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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.
Take 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 gorgeous pack of natural Gemstone Carnelian Beads is perfect for creating a translucent pop of color in you jewelry designs. You can string th...
View full detailsThis stunning strand of Nephrite Jade Beads is an excellent addition to any jewelry maker's collection. These gemstone beads are polished to perfec...
View full detailsAdmire these beautiful raw gemstone beads made from rough labradorite stone. Labradorite is often referred to as a ‘Stone of Magic’. It is believed...
View full detailsThis gorgeous pack of Dark Carnelian Gemstone Beads is perfect for creating a translucent pop of color to you jewelry designs. You can string these...
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 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 detailsAmazonite, also known as Amazon stone, was first identified near the Amazon river in South America. These beautiful Amazonite stone beads come in a...
View full detailsGarnet gets it name from the Latin word malogranatum which means pomegranate. In ancient times it was believed that Garnet was a great protection s...
View full detailsIndulge your eyes in these beautiful lapis lazuli beads. The mineral rich landscape of Asia has been a source of treasured stones for at least thre...
View full detailsTake a moment to admire these uniquely crafted Striped Tibetan Agate Beads. These beads come to us all the way from the mountains of Tibet. Tibetan...
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 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 detailsThese beads are made of hematite stone. Hematite is said to reduce anxiety, tension, and stress and can be used to facilitate awareness, and encour...
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 this great strand of electroplated hematite beads fashioned in a faceted shape. These beads are an unusually large size of our popul...
View full detailsIndulge your eyes in these exquisite lapis lazuli beads, sourced from a premium vintage stock. For centuries, lapis has been treasured for its deep...
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 detailsAdd a level of fine craftsmanship to your designs with our Turquoise-style stone beads. These beads which are reminiscent of natural turquoise ston...
View full detailsAdmire these beautiful red jasper beads. Red jasper is a stone that is said to hold powerful physical and spiritual protection. Going back to the t...
View full detailsGarnet gets it name from the Latin word malogranatum which means pomegranate. In ancient times it was believed that Garnet was a great protection s...
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 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 detailsAdd a vintage chrome look to your beading and home design projects with these exceptional Silver Hematite Snake Beads! Silver Hematite Beads like t...
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