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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 alluring Amethyst Beads have a delightful polished sheen that displays a deep purple color when they move in the light. The classic faceted s...
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 detailsAdmire the details of this exceptional strand of hand-patterned tibetan agate beads fashioned in a oval shape. Each bead shows its own unique chara...
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 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 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 detailsThis versatile set Lapis Lazuli Beads is perfect almost any jewelry design project. Lapis Lazuli is a type of gemstone composed of Lazurite, Calcit...
View full detailsIndulge your eyes in these beautiful Jade beads brought to you from Afghanistan. These delightful, handcrafted gemstone beads come in a useful cyli...
View full detailsCheck out these vibrant strands of Malachite-Style Stone Beads. The depth of tones and unique colors of these beads will add a lovely accent to you...
View full detailsAventurine is a form of quartz and is considered to be the "Stone of Opportunity." Often said to enhance prosperity and wealth, this green gemstone...
View full detailsThe striking green shade of these authentic turquoise nuggets is beautiful as it is unique. The rustic texture of the individual pieces give this b...
View full detailsIndulge your eyes in these beautiful cloudy quartz beads in a natural frosted finish. These delightful gemstone beads measure approximately 12 x 12...
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 detailsAmethyst beads are exquisite, semi-precious gemstones that are renowned for their deep purple hue. The color of these beads can vary from light vio...
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 stunning strand of natural turquoise beads! Known for its dense texture and vibrant color, turquoise is a popular gemstone and ...
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 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 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 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 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 detailsAdd a vintage chrome look to your beading and home design projects with these exceptional Silver Hematite Beads. Hematite Beads like this are very ...
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...
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