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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 these polished non-magnetic Hematite Beads. These durable beads will help add a fun and mysterious vibe to your custom jewelry desig...
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 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 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 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 detailsThese off-white natural stone beads are versatile as they are fun. Look carefully and you will see that many beads will have a textured patterned s...
View full detailsIndulge your eyes in these beautiful lapis lazuli beads brought to you from the mountainous wilds of Afghanistan. The mineral rich landscape of Cen...
View full detailsIndulge your eyes in these beautiful green jade beads brought to you from Afghanistan. The mineral rich landscape of Central Asia has been a source...
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 detailsTake a look at these frosted non-magnetic Hematite beads. Each stone bead is features an intricate snake vertebrae-like interlocking design. Hemati...
View full detailsThese shimmering Silver Lava Snake Beads can add a unique finish to any design. These unique beads are made using dried lava. They are then electro...
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 detailsCommonly termed African Opal, these brown and black stone beads have a rich and bold presence. The natural swirl pattern is reminiscent of chocolat...
View full detailsAdmire this beautiful strand of prized African Carnelian beads from Nigeria. These stone beads have been polished to perfection to bring out their ...
View full detailsThis beautiful strand of African Opal beads is shaped like traditional colodonte trade beads. Rich in color, and smooth to the touch, these high qu...
View full detailsThese colorful turquoise oval beads are cut and polished from authentic turquoise stone. The vibrant green tones textured matrix will add a touch t...
View full detailsAdmire this unique strand of cube-shaped Jade beads patterned with a traditional motif. These delightful, handcrafted gemstone beads measure approx...
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 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 Bright Blue Lapis Lazuli Beads are a sight to behold. Each Gemstone Bead is unique with variations in mottled vibrant blue and whit...
View full detailsTake a look at these hand-patterned Tibetan agate beads. Each bead measures approximately 21-23 x 17-18mm with a hole size of approximately 1mm. Yo...
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...
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