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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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Blue & White Matte Chevron Beads (5mm) - The Bead Chest Sold out
$10.00 - $10.00
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$10.00

Blue & White Matte Chevron Beads (5mm)

Out of stock

This exceptional strand of ghana chevron beads is matte in finish and patterned with blue and white stripes. These beads are superb to use as space...

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$10.00 - $10.00
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Cylindrical Bauxite Beads (30x12mm) - The Bead Chest
$36.00 - $36.00
$36.00
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$36.00 - $36.00
$36.00

Cylinder Bauxite Beads (30x12mm)

Only 7 left!

Bauxite is a type of aluminum ore. All African bauxite beads are hand made and drilled, making these beads very labor demanding. Bauxite beads like...

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$36.00 - $36.00
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$17.50 - $17.50
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Brown Swirl Recycled Glass Beads (18mm)

Only 10 left!

These great beads are made by the Krobo People of Ghana, Africa. Powder glass beads are made by crushing glass to a fine powder and heating it so t...

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$17.50 - $17.50
$17.50
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$17.50 - $17.50
$17.50
Natural West African Shell Beads (Honey) - The Bead Chest Save 31% Save %
$65.00
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$45.00
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$45.00

Natural West African Shell Beads (Honey)

Only 6 left!

From the shores of West Africa, these great shell beads have a timeless and simple beauty. The natural matte finish of these shells gives them a ru...

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$65.00
$65.00 - $65.00
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$45.00
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Yellow Sandcast Cylinder Beads - The Bead Chest
$8.00 - $8.00
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Yellow Sandcast Cylinder Beads

Only 9 left!

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

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$8.00 - $8.00
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Plum Purple Vinyl Phono Record Beads (8mm) - The Bead Chest
$12.00 - $12.00
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$12.00

Plum Purple Vinyl Phono Record Beads (8mm)

in 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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$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00
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$12.00 - $12.00
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Purple Swirl Recycled Glass Beads (11mm) - The Bead Chest
$10.00 - $10.00
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$10.00

Purple Swirl Recycled Glass Beads (11mm)

Only 1 left!

Recycled glass beads are a type of indigenously produced African bead from Ghana West Africa. These beautiful green color recycled beads are made u...

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$10.00 - $10.00
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$8.00
$8.00 - $8.00
$8.00
$6.75
$6.75 - $6.75
$6.75

Turquoise Blue Ghana Glass Beads (2 Strands)

Out of stock

Two strands of turquoise color small glass beads from Africa. Each bead measures approximately 3mm in length by 4mm in diameter. Some variation in ...

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$8.00
$8.00 - $8.00
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$6.75
$6.75 - $6.75
$6.75
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Super Jumbo Rose Recycled Glass Beads (32mm) - The Bead Chest
Sold out
$65.00 - $65.00
$65.00
$65.00
$65.00 - $65.00
$65.00

Super Jumbo Rose Recycled Glass Beads (32mm)

Out of stock

Take a look at this exceptionally large strand of jumbo-sized rose color recycled glass beads. Large beads such as these are hard to find and even ...

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$65.00 - $65.00
$65.00
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$65.00 - $65.00
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Sold out
Super Jumbo Blue Swirl Recycled Glass Beads (34mm) - The Bead Chest
$65.00 - $65.00
$65.00
$65.00
$65.00 - $65.00
$65.00

Super Jumbo Blue Swirl Recycled Glass Beads (34mm)

in stock

Take a look at this exceptionally large strand of jumbo-sized blue swirl recycled glass beads. Large beads such as these are hard to find and even ...

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$65.00 - $65.00
$65.00
$65.00
$65.00 - $65.00
$65.00
Dark Green Swirl Recycled Glass Beads (18mm) - The Bead Chest
$17.50 - $17.50
$17.50
$17.50
$17.50 - $17.50
$17.50

Dark Green Swirl Recycled Glass Beads (18mm)

in stock

Recycled glass beads are a type of indigenously produced African bead from Ghana West Africa. These beautiful green color recycled beads are made u...

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$17.50 - $17.50
$17.50
$17.50
$17.50 - $17.50
$17.50
Purple Vinyl Phono Record Beads (8mm) - The Bead Chest
Sold out
$12.00
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$12.00
$3.99
$3.99 - $3.99
$3.99

Purple Vinyl Phono Record Beads (8mm)

Out of stock

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

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$12.00
$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00
$3.99
$3.99 - $3.99
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Ivory Coast Style Wound Round Brass Beads (11mm) - The Bead Chest
Sold out
$22.50 - $22.50
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$22.50

Ivory Coast Style Wound Round Brass Beads (11mm)

Out of stock

Take a look at these round-shaped Ivory Coast Brass Trade Beads from Africa. Each bead is made individually through the "Lost Wax process" techniqu...

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$22.50 - $22.50
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Forest Green Vinyl Phono Record Beads (4mm) - The Bead Chest
$7.00 - $7.00
$7.00
$7.00
$7.00 - $7.00
$7.00

Forest Green Vinyl Phono Record Beads (4mm)

in 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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$7.00 - $7.00
$7.00
$7.00
$7.00 - $7.00
$7.00
Forest Green Recycled Glass Beads (18mm) - The Bead Chest
$16.50 - $16.50
$16.50
$16.50
$16.50 - $16.50
$16.50

Forest Green Recycled Glass Beads (18mm)

in stock

These great beads are made by the Krobo People of Ghana, Africa. Powder glass beads are made by crushing glass to a fine powder and heating it so t...

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$16.50 - $16.50
$16.50
$16.50
$16.50 - $16.50
$16.50
Super Jumbo Rose Bicone Recycled Glass Beads (34mm) - The Bead Chest
Sold out
$45.00 - $45.00
$45.00
$45.00
$45.00 - $45.00
$45.00

Super Jumbo Rose Bicone Recycled Glass Beads (34mm)

Out of stock

Add a truly unique bead strand to your design kit with these striking Jumbo Rose Bicone Recycle Glass Beads. Large handmade beads like make for an ...

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$45.00 - $45.00
$45.00
$45.00
$45.00 - $45.00
$45.00
Sold out
$16.50 - $16.50
$16.50
$16.50
$16.50 - $16.50
$16.50

Earth Swirl Recycled Glass Beads (18mm)

Only 9 left!

Krobo tribes-people are world-reknown for the beautiful recycled glass beads they create using a process developed by their forebears. Interestingl...

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$16.50 - $16.50
$16.50
$16.50
$16.50 - $16.50
$16.50
Yellow White Heart Beads (6mm) - The Bead Chest
Sold out
$10.00 - $10.00
$10.00
$10.00
$10.00 - $10.00
$10.00

Yellow White Heart Beads (6mm)

Out of stock

Checkout this beautiful strand of translucent yellow white hearts! The strand measures approximately 24", with beads measuring about 5-6 mm in len...

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$10.00 - $10.00
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Dark Grey Opaque Recycled Glass Beads (9mm) - The Bead Chest
$9.00 - $9.00
$9.00
$9.00
$9.00 - $9.00
$9.00

Dark Grey Opaque Recycled Glass Beads (9mm)

in stock

These beautiful recycled glass beads are handmade by artisans in the West African country of Ghana. Each bead is individually handcrafted through a...

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$9.00 - $9.00
$9.00
$9.00
$9.00 - $9.00
$9.00
Light Blue Kente Krobo Beads (14mm) - The Bead Chest
$14.00 - $14.00
$14.00
$14.00
$14.00 - $14.00
$14.00

Light Blue Kente Krobo Beads (14mm)

in stock

A beautiful strand of powder glass African beads, made by the people of Krobo Mountain in Ghana, West Africa. Many designs of Krobo beads are patte...

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$14.00 - $14.00
$14.00
$14.00
$14.00 - $14.00
$14.00
Pistachio Green Vinyl Phono Record Beads (8mm) - The Bead Chest
$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00
$12.00
$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00

Pistachio Green Vinyl Phono Record Beads (8mm)

in 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...

View full details
$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00
$12.00
$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00
Super Jumbo Blue Recycled Glass Beads (34mm) - The Bead Chest
Save 9% Save %
$65.00
$65.00 - $65.00
$65.00
$59.00
$59.00 - $59.00
$59.00

Super Jumbo Blue Recycled Glass Beads (34mm)

in stock

Take a look at this exceptionally large strand of jumbo-sized blue recycled glass beads. Large beads such as these are hard to find and even harder...

View full details
$65.00
$65.00 - $65.00
$65.00
$59.00
$59.00 - $59.00
$59.00
Save 9% Save %
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
Lime Green Mini-Disk Sandcast Beads - The Bead Chest
$8.00 - $8.00
$8.00
$8.00
$8.00 - $8.00
$8.00

Lime Green Mini-Disk Sandcast Beads

in stock

Checkout this beautiful strand of green color Ghana glass disk beads. The process of making these beads is unique to Africa and has been used for o...

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$8.00 - $8.00
$8.00
$8.00
$8.00 - $8.00
$8.00