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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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Yellow Red & Blue Venetian Watermelon Chevron Beads - The Bead Chest Sold out
$39.00 - $39.00
$39.00
$39.00
$39.00 - $39.00
$39.00

Yellow Red & Blue Venetian Watermelon Chevron Beads

Out of stock

Checkout these beautiful Venetian trade beads, known as watermelon chevron. Similar to the commonly known Chevrons, they display a colorful set of ...

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$39.00 - $39.00
$39.00
$39.00
$39.00 - $39.00
$39.00
Sold out
Yellow & Blue Striped Venetian Watermelon Chevron Beads - The Bead Chest Sold out
$24.50 - $24.50
$24.50
$24.50
$24.50 - $24.50
$24.50

Yellow & Blue Striped Venetian Watermelon Chevron Beads

Out of stock

Checkout these beautiful Venetian trade beads, known as watermelon chevron. Similar to the commonly known Chevrons, they display a colorful set of ...

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$24.50 - $24.50
$24.50
$24.50
$24.50 - $24.50
$24.50
Sold out
Jumbo Organic Medley Bicone Recycled Glass Beads (25mm) - The Bead Chest Sold out
$35.00 - $35.00
$35.00
$35.00
$35.00 - $35.00
$35.00

Jumbo Organic Medley Bicone Recycled Glass Beads (25mm)

Out of stock

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

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$35.00 - $35.00
$35.00
$35.00
$35.00 - $35.00
$35.00
Sold out
Peach Vintage Saucer Prosser Button Beads (6mm) - The Bead Chest Sold out
$31.00 - $31.00
$31.00
$31.00
$31.00 - $31.00
$31.00

Peach Vintage Saucer Prosser Button Beads (6mm)

Out of stock

Take a look at these original, vintage button beads made using the famous "Prosser" technique. Originally from Czechoslovakia, these orange glass s...

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$31.00 - $31.00
$31.00
$31.00
$31.00 - $31.00
$31.00
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Ivory Coast Style Elongated Bicone Brass Filigree Beads (26 x 15mm) - The Bead Chest
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$22.50 - $22.50
$22.50
$22.50
$22.50 - $22.50
$22.50

Ivory Coast Style Elongated Bicone Brass Filigree Beads (26 x 15mm)

Out of stock

Admire these amazing Elongated Bicone Brass Filigree Beads! Handcrafted beads like this are made in West Africa and are made using a classical arti...

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$22.50 - $22.50
$22.50
$22.50
$22.50 - $22.50
$22.50
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Green Brown Striped Watermelon Chevron Beads - The Bead Chest
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$36.00 - $36.00
$36.00
$36.00
$36.00 - $36.00
$36.00

Green Brown Striped Watermelon Chevron Beads

Out of stock

Checkout these beautiful chevron trade beads, known as watermelon chevron. Similar to the commonly known Chevrons, they display a colorful set of ...

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$36.00 - $36.00
$36.00
$36.00
$36.00 - $36.00
$36.00
Sold out
Blue Kaleidoscope Antique Matching Venetian Millefiori Trade Beads - The Bead Chest
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$249.00 - $249.00
$249.00
$249.00
$249.00 - $249.00
$249.00

Blue Kaleidoscope Antique Matching Venetian Millefiori Trade Beads

Out of stock

Take a look at this beautiful antique strand of Venetian Millefiori trade beads! Celebrated among the most distinctive of beads, the Millefiori has...

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$249.00 - $249.00
$249.00
$249.00
$249.00 - $249.00
$249.00
Sold out
Antique Black Venetian Trade Beads - The Bead Chest
Sold out
$179.00 - $179.00
$179.00
$179.00
$179.00 - $179.00
$179.00

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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$179.00 - $179.00
$179.00
$179.00
$179.00 - $179.00
$179.00
Sold out
Yellow-Striped Elongated Black Glass Beads (20x8mm) - The Bead Chest
$14.00 - $14.00
$14.00
$14.00
$14.00 - $14.00
$14.00

Yellow-Striped Elongated Black Glass Beads (20x8mm)

in stock

Take a look at these yellow-striped elongated black glass beads inspired by old trade beads. Each bead measures approximately 19-20 x 7-9mm with a ...

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$14.00 - $14.00
$14.00
$14.00
$14.00 - $14.00
$14.00
Super Jumbo Opaque Red Recycled Glass Beads (28mm) - The Bead Chest
Sold out
$65.00 - $65.00
$65.00
$65.00
$65.00 - $65.00
$65.00

Super Jumbo Opaque Red Recycled Glass Beads (28mm)

Out of stock

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

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$65.00 - $65.00
$65.00
$65.00
$65.00 - $65.00
$65.00
Sold out
Black Tribal Medley Antique Venetian Trade Beads - The Bead Chest
Sold out
$235.00 - $235.00
$235.00
$235.00
$235.00 - $235.00
$235.00

Black Tribal Medley Antique 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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$235.00 - $235.00
$235.00
$235.00
$235.00 - $235.00
$235.00
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
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Antique West African Round Venetian Skunk Eye Beads - The Bead Chest
Sold out
$375.00 - $375.00
$375.00
$375.00
$375.00 - $375.00
$375.00

Antique West African Round Venetian Skunk Eye 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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$375.00 - $375.00
$375.00
$375.00
$375.00 - $375.00
$375.00
Sold out
Elongated Bicone Brass Filigree Beads (44x13mm) - The Bead Chest
Sold out
$22.50
$22.50 - $22.50
$22.50
$18.00
$18.00 - $18.00
$18.00

Elongated Bicone Brass Filigree Beads (44x13mm)

Out of stock

Take a look at these bicone-shaped Ghana Brass Trade Beads from Africa. Each bead is made individually through the "Lost Wax process" technique. Th...

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$22.50
$22.50 - $22.50
$22.50
$18.00
$18.00 - $18.00
$18.00
Sold out
Antique Matching Round Venetian Millefiori Trade Beads - The Bead Chest
Sold out
$265.00 - $265.00
$265.00
$265.00
$265.00 - $265.00
$265.00

Antique Matching Round Venetian Millefiori Trade Beads

Out of stock

Take a look at this beautiful antique strand of Venetian Millefiori trade beads! Celebrated among the most distinctive of beads, the Millefiori has...

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$265.00 - $265.00
$265.00
$265.00
$265.00 - $265.00
$265.00
Sold out
Green Vintage Vinyl Phono Record Beads (15mm) - The Bead Chest
Sold out
$45.00 - $45.00
$45.00
$45.00
$45.00 - $45.00
$45.00

Green Vintage Vinyl Phono Record Beads (15mm)

Out of stock

Take a look at this exceptional strand of vintage vinyl beads. Said to be made from vulcanized rubber or recycled phonograph records, beads such as...

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$45.00 - $45.00
$45.00
$45.00
$45.00 - $45.00
$45.00
Sold out
Blue, Green, Yellow Striped Oval Venetian Trade Beads - The Bead Chest
Sold out
$159.00
$159.00 - $159.00
$159.00
$135.00
$135.00 - $135.00
$135.00

Blue, Green, Yellow Striped Oval Venetian Trade Beads

Out of stock

Admire this beautiful strand of antique Venetian trade beads! Venetian glass beads such as these were made throughout the 19th and 20th century pri...

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$159.00
$159.00 - $159.00
$159.00
$135.00
$135.00 - $135.00
$135.00
Sold out
Faceted Russian Blue Glass Trade Beads (9mm) - The Bead Chest
Sold out
$69.00 - $69.00
$69.00
$69.00
$69.00 - $69.00
$69.00

Faceted Russian Blue Glass Trade Beads (9mm)

Out of stock

Among the most celebrated of faceted beads, Russian Blues derive their romantic name from their involvement in the Russian fur trade of the Pacific...

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$69.00 - $69.00
$69.00
$69.00
$69.00 - $69.00
$69.00
Sold out
Antique Venetian King Beads (Long Strand) - The Bead Chest
Sold out
$379.00
$379.00 - $379.00
$379.00
$349.00
$349.00 - $349.00
$349.00

Antique Venetian King Beads (Long Strand)

Out of stock

Here we have a beautiful strand of authentic antique venetian King beads. Strands like this are hard to come across. They are handmade of the highe...

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$379.00
$379.00 - $379.00
$379.00
$349.00
$349.00 - $349.00
$349.00
Sold out
Green Flower Antique Matching Venetian Millefiori Trade Beads - The Bead Chest
Sold out
$179.00 - $179.00
$179.00
$179.00
$179.00 - $179.00
$179.00

Green Flower Antique Matching Venetian Millefiori Trade Beads

Out of stock

Take a look at this beautiful antique strand of Venetian Millefiori trade beads! Celebrated among the most distinctive of beads, the Millefiori has...

View full details
$179.00 - $179.00
$179.00
$179.00
$179.00 - $179.00
$179.00
Sold out
Green Prosser Button Beads (7mm) (Long Strand) - The Bead Chest
Sold out
$35.00 - $35.00
$35.00
$35.00
$35.00 - $35.00
$35.00

Green Prosser Button Beads (7mm) (Long Strand)

Out of stock

Sliced Prosser Beads, otherwise known as button beads, get their name from their unique shape. These beads originated in the former Czechoslovakia ...

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$35.00 - $35.00
$35.00
$35.00
$35.00 - $35.00
$35.00
Sold out
Green Flower Antique Round and Rectangle Venetian Millefiori Trade Beads - The Bead Chest
Sold out
$179.00 - $179.00
$179.00
$179.00
$179.00 - $179.00
$179.00

Green Flower Antique Round and Rectangle Venetian Millefiori Trade Beads

Out of stock

Take a look at this beautiful antique strand of Venetian Millefiori trade beads! Celebrated among the most distinctive of beads, the Millefiori has...

View full details
$179.00 - $179.00
$179.00
$179.00
$179.00 - $179.00
$179.00
Sold out
Antique Matching Venetian Millefiori Trade Beads - The Bead Chest
Sold out
$179.00 - $179.00
$179.00
$179.00
$179.00 - $179.00
$179.00

Antique Matching Venetian Millefiori Trade Beads

Out of stock

Take a look at this beautiful antique strand of Venetian Millefiori trade beads! Celebrated among the most distinctive of beads, the Millefiori has...

View full details
$179.00 - $179.00
$179.00
$179.00
$179.00 - $179.00
$179.00
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 ...

View full details
$169.00 - $169.00
$169.00
$169.00
$169.00 - $169.00
$169.00
Sold out