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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.
Elevate any design with these beautifully marbled Aventurine beads. These beads are made from natural gemstones giving them a sturdy and durable fe...
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 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 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 beautiful Deep Purple Gemstone Beads are perfect for almost any jewelry design project. Made from Natural Amethyst these polished gemstone be...
View full detailsThese faux turquoise stone beads will add a splash of color to any jewelry designs. Look carefully and you will see that many beads have a patterne...
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 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 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 old stone beads are both colorful and unusual. Natural stone was among the earliest materials used by ancient cultures to make beads for pers...
View full detailsHard to come by - look at these beautiful beads made of prized turquoise from Southwestern Asia. It is rare to find such beautiful and genuine turq...
View full detailsIndulge your eyes in these beautiful serpentine beads brought to you from the mountainous wilds of Afghanistan. The mineral rich landscape of Centr...
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 detailsLike the pattern of moonlit summer sky, these Sodalite beads are made from natural mineral stone. The premium finish of these spherical beads adds ...
View full detailsTake a look at these hand-patterned Tibetan agate beads. The special character of this stone bead is apparent by the unique translucence of the bea...
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 Aventurine Saucer Beads will make a great addition to your jewelry design kit. Polished to perfection with and coming in a deep gre...
View full detailsCarnelian Jasper is a unique gemstone with an earthy red tone and that is perfect for almost any jewelry design project. The distinctive shape of e...
View full detailsOur Aventurine Beads are made from a naturally occurring type of gemstone with a beautiful forest green color. Add a touch of natural beauty and vi...
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 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 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 beautiful Garnet Beads are great for creating stunning, necklaces, bracelets, and other statement jewelry pieces. Each stone bead is expertly...
View full detailsThis useful set Lapis Lazuli Beads is perfect for all types of design projects. Lapis Lazuli is a type of gemstone composed of Lazurite, Calcite, a...
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