8am-4pm PST
8am-4pm PST
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.
Admire this great strand of Jade gemstone beads. Each bead is made by setting a round stone between two engraved silver caps. Jade is a special gre...
View full detailsThese interlocking beads are carved from agate in a shape that resembles snake vertebrae. The shape is common to vintage Czech beads which were use...
View full detailsTake a look at this great strand of Picasso jasper beads. In some traditions, Jasper is said to empower the spirit and provide energy to those who ...
View full detailsAdmire this great strand of Onyx gemstone beads from Nepal. Each bead is made by setting a round stone between two engraved silver caps. Onyx is a ...
View full detailsTake a moment to admire these truly inspiring Emerald Tibetan Agate Beads. Beads like this are handcrafted and carved by master artisans in the Him...
View full detailsThese interlocking beads are carved from agate in a shape that resembles snake vertebrae. The shape is common to vintage Czech beads which were use...
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 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 detailsThese black and white Zebra Jasper beads get their name are fun and versatile to use. Each bead measures approximately 8mm diameter. Natural stone ...
View full detailsGreat strand of black jasper beads. Beautiful marbled pattern on each bead gives a distinct look. Versatile beads for any beading project. Individu...
View full detailsAdd exciting accents and patterns to your custom design projects with our amazing strands of Matte Mookaite Jasper. Mookaite Jasper can be found al...
View full detailsThese beautiful bicone beads are made of the highest quality Lapis Lazuli from Afghanistan. Each unique strand is about 15 inches long with beads m...
View full detailsAdmire the beautiful color of these authentic jade stone beads. These beads were individually cut by artisans in Afghanistan. Many new age communit...
View full detailsLava is one of the oldest and most frequently found stones in the world. Some consider lava to be a healing stone and believe it to provide a calmi...
View full detailsThese natural gemstone beads are made from the metamorphic rock known as Tiger's eye. Tiger's eye is known for its golden color and silky luster. S...
View full detailsLike the pattern of clouds billowing in a blue sky, these Sodalite beads are made from natural mineral stone. The matte finish of these spherical b...
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 detailsTake a moment to admire these masterfully hand-patterned Dark Black and White Tibetan Agate Beads. Artisan Agate beads like this will help a refine...
View full detailsAdd the fun and effervescent tones and patterns of Mookaite Jasper to your design projects with these great Matte Mookaite Beads! Most commonly kno...
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 detailsIndulge your eyes in these beautiful turquoise beads brought to you from the mountainous wilds of Afghanistan. Cut from the brilliant Turquoise sto...
View full detailsThese beautiful barrel shaped beads are made of authentic turquoise stone from Afghanistan. Each unique strand is about 15 inches long with beads m...
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 detailsCheck out these amazing strands of Turquoise Style Stone Beads. The breathtaking tones and unique colors of these beads will add a lovely accent to...
View full details