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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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Dark Brown Recycled Glass Beads (18mm) - The Bead Chest
$16.50 - $16.50
$16.50
$16.50
$16.50 - $16.50
$16.50

Dark Brown 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
$16.50 - $16.50
$16.50
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$16.50 - $16.50
$16.50

Multicolor 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
Sunflower Yellow Mini-Disk Sandcast Beads - The Bead Chest
$8.00 - $8.00
$8.00
$8.00
$8.00 - $8.00
$8.00

Sunflower Yellow Mini-Disk Sandcast Beads

Only 1 left!

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

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$8.00 - $8.00
$8.00
$8.00
$8.00 - $8.00
$8.00
Neon Pink Vinyl Phono Record Beads (8mm) - The Bead Chest Sold out
$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00
$12.00
$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00

Neon Pink 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
$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00
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Pastel Yellow Opaque Recycled Glass Beads (11mm) - The Bead Chest
Sold out
$9.00 - $9.00
$9.00
$9.00
$9.00 - $9.00
$9.00

Pastel Yellow Opaque Recycled Glass Beads (11mm)

Out of 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
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Spring Medley Ashanti Glass Saucer Beads - The Bead Chest
Sold out
$15.00
$15.00 - $15.00
$15.00
$12.50
$12.50 - $12.50
$12.50

Spring Medley Ashanti Glass Saucer Beads

Out of stock

Checkout this beautiful strand of colorful Ashanti glass saucer beads. Get multiple colors for the price of one! The process of making these beads ...

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$15.00
$15.00 - $15.00
$15.00
$12.50
$12.50 - $12.50
$12.50
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Jumbo Clear Aqua Rondelle Recycled Glass Beads (20mm) - The Bead Chest
Save 14% Save %
$29.00
$29.00 - $29.00
$29.00
$25.00
$25.00 - $25.00
$25.00

Jumbo Clear Aqua Rondelle Recycled Glass Beads (20mm)

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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$29.00
$29.00 - $29.00
$29.00
$25.00
$25.00 - $25.00
$25.00
Save 14% Save %
Blue Vinyl Phono Record Beads (14mm) - The Bead Chest
Save 13% Save %
$16.00
$16.00 - $16.00
$16.00
$14.00
$14.00 - $14.00
$14.00

Blue Vinyl Phono Record Beads (14mm)

in stock

Add depth and texture to your custom jewelry design and home decor projects with these amazing Blue Vinyl Beads! Coming to us all the way from Ghan...

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$16.00
$16.00 - $16.00
$16.00
$14.00
$14.00 - $14.00
$14.00
Save 13% Save %
Groundhog Grey Swirl Recycled Glass Beads (18mm) - The Bead Chest
$17.50 - $17.50
$17.50
$17.50
$17.50 - $17.50
$17.50

Groundhog Grey Swirl Recycled Glass Beads (18mm)

Only 3 left!

These great Groundhog Grey Swirl Recycled Glass Beads were handmade in Ghana, Africa. Artisan beads like this are perfect to use in creative interi...

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$17.50 - $17.50
$17.50
$17.50
$17.50 - $17.50
$17.50
Blue & White Venetian Watermelon Chevron Beads (14x7mm) - The Bead Chest
Sold out
$36.00 - $36.00
$36.00
$36.00
$36.00 - $36.00
$36.00

Blue & White Venetian Watermelon Chevron Beads (14x7mm)

Out of stock

Add an impactful pop of color to your original jewelry designs with these Blue and White Venetian Watermelon Chevron Beads! Glass Chevron Venetian ...

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$36.00 - $36.00
$36.00
$36.00
$36.00 - $36.00
$36.00
Sold out
Weaved Brass Filigree Globe Beads (17mm) - The Bead Chest
Sold out
$22.50 - $22.50
$22.50
$22.50
$22.50 - $22.50
$22.50

Weaved Brass Filigree Globe Beads (17mm)

Out of stock

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

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$22.50 - $22.50
$22.50
$22.50
$22.50 - $22.50
$22.50
Sold out
Amber Black Swirl Recycled Glass Beads (11mm) - The Bead Chest
$10.00 - $10.00
$10.00
$10.00
$10.00 - $10.00
$10.00

Amber Black Swirl Recycled Glass Beads (11mm)

Only 1 left!

From the scenic villages of Ghana, these stunning artisan Amber Black Swirl Recycled Glass beads are made by hand by talented craftsmen. Beads like...

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$10.00 - $10.00
$10.00
$10.00
$10.00 - $10.00
$10.00
Blue Green Swirl Recycled Glass Beads (18mm) - The Bead Chest
Sold out
$16.50 - $16.50
$16.50
$16.50
$16.50 - $16.50
$16.50

Blue Green Swirl Recycled Glass Beads (18mm)

Out of 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
Sold out
Asparagus Green Recycled Glass Beads (14mm) - The Bead Chest
Sold out
$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00
$12.00
$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00

Asparagus Green Recycled Glass Beads (14mm)

Out of 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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$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00
$12.00
$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00
Sold out
Coral Red Sandcast Beads - The Bead Chest
Sold out
$14.00 - $14.00
$14.00
$14.00
$14.00 - $14.00
$14.00

Coral Red Sandcast Beads

Out of stock

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

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$14.00 - $14.00
$14.00
$14.00
$14.00 - $14.00
$14.00
Sold out
White Sandcast Cylinder Beads - The Bead Chest
$8.00 - $8.00
$8.00
$8.00
$8.00 - $8.00
$8.00

White Sandcast Cylinder Beads

in stock

Checkout this beautiful strand of white sandcast beads from Ghana, West Africa. The process of making these beads is unique to Africa and has been ...

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$8.00 - $8.00
$8.00
$8.00
$8.00 - $8.00
$8.00
Faceted Russian Blue Glass Beads (7mm) - The Bead Chest
Sold out
$34.00 - $34.00
$34.00
$34.00
$34.00 - $34.00
$34.00

Faceted Russian Blue Glass Beads (7mm)

Out of stock

These antique glass beads are traditionally referred to as "Russian Blues." Each light blue bead has five faceted sides, and measures approximately...

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$34.00 - $34.00
$34.00
$34.00
$34.00 - $34.00
$34.00
Sold out
Jumbo Fused Rondelle Recycled Glass Beads (20mm) - The Bead Chest
Sold out
$23.00 - $23.00
$23.00
$23.00
$23.00 - $23.00
$23.00

Jumbo Fused Rondelle Recycled Glass Beads (20mm)

Out of stock

This uniquely patterned strand of rondelle beads is made using traditional methods used to create powder glass beads. The procedure for making the ...

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$23.00 - $23.00
$23.00
$23.00
$23.00 - $23.00
$23.00
Sold out
Jumbo Black Bicone Recycled Glass Beads (25mm) - The Bead Chest
$35.00 - $35.00
$35.00
$35.00
$35.00 - $35.00
$35.00

Jumbo Black Bicone Recycled Glass Beads (25mm)

Only 10 left!

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
Green & Yellow Chevron Beads (6mm) - The Bead Chest
Sold out
$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00
$12.00
$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00

Green & Yellow Chevron Beads (6mm)

Out of stock

These green & yellow striped beads are made in a traditional African design, fashioned after original chevron beads. Each bead measures approxi...

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$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00
$12.00
$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00
Sold out
Cobalt Blue Tiny Sandcast Seed Beads - The Bead Chest
$6.50 - $6.50
$6.50
$6.50
$6.50 - $6.50
$6.50

Cobalt Blue Tiny Sandcast Seed Beads

in stock

Checkout this beautiful strand of blue sandcast beads from Ghana, West Africa. Beads such as these are often worn as traditional waist beads. The p...

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$6.50 - $6.50
$6.50
$6.50
$6.50 - $6.50
$6.50
Jumbo Teal 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 Teal Bicone Recycled Glass Beads (25mm)

Out of stock

Take a look at these great Jumbo Teal Bicone Recycled Glass Beads. Oversized beads like this are perfect to use when decorating around the house. T...

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$35.00 - $35.00
$35.00
$35.00
$35.00 - $35.00
$35.00
Sold out
Vintage Red Phono Record Beads (15mm) - The Bead Chest
Sold out
$21.00 - $21.00
$21.00
$21.00
$21.00 - $21.00
$21.00

Vintage Red Phono Record Beads (15mm)

Out of stock

Take a look at this nice strand of beautiful beads made from Phono Records. Strands measure between 29" - 34" with beads measuring 14-15mm in diame...

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$21.00 - $21.00
$21.00
$21.00
$21.00 - $21.00
$21.00
Sold out
Cobalt Blue Swirl Recycled Glass Beads (9mm) - The Bead Chest
Sold out
$9.00 - $9.00
$9.00
$9.00
$9.00 - $9.00
$9.00

Cobalt Blue Swirl Recycled Glass Beads (9mm)

Out of 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
Sold out