8am-4pm PST
8am-4pm PST
Gemstone beads are treasured by many. The power and symbolism of color is central to the cultures of many indigenous tribes in Africa. From the speckled whites and grays of Bauxite Beads which mark the acceptance of a newborn into Krobo society, to the deep reddish brown of Carnelian which symbolizes vitality and fertility, it's no wonder that certain stones are considered invaluable among some tribal cultures. But, African Gemstone Beads aren't just prized for their aesthetic beauty and rarity. Tribes such as the Yoruba also place great value upon certain types of gemstones owing to their former use as early currency. Through early trade routes, there was considerable influx of natural Gemstone Beads such as agate, carnelian and turquoise; stones which were often traded with Yoruban and Bedouin chiefs in exchange for furs, art and slaves.
Unsurprisingly, the collectible value of African Gemstone Beads inspired many artisans to produce counterfeit copies from other less precious materials - the Ancient Egyptians being a great example. After exhausting many of their own turquoise mines, they looked to another material with similar properties: jasper. The vast majority of African Turquoise Beads sold today are produced from this mineral. Bauxite, favored for its reddish-brown marbled appearance, was also used throughout the trade era to produce faux Carnelian Beads, and remains a popular element among native jewelry crafters today.
Fun and easy to work with, these colorful Druzy Agate Stone Beads are a great choice for creative and custom jewelry designs. The name Druzy genera...
View full detailsCheck out this amazing strand of stone beads made from "African turquoise", which is sourced from African jasper mines. This brilliant and unique c...
View full detailsTake a look at these individually patterned Tibetan agate beads. The special character of this stone bead is apparent by the unique translucence of...
View full detailsIndulge your eyes in these beautiful lapis lazuli beads brought to you from the mountainous wilds of Afghanistan. The mineral rich landscape of Cen...
View full detailsThese glorious Carnelian Beads are cut and polished from natural stone and come in a rich earthy red color. These chip beads have an interesting sh...
View full detailsThese natural beads are made using dried lava! Lava is a form of molten rock that originates from volcano eruptions. We offer these fun beads a lar...
View full detailsTake a look at these hand-patterned Tibetan agate beads. The special character of this stone bead is apparent by the unique translucence of the bea...
View full detailsThese Serpentine Agate Beads are the perfect way to add a splash of color to your jewelry designs. These beads are made entirely of natural stone a...
View full detailsGreat strand of sea sediment jasper beads. In some traditions, Jasper is said to empower the spirit and provide energy to those who hold it. The be...
View full detailsFun and easy to work with, these colorful Druzy Agate Stone Beads are a great choice for creative and custom jewelry designs. The name Druzy genera...
View full detailsAdmire this beautiful strand of hand-patterned Tibetan agate beads fashioned in a nice oval. Each bead shows its own unique character apparent in t...
View full detailsThese natural beads are made using dried lava! Lava is a form of molten rock that originates from volcano eruptions. We offer these fun beads a lar...
View full detailsThese gorgeous White Banded Agate Disk Beads lend to any jewelry project an air of sophistication and balance. Each bead measures 10-16mm wide and ...
View full detailsAdmire the dark hue of these genuine Black Onyx Beads. Like the darkness of night, these beads can add an element of mystery to your creative desig...
View full detailsFun and easy to work with, these colorful Druzy Agate Stone Beads are a great choice for creative and custom jewelry designs. The name Druzy genera...
View full detailsThese Agate Chip Beads are a unique styling option for your jewelry design projects. Each stone bead has its own unique pattern and a cloudy look t...
View full detailsAdmire the dark hue of these genuine Black Onyx Beads. Like the darkness of night, these beads can add an element of mystery to your creative desig...
View full detailsFun and easy to work with, these colorful Druzy Agate Stone Beads are a great choice for creative and custom jewelry designs. The name Druzy genera...
View full detailsThese unusual stone beads are said to be hundreds of years old. Each bead has been individually shaped from granite stone and arranged nicely as a ...
View full detailsTake a closer look at this stunning strand of Serpentine beads. This gemstone bead strand comes with up to 100 beads, making it ideal to use as a h...
View full detailsThese natural Garnet Stone Beads will make for a striking accent in your custom necklace and bracelet designs. They would also look great as an ear...
View full detailsThese exquisite Lapis Lazuli beads were hand-faceted by an artisan in Afghanistan. The brilliant color of the natural stone is enhanced by the deta...
View full detailsThese old natural stone beads are found in Nigeria. Populating a wide swath of West Africa, the people of the Fulani tribe have long put high value...
View full detailsAdmire this beautiful strand of hand-patterned tibetan agate beads fashioned in a nice oval. Each bead shows its own unique character apparent in t...
View full details