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.
Admire these beautiful red jasper beads. Red jasper is a stone that is said to hold powerful physical and spiritual protection. Going back to the t...
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 detailsAdd a raw piece of the Earth to your custom design projects with our brilliant strands of Bronzite Stone Beads. Bronzite can be found all over the ...
View full detailsThese chic and earthy Nephrite Jade Gemstone Beads will make a beautiful addition to any jewelry design kit. Each natural stone beads has a smooth ...
View full detailsThese natural Onyx beads are perfect for handmade jewelry design projects. Onyx can withstand high levels of stress and therefore is perfect for ma...
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 detailsTake a look at this stunning strand of green stone beads. Also known as Shah Maqsood Jade, this gemstone is only found in the western mountains of ...
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 detailsCheck out this amazing strand of high-quality stone beads made of authentic turquoise. This brilliant and unique color will add an unmistakable acc...
View full detailsIndulge your eyes in these beautiful turquoise-style beads brought to you from the mountainous wilds of Afghanistan. The mineral rich landscape of ...
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 beautiful faceted beads are made of authentic turquoise stone from Afghanistan. Each unique strand is about 16 inches long with beads measuri...
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 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 detailsThis beautiful strand of Skull Beads is great for designers with a bold design aesthetic. Whether you use these skull beads as chunky charms for br...
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 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 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 detailsDzi beads were first documented between the years 2000 and 1000 BC in India, and are often considered to ward off the evil eye. They are made of Ag...
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 detailsIndulge your eyes in these beautiful cloudy quartz beads in a natural frosted finish. These delightful gemstone beads measure approximately 10 x 10...
View full detailsTake a look at these polished non-magnetic Hematite Beads. These durable beads will help add a fun and mysterious vibe to your custom jewelry desig...
View full detailsHard to come by - look at these beautiful beads made of prized turquoise from Southwestern Asia. It is rare to find such beautiful and genuine turq...
View full detailsTake a look at this great strand of Picasso jasper beads. In some traditions, Jasper is said to empower the spirit and provide energy to those who ...
View full details