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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.
Indulge 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 beautiful faceted beads are made of authentic turquoise stone from Afghanistan. Each unique strand is about 15 inches long with beads measuri...
View full detailsThese 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 detailsAdmire the beautiful color of these authentic jade stone beads. These beads were individually cut by artisans in Afghanistan. Many new age communit...
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 detailsFrom the mountains of Afghanistan, this exciting medley includes a wide variety of delightful beads including lapis lazuli, turquoise, jade, and ot...
View full detailsWe are obsessed with intricate shapes and patterns of these lovely strands of White Howlite beads. Howlite is one of the most popular stones when i...
View full detailsIndulge your eyes in these beautiful jade beads brought to you from the mountainous wilds of Afghanistan. The mineral rich landscape of Central Asi...
View full detailsAdmire the deep green color of these authentic jade stone beads. These beads were individually cut by artisans in Afghanistan. Many new age communi...
View full detailsThese delightful saucer beads are made of blue stone from Afghanistan. Each unique strand is about 14" long with beads measuring approximately 1.5-...
View full detailsThese beautiful stone heishi beads are made of authentic jade stone from the mines of Afghanistan. Each unique strand is about 15% long with beads ...
View full detailsDalmatian jasper is a beautiful black spotted stone that is said to help break down barriers in one's life. These beautiful matte round beads measu...
View full detailsIndulge your eyes in these beautiful cloudy quartz beads in a natural frosted finish. These delightful gemstone beads measure approximately 4-5 x 4...
View full detailsThese stunning Deep Green Nephrite Gemstone Beads will make a beautiful addition to any jewelry design kit. Each natural stone beads has a smooth a...
View full detailsAdmire these beautiful gemstone crystal beads made from Amethyst. Amethyst is known for its beautiful natural purple color, and is mined in Siberia...
View full detailsLava is one of the oldest and most frequently found stones in the world. Some consider lava to be a healing stone and believe it to provide a calmi...
View full detailsCreek Jasper is a captivating style of jasper known for its vibrant hues of green, red and yellow. It is mainly found in areas of Africa, China and...
View full detailsCheck out this amazing strand of stone beads made of authentic turquoise. This brilliant and unique color will add an unmistakable accent to your j...
View full detailsThese stylish Faceted Garnet Beads are made from natural gemstones. With a beautiful purple and red iridescent tone these stone beads are the perfe...
View full detailsCrazy lace agate, commonly known as Mexican Agate, is believed to have been formed during the cretaceous period, approximately 65-90 million years ...
View full detailsThese beautiful Lapis Lazuli Chunky Button Beads are a great find! Lapis Lazuli is known for its vibrant and deep tones of blue and makes for a dis...
View full detailsUnakite beads are a beautiful combination of green and pink that create a unique, mottled appearance. These semi-precious gemstones are often used ...
View full detailsIndulge your eyes in these beautiful yellow jade beads brought to you from Afghanistan. The mineral rich landscape of Central Asia has been a sourc...
View full detailsAdd a calming energy and understated beauty to any jewelry making project with this gorgeous set of Rose Quartz Gemstone Beads. These semi-precious...
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