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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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Faceted Russian Blue Glass Trade Beads (10mm) - The Bead Chest Sold out
$85.00 - $85.00
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Faceted Russian Blue Glass Trade Beads (10mm)

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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$85.00 - $85.00
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Antique Matching Venetian Millefiori Trade Beads - The Bead Chest Sold out
$185.00 - $185.00
$185.00
$185.00
$185.00 - $185.00
$185.00

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...

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$185.00 - $185.00
$185.00
$185.00
$185.00 - $185.00
$185.00
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Super Jumbo Lime Green Bicone Recycled Glass Beads (35mm) - The Bead Chest
$49.00 - $49.00
$49.00
$49.00
$49.00 - $49.00
$49.00

Super Jumbo Lime Green Bicone Recycled Glass Beads (35mm)

Only 8 left!

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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$49.00 - $49.00
$49.00
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$49.00 - $49.00
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Pink Vintage Vinyl Phono Record Beads (13-15mm) - The Bead Chest Sold out
$45.00 - $45.00
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$45.00

Pink Vintage Vinyl Phono Record Beads (13-15mm)

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
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White Stripe Antique Matching Venetian Millefiori Trade Beads - The Bead Chest
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$185.00 - $185.00
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$185.00 - $185.00
$185.00

White Stripe 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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$185.00 - $185.00
$185.00
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$185.00 - $185.00
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Yellow Vintage Vinyl Phono Record Beads (15mm) - The Bead Chest
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$45.00 - $45.00
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Yellow 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
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Earth Medley Vinyl Phono Record Beads (14mm) - The Bead Chest
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$16.00
$16.00 - $16.00
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$14.00
$14.00 - $14.00
$14.00

Earth Medley Vinyl Phono Record Beads (14mm)

in stock

Examine this amazing strand of mixed African Vinyl Beads. Patterned in a vibrant combination of green, red and yellow tones these beads are ready t...

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$16.00
$16.00 - $16.00
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$14.00
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$14.00
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Black & Blue Antique Venetian Trade Beads - The Bead Chest
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$235.00 - $235.00
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$235.00 - $235.00
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Black & Blue 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
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West African Decorative Shell Beads - The Bead Chest
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$115.00
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$95.00
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West African Decorative Shell Beads

in stock

We are astounded by these beautiful Oversized Shell Beads. There are so many design possibilities with these Shell Beads. These beads would look gr...

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$115.00
$115.00 - $115.00
$115.00
$95.00
$95.00 - $95.00
$95.00
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Vintage Vinyl Phono Record Beads (14mm) - The Bead Chest
Sold out
$45.00 - $45.00
$45.00
$45.00
$45.00 - $45.00
$45.00

Vintage Vinyl Phono Record Beads (14mm)

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
Vintage Green Vinyl Phono Record Beads (10-12mm) - The Bead Chest
Sold out
$43.00 - $43.00
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Vintage Green Vinyl Phono Record Beads (10-12mm)

Out of stock

Take a look at these beautiful vintage beads made from phono records. Each strand measures approximately 28" long with beads measuring 10-12mm in d...

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$43.00 - $43.00
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Tiny Green White Heart Beads (2mm) - The Bead Chest
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$8.00 - $8.00
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Tiny Green White Heart Beads (2mm)

Out of stock

Checkout this beautiful strand of red color white heart seed beads! White hearts derive their name from the inner core of opaque white glass that i...

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$8.00 - $8.00
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Green Cylindrical Striped Venetian Watermelon Chevron Beads - The Bead Chest
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$39.00 - $39.00
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Green Cylindrical 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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$39.00 - $39.00
$39.00
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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
Vintage Brown Round Padre Beads - The Bead Chest
Sold out
$17.00 - $17.00
$17.00
$17.00
$17.00 - $17.00
$17.00

Vintage Brown Round Padre Beads

Out of stock

These brown padre beads are found in Ghana, West Africa. Originally produced in Europe with Czech glass, beads such as these were traded extensivel...

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$17.00 - $17.00
$17.00
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Woven Brass Filigree Elbow Beads (27x12mm) - The Bead Chest
Sold out
$24.50 - $24.50
$24.50
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$24.50 - $24.50
$24.50

Woven Brass Filigree Elbow Beads (27x12mm)

Out of stock

Take a look at these Brass "Elbow" trade beads from Africa. Each bead is made individually through the "Lost Wax process" technique. The strand is ...

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$24.50 - $24.50
$24.50
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$24.50 - $24.50
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Antique Venetian Sotro Trade Beads - The Bead Chest
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$325.00
$325.00 - $325.00
$325.00
$259.00
$259.00 - $259.00
$259.00

Antique Venetian Sotro Trade Beads (Long Strand)

Only 2 left!

These authentic antique trade beads were produced in Europe for the African Trade. This strand is composed of several different styles of glass bea...

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$325.00
$325.00 - $325.00
$325.00
$259.00
$259.00 - $259.00
$259.00
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Antique Venetian Rectangular Skunk Trade Beads - The Bead Chest
Sold out
$179.00 - $179.00
$179.00
$179.00
$179.00 - $179.00
$179.00

Antique Venetian Rectangular Skunk Trade Beads

Out of stock

Commonly referred to as "skunk beads", these beautiful African trade beads are of Venetian origin. More commonly found in a spherical shape, the re...

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$179.00 - $179.00
$179.00
$179.00
$179.00 - $179.00
$179.00
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Antique Venetian Green Stripe Trade Beads - The Bead Chest
Sold out
$89.00 - $89.00
$89.00
$89.00
$89.00 - $89.00
$89.00

Antique Venetian Green Stripe Trade Beads

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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$89.00 - $89.00
$89.00
$89.00
$89.00 - $89.00
$89.00
Sold out
Striped Watermelon Chevron Beads - The Bead Chest
Sold out
$26.00 - $26.00
$26.00
$26.00
$26.00 - $26.00
$26.00

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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$26.00 - $26.00
$26.00
$26.00
$26.00 - $26.00
$26.00
Sold out
Blue Dot Antique Matching Venetian Trade Beads - The Bead Chest
Sold out
$175.00 - $175.00
$175.00
$175.00
$175.00 - $175.00
$175.00

Blue Dot Antique Matching Venetian 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
$175.00 - $175.00
$175.00
$175.00
$175.00 - $175.00
$175.00
Sold out
Black Kente Krobo Beads (18mm) - The Bead Chest
$21.50 - $21.50
$21.50
$21.50
$21.50 - $21.50
$21.50

Black Kente Krobo Beads (18mm)

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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$21.50 - $21.50
$21.50
$21.50
$21.50 - $21.50
$21.50
Antique Turquoise Blue Hebron Kano Beads - The Bead Chest
Sold out
$249.00 - $249.00
$249.00
$249.00
$249.00 - $249.00
$249.00

Antique Turquoise Blue Hebron Kano Beads

Out of stock

Take a look at these amazing Turquoise color Hebron beads. Sometimes also referred to as "Kano Beads". They are said to have been made in Hebron ci...

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$249.00 - $249.00
$249.00
$249.00
$249.00 - $249.00
$249.00
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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...

View full details
$265.00 - $265.00
$265.00
$265.00
$265.00 - $265.00
$265.00
Sold out