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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.
These natural beads are made using dried lava, formed from molten rock originating from a volcano eruption. They come in a variety of shapes and si...
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 these beautiful raw gemstone beads made from rough Rose Quartz. Rose Quartz is said to be a stone that represents one’s heart, and is found ...
View full detailsThese natural gemstone beads are made from the metamorphic rock known as Tiger's eye. Tiger's eye is known for its golden color and silky luster. S...
View full detailsAdmire these beautiful raw gemstone beads made from rough Amethyst. Amethyst is known for its beautiful natural purple color, and is mined in Siber...
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 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 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 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 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 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 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 beautiful Agate beads have an earthy green hue and striking crystalized appearance. Moss Agate is a semi-precious stone composed of quartz-op...
View full detailsTake a moment to admire these beautiful Spessartine Garnet Stone Chunk Beads. If you look closely you will notice that each natural stone has its o...
View full detailsTake a moment to appreciate the luxurious hues of these carnelian beads. Commonly referred to as the 'Stone of Confidence', Carnelian beads can mak...
View full detailsThese Graduated Amethyst Beads make for a stylish accent bead. Each bead is made from carved Amethyst stones, perfectly rounded and polished to a g...
View full detailsColloquially referred to as "African Opal", these brown stone beads have a rich texture that is hard not to notice. Mined in Africa, the stone for ...
View full detailsThis vibrant strand of Yellow Calcite Beads can make a wonderful addition to any jewelry design or craft project. These gemstone beads have a gloss...
View full detailsThese striking Amethyst Beads make a great accent bead for almost any jewelry design project. Cut and polished from natural Amethyst crystals, each...
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 primitive stone beads have a decidedly rustic feel. Formed from naturally translucent quartz stone, the carved oval pattern highlights the un...
View full detailsPicture Jasper is a unique form of Jasper that has been used by various cultures all over the world for hundreds of years. It gets its name from th...
View full detailsRed Jasper beads are a bold and striking addition to any jewelry collection. These semi-precious gemstones feature a deep red color with natural va...
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