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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.
Fun 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 detailsTake a look at these hand-patterned Tibetan Agate beads. The special character of this stone is apparent in the unique finish of the beads. Each of...
View full detailsEnhance your jewelry creations with these stunning Round Amethyst Beads (4mm). Made of beautiful purple stone, these beads come in a strand length,...
View full detailsThese beautiful Purple Gemstone Beads are perfect for almost any jewelry design project. Made from Natural Amethyst these polished stone beads have...
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 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 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 detailsLooking for colorful and dazzling natural gemstone beads for your next DIY jewelry and craft project? Well, turn your vision into reality with our ...
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 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 detailsThese beautiful faceted beads are from the mountains of Afghanistan. They are made from recycled, reconstituted stone meant to resemble traditional...
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 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 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 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 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 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 high-quality stone beads made of authentic turquoise. This brilliant and unique color will add an unmistakable acc...
View full detailsAdd the classic look and feel of Hematite to your DIY designs with these beautiful Charcoal Interlocking Hematite Beads. Hematite is a very fun nat...
View full detailsTake a moment to appreciate the luxurious hues of these Carnelian Stone Sphere Beads. Commonly referred to as the 'Stone of Confidence', Carnelian ...
View full detailsTake a moment to appreciate the luxurious hues of these carnelian beads. Commonly referred to as the 'Stone of Confidence', Carnelian beads can mak...
View full detailsTake a moment to appreciate the luxurious hues of these carnelian beads. Commonly referred to as the 'Stone of Confidence', Carnelian beads can mak...
View full detailsThis luxurious strand Spessartine Garnet Beads is sure to be a great addition to your design kit. The gorgeous, vibrant red hue can give your craft...
View full detailsAdmire these beautiful raw gemstone beads made from rough Lapis Lazuli stone. Lapis is a natural stone that has been prized since antiquity for its...
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