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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.
Admire this beautiful strand of stone beads made of authentic turquoise. The brilliant and unique color will add an unmistakable accent to your jew...
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 detailsGreat strand of black jasper beads. Beautiful marbled pattern on each bead gives a distinct look. Versatile beads for any beading project. Individu...
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 detailsTake a look at these individually patterned Tibetan agate beads. The special character of this stone bead is apparent by the unique translucence of...
View full detailsIndulge your eyes in these beautiful turquoise beads brought to you from the mountainous wilds of Afghanistan. Cut from the brilliant blue Turquois...
View full detailsThese beautiful rice-shaped beads are from the mountains of Afghanistan. They are made from recycled, reconstituted stone meant to resemble traditi...
View full detailsThese beautiful rice-shaped beads are from the mountains of Afghanistan. They are made from recycled, reconstituted stone meant to resemble traditi...
View full detailsIndulge your eyes in these beautiful serpentine beads brought to you from the mountainous wilds of Afghanistan. The mineral rich landscape of Centr...
View full detailsThese stunning Deep Green Nephrite Jade Beads will make a beautiful addition to any jewelry design kit. Each natural stone beads has a smooth and p...
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 detailsIndulge your eyes in these beautiful turquoise beads brought to you from the mountainous wilds of Afghanistan. Cut from the brilliant Turquoise sto...
View full detailsIndulge your eyes in these beautiful turquoise beads brought to you from the mountainous wilds of Afghanistan. These delightful, handcrafted gemsto...
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 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 detailsAdd a level of fine craftsmanship to your designs with our Turquoise-style stone beads. These beads which are reminiscent of natural turquoise are ...
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 detailsThese beautiful cylindrical-shaped beads are from the mountains of Afghanistan. They are made from recycled, reconstituted stone meant to resemble ...
View full detailsAventurine is a form of quartz, characterized by its translucency and the presence of platy mineral inclusions that give a shimmering or glistening...
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 detailsThese beautiful faceted beads are made of authentic turquoise stone from Afghanistan. Each unique strand is about 16" long with beads measuring 5-7...
View full detailsAdd a level of fine craftsmanship to your designs with our Turquoise-style stone beads. These beads which are reminiscent of natural turquoise are ...
View full detailsTake a moment to appreciate the luxurious hues of these carnelian beads. Commonly referred to as the 'Stone of Confidence', Carnelian beads can mak...
View full detailsAdmire this beautiful strand of natural agate beads. The unique character of the stone is shown through the swirl of tones that float across its su...
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