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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 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 detailsGreat strand of sea sediment jasper beads. In some traditions, Jasper is said to empower the spirit and provide energy to those who hold it. The be...
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 detailsThis strand of purple hued Garnet beads will add subtle beauty and color to almost any design project. Each bead has an almost magical purple and r...
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 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 REAL turquoise. This brilliant and unique color will add an unmistakable accent to your jewelr...
View full detailsThese unique Lapis beads are made from authentic lapis stone mined and polished in Afghanistan. Look carefully and you can see the veins of Pyrite ...
View full detailsThis gorgeous pack of Dark Carnelian Beads is perfect for creating a translucent pop of color to you jewelry designs. You can string these beautifu...
View full detailsWith their standout orange color and chip-style shape, these Carnelian Agate Beads are a great way to bring warmth to your beading projects. These ...
View full detailsHere we have a beautiful strand of leopard skin jasper beads in a rondelle shape. These fun, organic beads are made from natural gemstone and measu...
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...
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 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 detailsThese beautiful stone beads are from the mountains of Afghanistan. They are made from recycled, reconstituted stone meant to resemble traditional g...
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 striking Snowflake Obsidian Beads will add a unique look to your jewelry. These black gemstone beads have a naturally occurring glassy textur...
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 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 the vibrant strand of red Sea Sediment Jasper Beads. The beautiful marbled pattern on each bead is unique and distinctive. These are...
View full detailsApatite is a beautiful natural stone most commonly found in Brazil, Myanmar, and Mexico. Known for its beautiful color, it is considered by some to...
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 rice-shaped beads are from the mountains of Afghanistan. They are made from recycled, reconstituted stone meant to resemble traditi...
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