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Gemstone Beads

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.

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Ancient Mali Carnelian Stone Beads - The Bead Chest Sold out
$165.00 - $165.00
$165.00
$165.00
$165.00 - $165.00
$165.00

Ancient Mali Carnelian Stone Beads

Out of stock

These old stone beads are both colorful and unusual. Natural stone was among the earliest materials used by ancient cultures to make beads for pers...

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$165.00 - $165.00
$165.00
$165.00
$165.00 - $165.00
$165.00
Sold out
Ancient Mali Carnelian Stone Beads - The Bead Chest Sold out
$165.00 - $165.00
$165.00
$165.00
$165.00 - $165.00
$165.00

Ancient Mali Carnelian Stone Beads

Out of stock

These 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 details
$165.00 - $165.00
$165.00
$165.00
$165.00 - $165.00
$165.00
Sold out
Ancient Mali Carnelian Stone Beads - The Bead Chest Sold out
$165.00 - $165.00
$165.00
$165.00
$165.00 - $165.00
$165.00

Ancient Mali Carnelian Stone Beads

Out of stock

These 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 details
$165.00 - $165.00
$165.00
$165.00
$165.00 - $165.00
$165.00
Sold out
Antique Faceted Idar-Oberstein Agate Beads - The Bead Chest Sold out
$135.00 - $135.00
$135.00
$135.00
$135.00 - $135.00
$135.00

Antique Faceted Idar-Oberstein Agate Beads

Out of stock

Commonly referred to by their place of production, Idar Oberstein Beads carry to this day a reputation for quality craftsmanship. Idar Oberstein in...

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$135.00 - $135.00
$135.00
$135.00
$135.00 - $135.00
$135.00
Sold out
Authentic Turquoise Stone Teardrop Beads - The Bead Chest
Sold out
$78.00 - $78.00
$78.00
$78.00
$78.00 - $78.00
$78.00

Authentic Turquoise Stone Teardrop Beads

Out of stock

Check out this amazing strand of stone beads made of authentic turquoise. This brilliant and unique color will add an unmistakable accent to your j...

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$78.00 - $78.00
$78.00
$78.00
$78.00 - $78.00
$78.00
Sold out
Oval-shaped Tibetan Agate Medallion Beads (29x20mm) - The Bead Chest
Sold out
$19.00 - $19.00
$19.00
$19.00
$19.00 - $19.00
$19.00

Oval-shaped Tibetan Agate Medallion Beads (29x20mm)

Out of stock

Take 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...

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$19.00 - $19.00
$19.00
$19.00
$19.00 - $19.00
$19.00
Sold out
Flower-Shape Authentic Turquoise Beads - The Bead Chest
Sold out
$240.00
$240.00 - $240.00
$240.00
$219.00
$219.00 - $219.00
$219.00

Flower-Shape Authentic Turquoise Beads

Out of stock

Check out this amazing strand of stone beads made of authentic turquoise. This brilliant and unique color will add an unmistakable accent to your j...

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$240.00
$240.00 - $240.00
$240.00
$219.00
$219.00 - $219.00
$219.00
Sold out
Ancient Mali Carnelian Stone Beads - The Bead Chest
Sold out
$165.00 - $165.00
$165.00
$165.00
$165.00 - $165.00
$165.00

Ancient Mali Carnelian Stone Beads

Out of stock

These 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 details
$165.00 - $165.00
$165.00
$165.00
$165.00 - $165.00
$165.00
Sold out
Turquoise Beads, Graduated Teardrop, Flat - The Bead Chest
Sold out
$29.00 - $29.00
$29.00
$29.00
$29.00 - $29.00
$29.00

Turquoise Beads, Graduated Teardrop, Flat

Out of stock

Don't let these beautiful handmade turquoise beads pass by you. Beads are very rich in color and measure 8-21mm long, and 1-6 mm thick. The stra...

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$29.00 - $29.00
$29.00
$29.00
$29.00 - $29.00
$29.00
Sold out
Ancient Mali Carnelian Stone Beads - The Bead Chest
Sold out
$165.00 - $165.00
$165.00
$165.00
$165.00 - $165.00
$165.00

Ancient Mali Carnelian Stone Beads

Out of stock

These 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 details
$165.00 - $165.00
$165.00
$165.00
$165.00 - $165.00
$165.00
Sold out
Ancient African Serpentine Stone Beads - The Bead Chest
Sold out
$1,375.00
$1,375.00 - $1,375.00
$1,375.00
$1,225.00
$1,225.00 - $1,225.00
$1,225.00

Ancient African Serpentine Stone Beads

Out of stock

Take a look at this incredible strand of ancient Serpentine stone beads. The rich deep green color and lustrous texture of these beads make them am...

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$1,375.00
$1,375.00 - $1,375.00
$1,375.00
$1,225.00
$1,225.00 - $1,225.00
$1,225.00
Sold out
Ancient Quartz & Rock Crystal Stone Disk Beads - The Bead Chest
Sold out
$275.00 - $275.00
$275.00
$275.00
$275.00 - $275.00
$275.00

Ancient Quartz & Rock Crystal Stone Disk Beads

Out of stock

These unusual beads have been individually hewn from solid stone. The variation in the natural mineral is visible in the varied tones of the beads....

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$275.00 - $275.00
$275.00
$275.00
$275.00 - $275.00
$275.00
Sold out
Flower-Shape Authentic Turquoise Beads - The Bead Chest
Sold out
$228.00
$228.00 - $228.00
$228.00
$199.00
$199.00 - $199.00
$199.00

Flower-Shape Authentic Turquoise Beads

Out of stock

Check 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 details
$228.00
$228.00 - $228.00
$228.00
$199.00
$199.00 - $199.00
$199.00
Sold out
$149.00 - $149.00
$149.00
$149.00
$149.00 - $149.00
$149.00

Antique Faceted Idar-Oberstein Agate Beads #16829

Only 1 left!

Commonly referred to by their place of production, Idar Oberstein Beads carry to this day a reputation for quality craftsmanship. Idar Oberstein in...

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$149.00 - $149.00
$149.00
$149.00
$149.00 - $149.00
$149.00
Sold out
$149.00 - $149.00
$149.00
$149.00
$149.00 - $149.00
$149.00

Antique Faceted Idar-Oberstein Agate Beads #16828

Out of stock

Commonly referred to by their place of production, Idar Oberstein Beads carry to this day a reputation for quality craftsmanship. Idar Oberstein in...

View full details
$149.00 - $149.00
$149.00
$149.00
$149.00 - $149.00
$149.00
Sold out
$149.00 - $149.00
$149.00
$149.00
$149.00 - $149.00
$149.00

Antique Faceted Idar-Oberstein Agate Beads #16830

Only 1 left!

Commonly referred to by their place of production, Idar Oberstein Beads carry to this day a reputation for quality craftsmanship. Idar Oberstein in...

View full details
$149.00 - $149.00
$149.00
$149.00
$149.00 - $149.00
$149.00
$149.00 - $149.00
$149.00
$149.00
$149.00 - $149.00
$149.00

Antique Faceted Idar-Oberstein Agate Beads #16831

Only 1 left!

Commonly referred to by their place of production, Idar Oberstein Beads carry to this day a reputation for quality craftsmanship. Idar Oberstein in...

View full details
$149.00 - $149.00
$149.00
$149.00
$149.00 - $149.00
$149.00
$149.00 - $149.00
$149.00
$149.00
$149.00 - $149.00
$149.00

Antique Faceted Idar-Oberstein Agate Beads #16832

Only 1 left!

Commonly referred to by their place of production, Idar Oberstein Beads carry to this day a reputation for quality craftsmanship. Idar Oberstein in...

View full details
$149.00 - $149.00
$149.00
$149.00
$149.00 - $149.00
$149.00
$149.00 - $149.00
$149.00
$149.00
$149.00 - $149.00
$149.00

Antique Faceted Idar-Oberstein Agate Beads #16837

Only 1 left!

Commonly referred to by their place of production, Idar Oberstein Beads carry to this day a reputation for quality craftsmanship. Idar Oberstein in...

View full details
$149.00 - $149.00
$149.00
$149.00
$149.00 - $149.00
$149.00
$149.00 - $149.00
$149.00
$149.00
$149.00 - $149.00
$149.00

Antique Faceted Idar-Oberstein Agate Beads #16834

Only 1 left!

Commonly referred to by their place of production, Idar Oberstein Beads carry to this day a reputation for quality craftsmanship. Idar Oberstein in...

View full details
$149.00 - $149.00
$149.00
$149.00
$149.00 - $149.00
$149.00
$149.00 - $149.00
$149.00
$149.00
$149.00 - $149.00
$149.00

Antique Faceted Idar-Oberstein Agate Beads #16836

Only 1 left!

Commonly referred to by their place of production, Idar Oberstein Beads carry to this day a reputation for quality craftsmanship. Idar Oberstein in...

View full details
$149.00 - $149.00
$149.00
$149.00
$149.00 - $149.00
$149.00
$149.00 - $149.00
$149.00
$149.00
$149.00 - $149.00
$149.00

Antique Faceted Idar-Oberstein Agate Beads #16833

Only 1 left!

Commonly referred to by their place of production, Idar Oberstein Beads carry to this day a reputation for quality craftsmanship. Idar Oberstein in...

View full details
$149.00 - $149.00
$149.00
$149.00
$149.00 - $149.00
$149.00
$149.00 - $149.00
$149.00
$149.00
$149.00 - $149.00
$149.00

Antique Faceted Idar-Oberstein Agate Beads #16835

Only 1 left!

Commonly referred to by their place of production, Idar Oberstein Beads carry to this day a reputation for quality craftsmanship. Idar Oberstein in...

View full details
$149.00 - $149.00
$149.00
$149.00
$149.00 - $149.00
$149.00
$32.00 - $32.00
$32.00
$32.00
$32.00 - $32.00
$32.00

Vintage Round Weathered Lapis Lazuli Beads (10mm)

in stock

Indulge your eyes in these exquisite lapis lazuli beads, sourced from a premium vintage stock. For centuries, lapis has been treasured for its deep...

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$32.00 - $32.00
$32.00
$32.00
$32.00 - $32.00
$32.00