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African Trade Beads

African beads were first produced as a form of currency for native inhabitants all across the continent of Africa centuries ago, and are now appreciated world wide by thousands of bead collectors, wearers, and enthusiasts. What draws people to trade beads is not only their elegance and beauty in craft, but the experience and history that comes along with each bead.  While African bead makers continue to create new beads today, many of the items we offer have traveled long distances and years of existence to arrive where they are today.

We carry a large selection of high quality, authentic trade beads. Hundreds of strands in stock, including glass trade beads, antique african trade beads, vintage venetian trade beads, Chevron trade beads, czech trade beads, and more.

Trade Beads are beads that have been used as a form of currency for the exchange of goods and services especially in West Africa. Some of the more common items that these beads were bartered for include ivory, gold, slaves, and other goods that were in demand by Europeans and colonial overlords. Trade beads were made throughout Europe, however their production was concentrated in Venice and Bohemia where the secrets of glass bead production were a carefully guarded secret. The high demand for European beads in Africa can be attributed to the cultural value put by African peoples on decorative items. Jewelry items could add to the status of the owner and could be passed on to future generations as a symbol of wealth.

Interestingly, trade beads were also used for trade in the New World. The important role that they played is illustrated by the legend that the Dutch purchased the island of Manhattan from local Native American tribes for several strands of beads. It is believed that Christopher Columbus used glass Trade Beads for barter during his early voyages. Later, Spanish explorers and European fur traders and American explorers such as Lewis and Clark used Trade Beads to facilitate interactions with local peoples and to procure goods. Today, African beads used in the trade are considered highly collectible items.

A wide variety of Trade Beads were produced between the 16th and 20th centuries. One of the most celebrated bead designs is the Millefiori Bead from Venice that was named after the characteristic flower pattern on its surface. The methods used to make these and other beads are a testament to the innovation of Venetian artisans. African artisans subsequently copied glass cane beads such as the Millefiori using powdered glass techniques to produce indigenous African Kiffa Beads with similar patterns. Additional well-known varieties of trade beads include Chevrons, Dogon Beads,Vaseline Beads, Russian Blue Beads, Skunk Beads and many others.

Today, Trade Beads are world-renown for their rich legacy and aesthetic beauty. While African Trade Beads have long been highly regarded in African culture, their appreciation in Western countries continues to grow both among bead collectors and artists as well as bead enthusiasts alike.

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Glass Snake Beads, Coral Color (6mm) - The Bead Chest
$29.00 - $29.00
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Glass Snake Beads, Coral Color (6mm)

in stock

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

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$29.00 - $29.00
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Caramel Brown Padre Beads (9mm) - The Bead Chest
$12.00 - $12.00
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$12.00

Caramel Brown Padre Beads (9mm)

in stock

Elevate your design style with our versatile glass Padre Beads. These handcrafted beads have a warm and inviting caramel-brown tone and color gradi...

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$12.00 - $12.00
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Red & White Swirl Padre Beads (9mm) - The Bead Chest
$12.00 - $12.00
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$12.00

Red & White Swirl Padre Beads (9mm)

in stock

Step into a world of bold contrasts with our striking Red and White Padre Beads. Each glass bead showcases a deep, bold red that seamlessly blends ...

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Cobalt Blue Padre Beads (9mm) - The Bead Chest
$12.00 - $12.00
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$12.00

Cobalt Blue Padre Beads (9mm)

in stock

These Cobalt Padre Beads can add a vibrant and dynamic look to almost any design project. Great for crafting bracelets, necklaces, and earrings tha...

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$12.00 - $12.00
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Green Padre Beads (8mm) - The Bead Chest
$12.00 - $12.00
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Green Padre Beads (8mm)

in stock

Take a closer look at these striking Green Padre Beads. These glass beads feature a soothing green base accented with a distinctive dark green stri...

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$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00
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Old White Padre Beads - The Bead Chest
Save 29% Save %
$35.00
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$25.00

Old White Padre Beads

in stock

These white padre beads are found in Ethiopia, East Africa. Originally European made and have been traded in African in the late 1800 early 1900's....

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$35.00
$35.00 - $35.00
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$25.00
$25.00 - $25.00
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Baby Blue Binta Banji Kakamba Beads (5x8mm) - The Bead Chest
$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00
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$12.00

Baby Blue Binta Banji Kakamba Beads (5x8mm)

Only 2 left!

These brilliant glass beads are made using techniques pioneered in Czechoslovakia. Beads such as these were produced during the 19th and 20th centu...

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$12.00 - $12.00
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Blue & White Swirl Padre Beads (7mm) - The Bead Chest
$14.00 - $14.00
$14.00
$14.00
$14.00 - $14.00
$14.00

Blue & White Swirl Padre Beads (7mm)

in stock

Take a closer look at these amazing Blue and White Padre Beads. Each artisan bead features an eye-catching marbled pattern that is perfect for addi...

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$14.00 - $14.00
$14.00
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Silver Miniature Padre Beads (6mm) - The Bead Chest
$10.00 - $10.00
$10.00
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$10.00

Silver Miniature Padre Beads (6mm)

in stock

Take a closer look at these lovely strands of silver miniature Padre Beads. Each individually handcrafted bead is approximately 6 x 6.5mm with a ro...

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$10.00 - $10.00
$10.00
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$10.00 - $10.00
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Copper Miniature Padre Beads (6mm) - The Bead Chest
$10.00 - $10.00
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$10.00

Copper Miniature Padre Beads (6mm)

in stock

Take a look at these reflective strands of copper miniature Padre Beads. Each strand is about 16" in length. Each individually handcrafted bead is ...

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$10.00 - $10.00
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$10.00 - $10.00
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Vintage Coral & Turquoise Mixed Glass Snake Beads (6mm) - The Bead Chest
Save 17% Save %
$29.00
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$24.00
$24.00 - $24.00
$24.00

Vintage Coral & Turquoise Mixed Glass Snake Beads (6mm)

in stock

Snake beads are vintage African trade beads originally produced in former Czechoslovakia and exported to West Africa. The shape of these beads is i...

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$29.00
$29.00 - $29.00
$29.00
$24.00
$24.00 - $24.00
$24.00
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Translucent River Aqua Padre Beads (9mm) - The Bead Chest
Sold out
$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00
$12.00
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$12.00

Translucent River Aqua Padre Beads (9mm)

Out of stock

Add a touch of translucent texture to your creative projects with these beautiful Aqua Padre Beads. Great for creating a stylish vibe for your jewe...

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$12.00 - $12.00
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Sage Green Padre Beads (9mm) - The Bead Chest
Sold out
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Sage Green Padre Beads (9mm)

Out of stock

Check out these lovely Sage Green Padre Beads. Each bead has a nice soft sage tone with a darker green stripe down the middle of each bead that cre...

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$12.00 - $12.00
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Dark Blue & White Swirl Padre Beads (7mm) - The Bead Chest
$14.00 - $14.00
$14.00
$14.00
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$14.00

Dark Blue & White Swirl Padre Beads (7mm)

in stock

Admire the mesmerizing tones of these beautiful Blue & White Padre Beads. Each bead is a miniature work of art, featuring a striking marbled pa...

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$14.00 - $14.00
$14.00
$14.00
$14.00 - $14.00
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Smooth Copper Padre Beads (9mm) - The Bead Chest
Sold out
$19.59 - $19.59
$19.59
$19.59
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$19.59

Smooth Copper Padre Beads (9mm)

Out of stock

Here we have a lovely strand of antique copper metal beads. These handcrafted beads are great for a lot of different jewelry design techniques and ...

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$19.59 - $19.59
$19.59
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Translucent Rose Padre Beads (8mm) - The Bead Chest
$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00
$12.00
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$12.00

Translucent Rose Padre Beads (8mm)

in stock

Imbue your creations with a touch of delicate elegance with our beautiful Rose Padre Beads. The soft and translucent rose hue brings a gentle touch...

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$12.00 - $12.00
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$14.00 - $14.00
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$14.00
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$14.00

Skunk Elbow Krobo Powder Glass Beads

in stock

A beautiful strand of powder glass African beads, made by the people of Krobo Mountain (Ghana, West Africa), reproducing old Venetian FANCY trade b...

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$14.00 - $14.00
$14.00
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$14.00 - $14.00
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Translucent Olive Green Padre Beads (9mm) - The Bead Chest
$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00
$12.00
$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00

Translucent Olive Green Padre Beads (9mm)

in stock

Admire these earthy Green Padre Beads. Made from glass, each bead has a lush olive green tone and a beautiful translucent look. These beads have a ...

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$12.00 - $12.00
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$35.00 - $35.00
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Black Skunk Beads (15mm)

Out of stock

A beautiful strand of black and white skunk beads, made to resemble the older Eye beads produced in Italy in the 1800 early 1900. The idea of the ...

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$35.00 - $35.00
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$35.00 - $35.00
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Peach & White Swirl Padre Beads (6mm) - The Bead Chest
$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00
$12.00
$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00

Peach & White Swirl Padre Beads (6mm)

in stock

Elevate your jewelry creations with these lovely Peach-tone Padre Beads. Perfect for crafting bracelets, necklaces, and earrings the simple rounded...

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$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00
$12.00
$12.00 - $12.00
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Sky Blue Padre Beads (9mm) - The Bead Chest
$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00
$12.00
$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00

Sky Blue Padre Beads (9mm)

in stock

Add the tranquil beauty of the sky to your jewelry design projects with these great Blue Padre Beads. These artisan glass beads feature a serene bl...

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$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00
$12.00
$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00
Aqua Green & White Swirl Padre Beads (9mm) - The Bead Chest
Sold out
$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00
$12.00
$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00

Aqua Green & White Swirl Padre Beads (9mm)

Out of stock

Dive into the refreshing beauty of our Aqua Green Padre Beads. Each bead features a mesmerizing blend of colors, reminiscent of the sea's tranquil ...

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$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00
$12.00
$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00
Sold out
Cylindrical Millefiori Beads (18x8mm) - The Bead Chest
$35.00 - $35.00
$35.00
$35.00
$35.00 - $35.00
$35.00

Cylindrical Millefiori Beads (18x8mm)

Only 2 left!

Admire this beautiful strand of glass millefiori beads. Look closely and you will see different colored flowers hand fused into each bead. Each bea...

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$35.00 - $35.00
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$35.00 - $35.00
$35.00
Sold out
$9.00 - $9.00
$9.00
$9.00
$9.00 - $9.00
$9.00

Red White Heart Beads (4mm)

Out of stock

Checkout this beautiful strand of translucent red white hearts! The strand measures approximately 24-26", with beads measuring about 4-5mm in dia...

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$9.00 - $9.00
$9.00
$9.00
$9.00 - $9.00
$9.00
Sold out