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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.
We can't get enough of these handmade tiny saucer Turquoise stone beads! Coming in such a unique shade of blue aqua turquoise these beads can add 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 detailsAmazonite is an ancient gemstone that has been loved for its beauty for centuries. According to legend, the warrior women of the ancient Amazon tri...
View full detailsDalmatian jasper is a beautiful black spotted stone that is said to help break down barriers in one's life. These beautiful matte round beads measu...
View full detailsThese delightful turquoise chip beads are made from natural polished stone. Think of all of the design possibilities you'll have with the unique ra...
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 detailsBlack Obsidian is a naturally occuring form of Volcanic Glass. It is known for its deep black color and reflective sheen. Obsidian forms when Lava ...
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 detailsAdd an eye-catching burst of texture to your custom design projects with our 8mm strands of Bronzite Stone Beads. Bronzite can be found all over th...
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 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 detailsAmethyst beads are exquisite, semi-precious gemstones that are renowned for their deep purple hue. The color of these beads can vary from light vio...
View full detailsFun and easy to work with, these colorful Druzy Agate Stone Beads are a great choice for creative and custom jewelry designs. The name Druzy genera...
View full detailsAmazonite is an ancient gemstone that has been loved for its beauty for centuries. According to legend, the warrior women of the ancient Amazon tri...
View full detailsThese Skull Beads have a fun and playful artisan feel to them. The hand carved look of these skull beads can help provide the perfect amount of edg...
View full detailsCreek Jasper is a captivating style of jasper known for its vibrant hues of green, red and yellow. It is mainly found in areas of Africa, China and...
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 detailsFrom the mountains of Afghanistan, this exciting medley includes a wide variety of delightful beads including serpentine, brass, and others. Beads ...
View full detailsThese natural beads are made using dried lava, formed from molten rock originating from a volcano eruption. They come in a variety of shapes and si...
View full detailsThese natural beads are made using dried lava, formed from molten rock originating from a volcano eruption. They come in a variety of shapes and si...
View full detailsGarnet gets it name from the Latin word malogranatum which means pomegranate. In ancient times it was believed that Garnet was a great protection s...
View full detailsAmazonite is an ancient gemstone that has been loved for its beauty for centuries. According to legend, the warrior women of the ancient Amazon tri...
View full detailsThese beautiful tiny heishi beads are made of authentic jade stone from the mines of Afghanistan. Each unique strand is about 14 inches long with b...
View full detailsThese delightful saucer beads are made of blue stone from Afghanistan. Each unique strand is about 14" long with beads measuring approximately 1.5-...
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