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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.
Fun 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 beads are from the mountains of Afghanistan. They are made from recycled, reconstituted stone meant to resemble traditional gemston...
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 these polished non-magnetic Hematite Beads. These durable beads will help add a fun and mysterious vibe to your custom jewelry desig...
View full detailsThese Lava Stone Beads feature a deep, vivid teal green hue. Each stone bead is crafted from volcanic lava stone, offering a unique texture and com...
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 detailsThese delightful beads have been fashioned from natural agate stone. The hues of green and brown give an earthy and colorful feel. Agate stone has ...
View full detailsGreat strand of sea sediment jasper beads. Beautiful marbled pattern on each bead gives a distinctive look. Versatile beads for any beading project...
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 detailsThis stunning Patterned Tiger Eye Bead is the perfect addition to any jewelry crafting or beading kit. Tiger Eye Gemstones have a deep brown color ...
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 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 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 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 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 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...
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 detailsWe are obsessing over these deep blue Lapis Lazuli Faceted Beads! The vibrant and inspiring tones of Lapis Lazuli make these beads perfect for any ...
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 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 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 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 detailsTake a dive into the deep blue tones of these alluring Lapis Lazuli Beads. Lapis Lazuli Beads are known for their vibrant blue hue and inspiring na...
View full detailsIndulge your eyes in these beautiful turquoise beads brought to you from the mountainous wilds of Afghanistan. Cut from the brilliant green Turquoi...
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