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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.
These authentic turquoise beads have been individually hand-polished to a smooth oval shape. Turquoise stone has been prized throughout the ages fo...
View full detailsTake a moment to admire the true craftsmanship that's been put into these strands of Striped Tibetan Agate. These beads come to us all the way from...
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 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 admire these beautiful Spessartine Garnet Stone Chunk Beads. If you look closely you will notice that each natural stone has its o...
View full detailsAdmire these beautiful raw gemstone beads made from rough Citrine. Citrine is known for its beautiful yellow color, similar to citrus fruit such as...
View full detailsThese Cloudy Amethyst Beads come in a beautiful, deep hue of purple. Perfectly cut and polished with a uniform shape, these beads are sure to make ...
View full detailsTake a look at these enticing interlocking snake beads. Modeled after traditional Czech snake beads, newer beads like this are durable and very eas...
View full detailsPicture Jasper is a unique form of Jasper that has been used by various cultures all over the world for hundreds of years. It gets its name from th...
View full detailsLilac jade, often referred to as lavender jade, is a gentle purple stone that is considered in some forms of eastern medicine to have special medic...
View full detailsAdd an air of mystery to your designs with this beautiful strand of Amethyst beads. These smooth chips will add a subtle, yet vibrant hue to any de...
View full detailsAdmire these beautiful raw gemstone beads made from rough quartz. Quartz is one of the most durable minerals and is the primary constituent of beac...
View full detailsCalcite is often known as the stone of emotional intelligence. It is naturally found in deposits from hot springs, caverns, and volcanic-derived ro...
View full detailsAventurine is a form of natural quartz stone, characterized by its translucence and the presence of platy mineral inclusions that give a shimmering...
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 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 detailsThis beautiful strand of gemstone beads is made from genuine ruby stone. These ruby stones are rough cut and raw, offering a very rustic feel makin...
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 detailsLike the pattern of moonlit summer sky, these Sodalite beads are made from natural mineral stone. The premium finish of these spherical beads adds ...
View full detailsThese stunning natural Onyx beads will make a perfect addition to your jewelry collection. Onyx beads are very versatile and they complement almost...
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 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 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 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...
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