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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.
Labradorite is often referred to as a ‘Stone of Magic’. It is believed by some to help one become more self aware of their emotions and psychic con...
View full detailsCheck out this amazing strand of stone beads made from "African turquoise", which is sourced from African jasper mines. This brilliant and unique c...
View full detailsThese natural gemstone beads are made from the metamorphic rock known as Tiger's eye. Tiger's eye is known for its golden color and silky luster. S...
View full detailsThese natural beads are made using dried lava, formed from molten rock originating from a volcano eruption. They come in a variety of shapes and si...
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 Beads are made of the highest quality Lapis Lazuli from Afghanistan. Each unique strand is approximately 13-15 inches long with bea...
View full detailsWhite Jade is a form of Nephrite jade considered by many as a calming and grounding stone. People often believe that it protects its wearer from ne...
View full detailsThese beautiful tiny heishi beads are made of natural turquoise from Afghanistan. Each unique strand is about 15-16 inches long with beads measurin...
View full detailsGreat strand of black jasper beads. Beautiful marbled pattern on each bead gives a distinct look. Versatile beads for any beading project. Individu...
View full detailsThese black and white Zebra Jasper beads get their name are fun and versatile to use. Each bead measures approximately 6mm diameter. Natural stone ...
View full detailsThese Skull Beads are a great way to add a playful and interesting vibe to your design projects. Each skull bead is skillfully shaped then is dyed ...
View full detailsIndulge your eyes in these beautiful jade beads brought to you from the mountainous wilds of Afghanistan. The mineral rich landscape of Central Asi...
View full detailsThis beautiful strand of round picture jasper beads features a blend of brown and beige tones. Each bead measures approximately 12 x 12mm, with a h...
View full detailsIndulge your eyes in these beautiful turquoise beads brought to you from the mountainous wilds of Afghanistan. Cut from the brilliant Turquoise sto...
View full detailsWe can't get enough of these rich and colorful strands of Matte Mookaite Jasper Beads! Mookaite Jasper comes to us all the way from Austrailia. Moo...
View full detailsThese beautiful heishi beads are made of the highest quality Lapis Lazuli from Afghanistan. Each bead measures approximately 2 x 2mm, with a hole s...
View full detailsFrom the mountains of Afghanistan, this exciting medley includes a wide variety of delightful beads including lapis lazuli, turquoise, jade, and ot...
View full detailsBeautiful round agate beads from Burkina Faso. Beads measures 5-9mm in diameter. Each strands shows minor variation in color and size.
We are obsessing over these deep blue Lapis Lazuli Faceted Beads! The vibrant and inspiring tones of Lapis Lazuli make these beads perfect for any ...
View full detailsGreat strand of black jasper beads. Beautiful marbled pattern on each bead gives a distinct look. Versatile beads for any beading project. Individu...
View full detailsWe are obsessed with intricate shapes and patterns of these lovely strands of White Howlite beads. Howlite is one of the most popular stones when i...
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 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 detailsAventurine stone is known in the gemstone world as one of the luckiest stones. Pink aventurine is believed by some to inspire positive thinking in ...
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