand is unique, so you will receive the e...

    View full details
    $45.00 - $45.00
    $45.00
    $45.00
    $45.00 - $45.00
    $45.00
    Sold out
  • Old Antique Venetian Mixed Trade Beads - The Bead Chest
    Sold out
    $45.00 - $45.00
    $45.00
    $45.00
    $45.00 - $45.00
    $45.00

    Old Antique Venetian Mixed Trade Beads

    Out of stock

    These mixed African trade beads are a great buy for those looking to get into African trade beads. Each strand is unique, so you will receive the e...

    View full details
    $45.00 - $45.00
    $45.00
    $45.00
    $45.00 - $45.00
    $45.00
    Sold out
  • Old Antique Venetian Mixed Trade Beads - The Bead Chest
    Sold out
    $45.00 - $45.00
    $45.00
    $45.00
    $45.00 - $45.00
    $45.00

    Old Antique Venetian Mixed Trade Beads

    Out of stock

    These mixed African trade beads are a great buy for those looking to get into African trade beads. Each strand is unique, so you will receive the e...

    View full details
    $45.00 - $45.00
    $45.00
    $45.00
    $45.00 - $45.00
    $45.00
    Sold out
  • Old Antique Venetian Mixed Trade Beads - The Bead Chest
    Sold out
    $45.00 - $45.00
    $45.00
    $45.00
    $45.00 - $45.00
    $45.00

    Old Antique Venetian Mixed Trade Beads

    Out of stock

    These mixed African trade beads are a great buy for those looking to get into African trade beads. Each strand is unique, so you will receive the e...

    View full details
    $45.00 - $45.00
    $45.00
    $45.00
    $45.00 - $45.00
    $45.00
    Sold out
  • Old Antique Venetian Mixed Trade Beads - The Bead Chest
    Sold out
    $45.00 - $45.00
    $45.00
    $45.00
    $45.00 - $45.00
    $45.00

    Old Antique Venetian Mixed Trade Beads

    Out of stock

    These mixed African trade beads are a great buy for those looking to get into African trade beads. Each strand is unique, so you will receive the e...

    View full details
    $45.00 - $45.00
    $45.00
    $45.00
    $45.00 - $45.00
    $45.00
    Sold out
  • Vintage Mixed Vinyl Phono Record Beads (15mm) - The Bead Chest
    Sold out
    $19.00 - $19.00
    $19.00
    $19.00
    $19.00 - $19.00
    $19.00

    Vintage Mixed Vinyl Phono Record Beads (15mm)

    Out of stock

    Take a look at this beautiful strand of vintage African vinyl beads. Beads such as these are found in Ghana and Nigeria where they are sometimes wo...

    View full details
    $19.00 - $19.00
    $19.00
    $19.00
    $19.00 - $19.00
    $19.00
    Sold out
  • Antiqued Copper Ball Chain with Connector, 30 Inches - The Bead Chest
    Sold out
    $2.99 - $2.99
    $2.99
    $2.99
    $2.99 - $2.99
    $2.99

    Antiqued Copper Ball Chain with Connector, 30 Inches

    Out of stock

    Our high quality ball chains are appreciated by professional designers and hobbyists alike! From the stunning finish, to the elegant design, these ...

    View full details
    $2.99 - $2.99
    $2.99
    $2.99
    $2.99 - $2.99
    $2.99
    Sold out
  • Blue Flower Tribal Krobo Beads - The Bead Chest
    Sold out
    $14.50 - $14.50
    $14.50
    $14.50
    $14.50 - $14.50
    $14.50

    Blue Flower Tribal Krobo Beads

    Out of stock

    This beautiful strand of African powder glass beads was made by the people of Krobo Mountain in Ghana, West Africa. Many designs of Krobo beads are...

    View full details
    $14.50 - $14.50
    $14.50
    $14.50
    $14.50 - $14.50
    $14.50
    Sold out
While The Bead Chest is primarily an African bead importer, we also offer finished African Jewelry to those looking for ready-to-wear pieces. African Jewelry is a melting pot of contemporary and traditional styles, many of which have been replicated extensively in popular Western fashion culture. But, African Jewelry serves for a number of other functions besides self expression and bodily adornment, particularly amongst ethnic groups (such as the Krobo of Ghana) where social hierarchy is still an endemic part of their culture. Large bulbous Glass Trade Beads worn in multiple strands around the neck can be indicative of wealth, status and purity; used in rites of prayer and marriage, or have some medicinal value, such as an aid for female fertility. The oldest beads found in Africa in 2004 were a strand of 75,000 year old ostrich shell Heishi Beads, which are particularly favoured by the Ashanti tribe of Ghana whom believe they can significantly enhance fertility. Almost every indigenous group in Africa uses jewelry as a means of communication in one way or another. Known for their exuberant beaded collars and head dresses, the Yoruba women of West Africa utilise tiny glass Christmas Beads for waist adornments, with the primary intention of luring the attention of a potential mate to her form. In Ghanaian culture, the glass beads used are recycled from other materials and tend to be far larger and uniform in shape. They are used to attract attention to the female form, and are also believed to aid gastro-intestinal health. African Pendants are undoubtedly one of the most imitated forms of jewelry in the West. Focal pendants, such as those produced by the predominantly Muslim Tuareg people of the Western Sahara, have been adopted by many other cultures where Islam is the primary religion – namely due to the ancient Islamic texts and references inscribed upon them. Of course, such pendants are also popular due to their contemporary aesthetics. Moroccan Pendants collectively encompass a wide range of focal styles and timeless symmetric designs that many find appealing. Old Berber Pendants are often inset with semi-precious stones such as amber, amazonite and quartz, making them all the more desirable.