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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.
Take 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 detailsTake a look at these eccentric agate beads. The unique sandstone finish evokes the timeless landscape of saharan sand dunes. Each strand includes a...
View full detailsIndulge your eyes in these beautiful turquoise beads brought to you from the mountainous wilds of Afghanistan. Cut from baby blue Turquoise stone, ...
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 detailsAmazonite is an ancient gemstone that has been loved for its beauty for centuries. According to legend, the warrior women of the ancient Amazon tri...
View full detailsThese beautiful grey gemstone beads are made of silver leaf jasper. Silver leaf jasper is considered by many to promote balance and stability. Pay ...
View full detailsTake a look at these stunning Malachite stone Beads. Malachite is known all around the world due to its deep green color and intricate patterns. Ma...
View full detailsThese beautiful cylindrical-shaped beads are from the mountains of Afghanistan. They are made from recycled, reconstituted stone meant to resemble ...
View full detailsTake a moment to appreciate these handcrafted and carved Tibetan Agate Beads. These alluring Agate Stone Beads will help add texture and depth to y...
View full detailsThese Black Crackled Agate beads are distinguished by the crackled pattern on their surface. The agate stone used to make these beads may be heated...
View full detailsTake a look at these enticing interlocking snake beads. Modeled after traditional Czech snake beads, newer beads like this are durable and very eas...
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 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 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 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 detailsTake a look at these eccentric agate beads. The unique sandstone finish evokes the timeless landscape of saharan sand dunes. Each strand includes a...
View full detailsAventurine stone is known in the gemstone world as one of the luckiest stones. Pink aventurine is believed by some to inspire positive thinking in ...
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 detailsWhite Jade is a form of Nephrite jade considered by many as a calming and grounding stone. People often believe that it protects its wearer from ne...
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 detailsIndulge your eyes in these beautiful turquoise beads brought to you from the mountainous wilds of Afghanistan. The mineral rich landscape of Centra...
View full detailsThese beautiful cylindrical-shaped beads are from the mountains of Afghanistan. They are made from recycled, reconstituted stone meant to resemble ...
View full detailsLike the pattern of clouds billowing in a blue sky, these Sodalite beads are made from natural mineral stone. The matte finish of these spherical b...
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