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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.
Indulge your eyes in these beautiful turquoise beads brought to you from the mountainous wilds of Afghanistan. The mineral rich landscape of Centra...
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 detailsIndulge your eyes in these beautiful cloudy quartz beads in a natural frosted finish. These delightful gemstone beads measure approximately 6 x 6mm...
View full detailsThis beautiful strand of round picture jasper beads features a blend of brown and beige tones. Each bead measures approximately 4 x 4mm, with a hol...
View full detailsTake a moment to appreciate the colorful blue tones of these Turquoise Heishi Beads! Turquoise stone beads are popular all around the world and can...
View full detailsIndulge your eyes in these beautiful turquoise beads brought to you from the mountainous wilds of Afghanistan. The mineral-rich landscape of Centra...
View full detailsIndulge your eyes in these beautiful turquoise beads brought to you from the mountainous wilds of Afghanistan. The mineral rich landscape of Centra...
View full detailsRose Quartz is said to be a stone that represents one’s heart, and is found in various areas across the world including Madagascar, Germany, India ...
View full detailsHere we have a beautiful strand of red creek jasper beads in a round shape. These beads are unique because of their large hole size of 2mm; great f...
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 is a form of quartz, characterized by its translucency and the presence of platy mineral inclusions that give a shimmering or glistening...
View full detailsIndulge your eyes in these beautiful turquoise beads brought to you from the mountainous wilds of Afghanistan. The mineral rich landscape of Centra...
View full detailsGreat strand of blue sea sediment jasper beads. In some traditions, Jasper is said to empower the spirit and provide energy to those who hold it. B...
View full detailsThese beautiful tiny heishi beads are made of the turquoise stone from Afghanistan. Each unique strand is about 11 inches long with beads measuring...
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 delicate turquoise stone beads are exceptional in the color and size. Whether you are looking to make an artistic necklace or a boho chic bra...
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 detailsRhodonite is a commonly occurring pink gemstone. It is most commonly found in areas like Peru, South Africa, Mexico, Argentina, Japan, South Wales ...
View full detailsIndulge your eyes in these beautiful green jade beads brought to you from Afghanistan. These delightful, handcrafted gemstone beads come in a fun c...
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 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 detailsGreat strand of sea sediment jasper beads. Beautiful marbled pattern on each bead gives a distinct look. Versatile beads for any beading project. I...
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 detailsLilac jade, often referred to as lavender jade, is a gentle purple stone that is considered in some forms of eastern medicine to have special medic...
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