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.
These beautiful tiny cylinder beads are made of authentic black jade stone from the mines of Afghanistan. Each unique strand is about 15 inches lon...
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 detailsThis pack Natural Gemstone Tiger Eye Beads will be sure to add a touch of earthy texture to your jewelry projects. Made from natural stone, these l...
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 detailsTake a look at these beautiful natural Turquoise stone beads. The brilliant tones of these polished green aqua stone beads will add a colorful touc...
View full detailsThese Translucent Carnelian Beads are classic but elegant, with a beautiful pumpkin orange hue. Carnelian Stone Beads are ideal to use as spacers, ...
View full detailsThese natural beads are made using dried lava. They are then electroplated to take on this beautiful metallic finish! Lava is a form of molten rock...
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 detailsGreat strand of blue sea sediment jasper beads. In some traditions, Jasper is said to empower the spirit and provide energy to those who hold it. B...
View full detailsThese interlocking beads are carved from agate in a shape that resembles snake vertebrae. The shape is common to vintage Czech beads which were use...
View full detailsRhodonite is a commonly occurring pink gemstone. It is most commonly found in areas like Peru, South Africa, Mexico, Argentina, Japan, South Wales ...
View full detailsExperience the beauty of nature and add alluring vibrancy to your designs with these Amethyst beads. These crystal beads are formed from genuine st...
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 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 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 detailsThis stunning strand of Nephrite Jade Beads is an excellent addition to any jewelry maker's collection. These gemstone beads are polished to perfec...
View full detailsAdmire this beautiful strand of stone nugget beads made of authentic turquoise. The brilliant and unique color will add an unmistakable accent to y...
View full detailsTake a moment to appreciate the lovely details of these 10mm Bronzite Stone Beads. Imagine all of the fun design projects you'll be able to incorpo...
View full detailsAdmire these masterfully handcrafted and patterned Tibetan Agate Beads. These incredible dark stone agates have an intricate crackled looking desig...
View full detailsThese Snowflake Obsidian Beads feature a lovely sheen and hue making them a stunning addition to any design kit. Snowflake Obsidian is a dark volca...
View full detailsThis stunning strand of Nephrite Jade Beads is an excellent addition to any jewelry maker's collection. These gemstone beads are polished to perfec...
View full detailsThese black and white Zebra Jasper beads get their name are fun and versatile to use. Each bead measures approximately 10mm diameter. Natural stone...
View full detailsAventurine is a form of quartz and is considered to be the "Stone of Opportunity." Often said to enhance prosperity and wealth, this green gemstone...
View full details