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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.
Great 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 detailsIndulge your eyes in these beautiful turquoise style beads brought to you from the mountainous wilds of Afghanistan. These stunning handcrafted bea...
View full detailsTake a look at these uniquely patterned Tibetan agate beads. The special character of this stone bead is apparent by the special pattern and textur...
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 detailsAdmire this beautiful strand of hand-patterned Tibetan agate beads fashioned in a nice oval. Each bead shows its own unique character apparent in t...
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 detailsWe are loving the natural and striking tones of these Brown Stone Egyptian Scarab Beads. In Egyptian culture, Scarabs were a symbol of transformati...
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 detailsThese unique Lapis beads are made from authentic lapis stone mined and polished in Afghanistan. These Lapis beads can make for a great addition to ...
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 detailsThese beautiful heishi-shaped beads are from the mountains of Afghanistan. They are made from recycled, reconstituted stone meant to resemble tradi...
View full detailsIndulge your eyes in these beautiful green jade beads brought to you from Afghanistan. The mineral rich landscape of Central Asia has been a source...
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 enticing interlocking snake beads. Modeled after traditional Czech snake beads, newer beads like this are durable and very eas...
View full detailsAdd a pop of vibrancy and texture to your jewelry designs with these mesmerizing faceted Malachite stone beads. This stunning green gemstone is ren...
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 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 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 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 detailsThese beautiful Amethyst Tube Beads are sure to make a statement in any jewelry design. Each elongated stone tube bead is carved with a spiral patt...
View full detailsThese beautiful round moss agate beads are just perfect for adding a touch of vibrance to any creative project. With 10mm diameter, and a beautiful...
View full detailsAdmire the beautiful color of these authentic Serpentine stone beads. These beads were individually cut by artisans in Afghanistan. Many new age co...
View full detailsCheck out this great strand of stone beads made of authentic turquoise. The unique color will add an unmistakable accent to your jewelry designs. ...
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...
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