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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 calming energy and understated beauty to any jewelry making project with this gorgeous set of Rose Quartz Gemstone Beads. These semi-precious...
View full detailsTake a look at this great strand of sea sediment jasper beads. In some traditions, Jasper is said to empower the spirit and provide energy to those...
View full detailsThese natural beads are made using dried lava! Lava is a form of molten rock that originates from volcano eruptions. We offer these fun beads a lar...
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 detailsTake a look at this great strand of sea sediment jasper beads. In some traditions, Jasper is said to empower the spirit and provide energy to those...
View full detailsCheck out this great strand of stone beads made of authentic turquoise. The rustic character of these beads will add an unmistakable accent to your...
View full detailsTake a look at these hand-patterned Tibetan agate beads. The special character of this stone bead is apparent by the unique translucence of the bea...
View full detailsThese Onyx beads are great for jewelry-making and beading projects. Onyx is a unique, precious stone known for its durability and deep black hue. W...
View full detailsThe colorful aqua tones of these tiny turquoise beads are fun and lively. Turquoise stone beads are popular all around the world and can help to ad...
View full detailsIndulge your eyes in these beautiful lapis lazuli beads brought to you from the mountainous wilds of Afghanistan. The mineral rich landscape of Cen...
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 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 detailsTake a look at this great strand of sea sediment jasper beads. In some traditions, Jasper is said to empower the spirit and provide energy to those...
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 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 detailsThese beautiful stone beads are from the mountains of Afghanistan. They are made from reconstituted stone meant to resemble traditional gemstone be...
View full detailsTake a look at this stunning strand of Rainbow Sea Sediment Jasper. The beautiful marbled pattern on each bead gives it a truly distinct look. Vers...
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 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 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 detailsThese simple and elegant hematite beads are versatile and easy to incorporate in your own unique jewelry designs. Each bead is electroplated to mim...
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 look at this great strand of sea sediment jasper beads. In some traditions, Jasper is said to empower the spirit and provide energy to those...
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...
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