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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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$69.00
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$69.00
Genuine Sleeping Beauty Turquoise Chip Beads (3-6mm)
Out of stock
For those who appreciate quality turquoise stone, these beads are the cream of the crop. Sleeping beauty turquoise is prized for its natural brilli...
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$69.00
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$69.00
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$69.00
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$69.00
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$135.00
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$135.00
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$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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Original price
$135.00
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$135.00
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$135.00
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$135.00
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$135.00
Current price
$135.00
Sold out
Original price
$135.00
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$135.00
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$135.00
$135.00
$135.00
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$135.00
Current price
$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...
View full details
Original price
$135.00
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Original price
$135.00
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$135.00
$135.00
$135.00
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$135.00
Current price
$135.00
Sold out
Original price
$135.00
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$135.00
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$135.00
$135.00
$135.00
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$135.00
Current price
$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...
View full details
Original price
$135.00
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Original price
$135.00
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$135.00
$135.00
$135.00
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$135.00
Current price
$135.00
Sold out
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$135.00
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$135.00
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$135.00
$135.00
$135.00
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$135.00
Current price
$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...
View full details
Original price
$135.00
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Original price
$135.00
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$135.00
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$135.00
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$135.00
Current price
$135.00
Sold out
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$135.00
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$135.00
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$135.00
Ancient Mali Granite Stone Beads
Out of stock
These unusual stone beads are said to be hundreds of years old. Each bead has been individually shaped from granite stone and arranged nicely as a ...
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$135.00
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$135.00
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$135.00
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$135.00
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$135.00
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$135.00
Current price
$135.00
Ancient Mali Granite Stone Beads
Out of stock
These unusual stone beads are said to be hundreds of years old. Each bead has been individually shaped from granite stone and arranged nicely as a ...
View full details
Original price
$135.00
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Original price
$135.00
Original price
$135.00
$135.00
$135.00
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$135.00
Current price
$135.00
Sold out
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$135.00
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$135.00
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$135.00
Current price
$135.00
Ancient Mali Granite 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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$135.00
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$720.00
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$720.00
Old African Amazonite Stone Beads
Out of stock
These stone beads are said to be centuries old because they seem to have been made in a very primitive way. This strand of African beads measures ...
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$720.00
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$1,295.00
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$1,295.00
Ancient Amazonite African Stone Beads
Out of stock
Admire this incredible strand of pastel-toned Amazonite Stone Beads from Mali West Africa. Beads such as these have been prized for their unique co...
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Original price
$1,895.00
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$1,895.00
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$1,895.00
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$1,895.00
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$1,295.00
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$1,295.00
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$1,295.00
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$69.00
Rondelle-Style Genuine Sleeping Beauty Turquoise Beads (Deep-Blue)
Out of stock
For those who appreciate quality turquoise stone, these beads are the cream of the crop. Sleeping beauty turquoise is prized for its natural brilli...
View full details
Original price
$69.00
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Original price
$69.00
Original price
$69.00
$69.00
$69.00
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$69.00
Current price
$69.00
Sold out
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$1,495.00
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$1,495.00
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$1,195.00
$1,195.00
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$1,195.00
Current price
$1,195.00
Ancient Amazonite African Stone Beads
Only 1 left!
Admire this beautiful strand of pastel-toned Amazonite Stone Beads from Mali West Africa. Beads such as these have been prized for their unique col...
View full details
Original price
$1,495.00
Original price
$1,495.00
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Original price
$1,495.00
Original price
$1,495.00
Current price
$1,195.00
$1,195.00
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$1,195.00
Current price
$1,195.00
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