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Ghana Beads

Ghana is home to the largest bead markets in Africa. Below are African beads imported from Ghana. Trade beads have a long history in the West African country of Ghana. In fact, Ghana beads were once a form of national currency and were used to purchase many different kinds of goods including alcohol, slaves, and even textiles. The production of beads in Ghana was first documented over 200 years ago however evidence of bead production extends over two thousand years. Due to their use in trade, beads in Ghana may have a wide variety of origins that trace ancient and modern trade routes including Europe, the Middle East, and Asia. Modern Ghana overlaps with the terrain of the ancient Ghana Empire.

A number of bead varieties are locally produced in Ghana. These include recycled glass beads that are made from empty glass bottles, seashell beads, as well as Krobo beads. The manufacturing of recycled beads is one way that the people of Ghana use traditional inspiration to bring new uses to old materials. The process involves breaking used bottles in pieces that are then melted and shaped using clay molds designed with the desired shape in mind. Beads may be washed in sand and then painted with designs.

Similarly, Ghana is one of the most important countries for the manufacture of Krobo beads. This name Krobo, is derived from the fact that a great deal of the powdered glass beads in Ghana are produced Krobo artisans. However craftsmen from the Ashanti ethnic group are also heavily involved in this production. Beads continue to play a role in traditional Krobo culture where they are used for many different ceremonies such as birth, marriage, death, and coming of age rituals such as Dipo where girls where a large number of beads and perform special dances. African beads are also used as a symbol of status and are worn by community leaders and chiefs.

In recent years, there has been a revival in the use of trade beads in Ghana so much so that young people are wearing them as an expression of pride in African tradition. Interestingly, the different colors that are used in the design of beads have different symbolism such as blue that represents purity, white that represents fertility, and gold that represents wealth.

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Krobo Fancy Powderglass Beads (Long Strand) - The Bead Chest
$18.00 - $18.00
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$18.00 - $18.00
$18.00

Krobo Fancy Powderglass Beads (Long Strand)

in stock

A beautiful strand of powder glass African beads, made by the people of Krobo Mountain (Ghana, West Africa ), resembling old Venetian FANCY trade b...

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$18.00 - $18.00
$18.00
$18.00
$18.00 - $18.00
$18.00
Turquoise Recycled Glass Beads (9mm) - The Bead Chest Sold out
$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00
$12.00
$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00

Turquoise Recycled Glass Beads (9mm)

Out of stock

Admire this beautiful strand of recycled glass beads in a highly rare turquoise color! Recycled glass beads are a type of indigenously produced Afr...

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$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00
$12.00
$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00
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Clear Aqua Round Java Recycled Glass Beads (11mm) - The Bead Chest
$10.00 - $10.00
$10.00
$10.00
$10.00 - $10.00
$10.00

Clear Aqua Round Java Recycled Glass Beads (11mm)

in stock

Beautiful strand of clear aqua recycled glass beads from the island of Java. These frosted beads have been fashioned in a round shape and come in a...

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$10.00 - $10.00
$10.00
$10.00
$10.00 - $10.00
$10.00
Opaque Black Rondelle Recycled Glass Beads - The Bead Chest
$12.50 - $12.50
$12.50
$12.50
$12.50 - $12.50
$12.50

Opaque Black Rondelle Recycled Glass Beads

in stock

From the villages of Ghana, these beautiful recycled glass beads are made by artisan craftspeople 100% by hand. The beads themselves are made using...

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$12.50 - $12.50
$12.50
$12.50
$12.50 - $12.50
$12.50
Brown Giraffe Krobo Powder Glass Beads - The Bead Chest
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$12.00 - $12.00
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$12.00
$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00

Brown Giraffe Krobo Powder Glass Beads

Out of stock

A beautiful strand of powder glass African beads, made by the people of Krobo Mountain in Ghana, West Africa. Made from bottles and other glass ite...

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$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00
$12.00
$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00
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Ghana Brass Donut Beads (9mm) - The Bead Chest
Sold out
$39.00 - $39.00
$39.00
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$39.00 - $39.00
$39.00

Ghana Brass Donut Beads (9mm)

Out of stock

These handmade rings are made by independent artisans in Ghana. Measuring approximately 9mm in diameter, each donut-shaped ring has a hole size of ...

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$39.00 - $39.00
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$39.00 - $39.00
$39.00
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Black Vinyl Phono Record Beads (10mm) - The Bead Chest
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$14.00
$14.00 - $14.00
$14.00
$12.00
$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00

Black Vinyl Phono Record Beads (10mm)

in stock

Take a look at this beautiful strand of African vinyl beads in a black color. Beads such as these are found in Ghana and Nigeria where they are som...

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$14.00
$14.00 - $14.00
$14.00
$12.00
$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00
Save 14% Save %
Rasta Medley Vinyl Phono Record Beads (10mm) - The Bead Chest
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$14.00 - $14.00
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$14.00

Rasta Medley Vinyl Phono Record Beads (10mm)

Out of stock

Take a look at this beautiful strand of African vinyl beads in a multicolor color. Beads such as these are found in Ghana and Nigeria where they ar...

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$14.00 - $14.00
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$14.00 - $14.00
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Yellow Vinyl Phono Record Beads (10mm) - The Bead Chest
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$14.00
$14.00 - $14.00
$14.00
$4.99
$4.99 - $4.99
$4.99

Yellow Vinyl Phono Record Beads (10mm)

Out of stock

Take a look at this beautiful strand of African vinyl beads in a yellow color. Beads such as these are found in Ghana and Nigeria where they are so...

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$14.00
$14.00 - $14.00
$14.00
$4.99
$4.99 - $4.99
$4.99
Sold out
Turquoise Vinyl Phono Record Beads (10mm) - The Bead Chest
Sold out
$14.00 - $14.00
$14.00
$14.00
$14.00 - $14.00
$14.00

Turquoise Vinyl Phono Record Beads (10mm)

Out of stock

Take a look at this beautiful strand of African vinyl beads in a green color. Beads such as these are found in Ghana and Nigeria where they are som...

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$14.00 - $14.00
$14.00
$14.00
$14.00 - $14.00
$14.00
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Cameroon Style Brass Filigree Cylinder Beads (10mm) - The Bead Chest
Sold out
$22.00 - $22.00
$22.00
$22.00
$22.00 - $22.00
$22.00

Cameroon Style Brass Filigree Cylinder Beads (10mm)

Out of stock

These round brass beads from Ghana were individually crafted using an age-old technique from West Africa. Resembling a filigree beads, these beads ...

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$22.00 - $22.00
$22.00
$22.00
$22.00 - $22.00
$22.00
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Brown Swirl Recycled Glass Beads (9mm) - The Bead Chest
$9.00 - $9.00
$9.00
$9.00
$9.00 - $9.00
$9.00

Brown Swirl Recycled Glass Beads (9mm)

in stock

Take a look at this beautiful strand of brown recycled glass beads. You will receive a 25" strand with approximately 62 beads. Recycled glass beads...

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$9.00 - $9.00
$9.00
$9.00
$9.00 - $9.00
$9.00
Blue Vinyl Phono Record Beads (10mm) - The Bead Chest
Sold out
$14.00
$14.00 - $14.00
$14.00
$4.99
$4.99 - $4.99
$4.99

Blue Vinyl Phono Record Beads (10mm)

Out of stock

Take a look at this beautiful strand of African vinyl beads in a blue color. Beads such as these are found in Ghana and Nigeria where they are some...

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$14.00
$14.00 - $14.00
$14.00
$4.99
$4.99 - $4.99
$4.99
Sold out
Baby Blue Vinyl Phono Record Beads (10mm) - The Bead Chest
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$14.00
$14.00 - $14.00
$14.00
$4.99
$4.99 - $4.99
$4.99

Baby Blue Vinyl Phono Record Beads (10mm)

Out of stock

Take a look at this beautiful strand of African vinyl beads in a blue color. Beads such as these are found in Ghana and Nigeria where they are some...

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$14.00
$14.00 - $14.00
$14.00
$4.99
$4.99 - $4.99
$4.99
Sold out
Orange Vinyl Phono Record Beads (10mm) - The Bead Chest
Sold out
$14.00
$14.00 - $14.00
$14.00
$4.99
$4.99 - $4.99
$4.99

Orange Vinyl Phono Record Beads (10mm)

Out of stock

Take a look at this beautiful strand of African vinyl beads in a orange color. Beads such as these are found in Ghana and Nigeria where they are so...

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$14.00
$14.00 - $14.00
$14.00
$4.99
$4.99 - $4.99
$4.99
Sold out
Serpentine-Style Ghana Glass Beads (25x10mm) - The Bead Chest
Sold out
$14.00 - $14.00
$14.00
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$14.00 - $14.00
$14.00

Serpentine-Style Ghana Glass Beads (25x10mm)

Out of stock

Admire these beautiful glass beads from Ghana designed to imitate authentic serpentine stone. These cylindrical beads are rich in detail and textur...

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$14.00 - $14.00
$14.00
$14.00
$14.00 - $14.00
$14.00
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Light Green Sandcast Cylinder Beads - The Bead Chest
$8.00 - $8.00
$8.00
$8.00
$8.00 - $8.00
$8.00

Light Green Sandcast Cylinder Beads

in stock

Checkout this beautiful strand of African sandcast. The process of making these beads is unique to Africa and has been used for over 1000 years. Pu...

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$8.00 - $8.00
$8.00
$8.00
$8.00 - $8.00
$8.00
Turquoise-Style Ghana Glass Beads (25x10mm) - The Bead Chest
$14.00 - $14.00
$14.00
$14.00
$14.00 - $14.00
$14.00

Turquoise-Style Ghana Glass Beads (25x10mm)

in stock

Admire these beautiful glass beads from Ghana designed to imitate authentic turquoise gemstone. These cylindrical beads are rich in detail and text...

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$14.00 - $14.00
$14.00
$14.00
$14.00 - $14.00
$14.00
Natural African Shell Shard Beads - The Bead Chest
$32.00 - $32.00
$32.00
$32.00
$32.00 - $32.00
$32.00

Natural African Shell Shard Beads

Only 6 left!

Take a look at these superb Shell Shard Beads. We love the rough and rustic feel of these natural shell beads. Each piece is made from a well-worn ...

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$32.00 - $32.00
$32.00
$32.00
$32.00 - $32.00
$32.00
Old Mali Stone Beads (Dark) - The Bead Chest
Sold out
$39.00 - $39.00
$39.00
$39.00
$39.00 - $39.00
$39.00

Old Mali Stone Beads (Dark)

Out of stock

Mali 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 is 34" long...

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$39.00 - $39.00
$39.00
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$39.00 - $39.00
$39.00
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Coral-Style Ghana Glass Beads (25x10mm) - The Bead Chest
Sold out
$14.00 - $14.00
$14.00
$14.00
$14.00 - $14.00
$14.00

Coral-Style Ghana Glass Beads (25x10mm)

Out of stock

Admire these beautiful glass beads from Ghana designed to imitate authentic coral. These cylindrical beads are rich in detail and texture. Each bea...

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$14.00 - $14.00
$14.00
$14.00
$14.00 - $14.00
$14.00
Sold out
Antique Yellow Spiral Venetian Trade Beads (8mm) - The Bead Chest
Sold out
$79.00 - $79.00
$79.00
$79.00
$79.00 - $79.00
$79.00

Antique Yellow Spiral Venetian Trade Beads (8mm)

Out of stock

Commonly referred to as "African trade beads", these beautiful glass beads are of Venetian origin. Beads such as these are said to have been made i...

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$79.00 - $79.00
$79.00
$79.00
$79.00 - $79.00
$79.00
Sold out
Antique Black Venetian Trade Beads - The Bead Chest
Sold out
$169.00 - $169.00
$169.00
$169.00
$169.00 - $169.00
$169.00

Antique Black Venetian Trade Beads

Out of stock

Old Trade beads such as these are as beautiful in their design as they are exceptional in their craftsmanship. Venetian glass beads were known for ...

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$169.00 - $169.00
$169.00
$169.00
$169.00 - $169.00
$169.00
Sold out
Black Granite-Style Ghana Glass Beads (25x10mm) - The Bead Chest
Sold out
$14.00 - $14.00
$14.00
$14.00
$14.00 - $14.00
$14.00

Black Granite-Style Ghana Glass Beads (25x10mm)

Out of stock

Admire these beautiful glass beads from Ghana designed to imitate authentic granite stone. These cylindrical beads are rich in detail and texture. ...

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$14.00 - $14.00
$14.00
$14.00
$14.00 - $14.00
$14.00
Sold out