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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.
Add a level of fine craftsmanship to your designs with our White Howlite beads. White Howlite beads make for a great spacer and accent piece in nec...
View full detailsThese beautiful matte picture jasper beads feature a warm blend of natural brown tones & hues. Each bead measures approximately 8-9mm in diamet...
View full detailsTake a look at these beautiful black beads made from volcanic stone. The special character of these bead is apparent in the texture of the surface ...
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 this great strand of Lapis Lazuli stone beads. Each bead is made by setting a round stone between two engraved silver caps. Lapis is a natur...
View full detailsAmazonite, also known as Amazon stone, was first identified near the Amazon river in South America. These beautiful Amazonite stone beads come in a...
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 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 detailsAdmire this great strand of Jade gemstone beads. Each bead is made by setting a round stone between two engraved silver caps. Jade is a special gre...
View full detailsAdmire this great strand of Onyx gemstone beads from Nepal. Each bead is made by setting a round stone between two engraved silver caps. Onyx is a ...
View full detailsTake a moment to admire these masterfully hand-patterned Dark Black and White Tibetan Agate Beads. Artisan Agate beads like this will help a refine...
View full detailsTake a moment to admire these stunning and luminous Malachite Stone beads. Malachite Stone beads are world famous due to their intricate and alluri...
View full detailsAdmire this great strand of Carnelian natural stone beads. Each bead is made by setting a round stone between two engraved silver caps. Carnelian i...
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 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 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 detailsThese Garnet beads are perfect for almost any jewelry design project. Cut and polished from natural gemstones the beautiful color of each bead is p...
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 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 detailsTake a dive into the deep blue tones of these alluring Lapis Lazuli Beads. Lapis Lazuli Beads are known for their vibrant blue hue and inspiring na...
View full detailsAdmire this great strand of Lapis Lazuli stone beads. Each bead is made by setting a round stone between two engraved silver caps. Lapis is a natur...
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 detailsThese Graduated Garnet Beads are perfect for your next design project! The shades of red in the natural stones can add a striking pop of dazzling c...
View full detailsAdmire this great strand of Tiger's eye gemstone beads. Each bead is made by setting a round stone between two engraved silver caps. Tiger's eye is...
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