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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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Vintage Style Orange White Heart Beads (6mm) - The Bead Chest Sold out
$10.00 - $10.00
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$10.00

Vintage Style Orange White Heart Beads (6mm)

Out of stock

Checkout this beautiful strand of vintage-style orange white heart beads! White hearts derive their name from the inner core of opaque white glass ...

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$10.00 - $10.00
$10.00
$10.00
$10.00 - $10.00
$10.00
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Orange & White Ghana Chevron Beads (Small) - The Bead Chest Sold out
$9.80 - $9.80
$9.80
$9.80
$9.80 - $9.80
$9.80

Orange & White Ghana Chevron Beads (Small)

Out of stock

Checkout this nice strand of Glass Chevrons from Ghana, Africa. The strand measures 24" in length, with beads measuring approximately 4 mm in diame...

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$9.80 - $9.80
$9.80
$9.80
$9.80 - $9.80
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Jumbo Light Camouflauge Recycled Glass Beads (25mm) - The Bead Chest Sold out
$27.00 - $27.00
$27.00
$27.00
$27.00 - $27.00
$27.00

Jumbo Light Camouflauge Recycled Glass Beads (25mm)

Out of stock

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

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$27.00 - $27.00
$27.00
$27.00
$27.00 - $27.00
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Antique Matching Venetian Millefiori Trade Beads - The Bead Chest Sold out
$135.00 - $135.00
$135.00
$135.00
$135.00 - $135.00
$135.00

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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$135.00 - $135.00
$135.00
$135.00
$135.00 - $135.00
$135.00
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Yellow Vintage Phono Vinyl Record Beads (9-12mm) - The Bead Chest
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$25.00 - $25.00
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$25.00 - $25.00
$25.00

Yellow Vintage Phono Vinyl Record Beads (9-12mm)

Out of stock

Take a look at this unusual yellow strand of African beads made from Phono Records. Each strand measures approximately 28-32" long with beads measu...

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$25.00 - $25.00
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$25.00 - $25.00
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Jumbo Blue, Green, Brown & White Bicone Recycled Glass Beads (25mm) - The Bead Chest
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$45.00
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$35.00
$35.00 - $35.00
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Jumbo Blue, Green, Brown & White Bicone Recycled Glass Beads (25mm)

Only 8 left!

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

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$45.00
$45.00 - $45.00
$45.00
$35.00
$35.00 - $35.00
$35.00
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Woven Bronze Ghana Filigree Beads (12mm) - The Bead Chest
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$22.50
$22.50 - $22.50
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$17.00
$17.00 - $17.00
$17.00

Woven Bronze Ghana Filigree Beads (12mm)

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. This ...

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$22.50
$22.50 - $22.50
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$17.00
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$17.00
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Super Jumbo Padre-Sized Cranberry White Heart Beads (9mm) - The Bead Chest
Sold out
$16.00 - $16.00
$16.00
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$16.00 - $16.00
$16.00

Super Jumbo Padre-Sized Cranberry White Heart Beads (9mm)

Out of stock

Checkout this beautiful strand of exceptionally large cranberry red white heart beads! White hearts derive their name from the inner core of opaque...

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$16.00 - $16.00
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Ivory Glass Disk Beads (6 Pack) - The Bead Chest
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$17.00 - $17.00
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$17.00

Ivory Glass Disk Beads

Out of stock

Take a look at these beautiful rondelle shaped glass disk beads! They will add a special touch to your beaded jewelry. Some strands may not have ra...

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$17.00 - $17.00
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Light Teal Ghana Glass Beads (4mm) - The Bead Chest
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$5.00 - $5.00
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$5.00

Light Teal Ghana Glass Beads (4mm)

Out of stock

One strand of blue color small glass beads from Ghana. Each bead measures approximately 3-4 x 4-5mm with strand length of 27". Some variation in in...

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$5.00 - $5.00
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Small Vintage Christmas Beads (Sunshine Medley) - The Bead Chest
$5.50 - $5.50
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Small Vintage Christmas Beads (Sunshine Medley)

in stock

Christmas beads comprise of a special blend of choice beads created in former Czechoslovakia for use in Africa. Also known as "African love beads,"...

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$5.50 - $5.50
$5.50
$5.50
$5.50 - $5.50
$5.50
Imperial Blue Antique Matching Venetian Millefiori Trade Beads - The Bead Chest
Sold out
$225.00 - $225.00
$225.00
$225.00
$225.00 - $225.00
$225.00

Imperial Blue 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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$225.00 - $225.00
$225.00
$225.00
$225.00 - $225.00
$225.00
Sold out
Rose Pink Round Krobo Eye Beads - The Bead Chest
Sold out
$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00
$12.00
$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00

Rose Pink Round Krobo Eye Beads

Out of 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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$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00
$12.00
$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00
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Vintage Black Phono Record Beads (14mm) - The Bead Chest
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$25.00 - $25.00
$25.00
$25.00
$25.00 - $25.00
$25.00

Vintage Black Phono Record Beads (14mm)

Out of stock

Take a look at this nice strand of African beads made from Phono Records. The strand measures approx. 26-30" long with beads measuring 14mm in diam...

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$25.00 - $25.00
$25.00
$25.00
$25.00 - $25.00
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Matte Yellow Green & Red Ghana Chevron Beads (7mm) - The Bead Chest
Sold out
$10.00 - $10.00
$10.00
$10.00
$10.00 - $10.00
$10.00

Matte Yellow Green & Red Ghana Chevron Beads (7mm)

Out of stock

This exceptional strand of yellow ghana chevron beads is matte in finish and patterned with red and green stripes. These beads are superb to use as...

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$10.00 - $10.00
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Weaved Bicone Brass Filigree Beads (34x15mm) - The Bead Chest
Sold out
$22.50 - $22.50
$22.50
$22.50
$22.50 - $22.50
$22.50

Weaved Bicone Brass Filigree Beads (34x15mm)

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
$22.50 - $22.50
$22.50
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Weaved Hourglass Brass Filigree Beads (25x14mm) - The Bead Chest
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$22.50 - $22.50
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$22.50

Weaved Hourglass Brass Filigree Beads (25x14mm)

Out of stock

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

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$22.50 - $22.50
$22.50
$22.50
$22.50 - $22.50
$22.50
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Ocean Blue Sandcast Cylinder Beads - The Bead Chest
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$8.00 - $8.00
$8.00
$8.00
$8.00 - $8.00
$8.00

Ocean Blue Sandcast Cylinder Beads

Out of 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. P...

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$8.00 - $8.00
$8.00
$8.00
$8.00 - $8.00
$8.00
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Cameroon-Style Brass Filigree Oval Beads (26x18mm) - The Bead Chest
Sold out
$22.50 - $22.50
$22.50
$22.50
$22.50 - $22.50
$22.50

Cameroon-Style Brass Filigree Oval Beads (26x18mm)

Out of stock

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

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$22.50 - $22.50
$22.50
$22.50
$22.50 - $22.50
$22.50
Sold out
Earth Medley Vinyl Phono Record Beads (4mm) - The Bead Chest
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$7.00 - $7.00
$7.00
$7.00
$7.00 - $7.00
$7.00

Earth Medley Vinyl Phono Record Beads (4mm)

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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$7.00 - $7.00
$7.00
$7.00
$7.00 - $7.00
$7.00
Sold out
Medium Vintage Christmas Beads (Sunshine Medley) - The Bead Chest
Sold out
$6.25 - $6.25
$6.25
$6.25
$6.25 - $6.25
$6.25

Medium Vintage Christmas Beads (Sunshine Medley)

Out of stock

Christmas beads comprise of a special blend of choice beads created in former Czechoslovakia for use in Africa. Also known as "African love beads,"...

View full details
$6.25 - $6.25
$6.25
$6.25
$6.25 - $6.25
$6.25
Sold out
Vintage Pink Phono Record Vinyl Beads (4mm) - The Bead Chest
Sold out
$15.00 - $15.00
$15.00
$15.00
$15.00 - $15.00
$15.00

Vintage Pink Phono Record Vinyl Beads (4mm)

Out of stock

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

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$15.00 - $15.00
$15.00
$15.00
$15.00 - $15.00
$15.00
Sold out
Round Star Brass Filigree Beads (20mm) - The Bead Chest
Sold out
$22.50 - $22.50
$22.50
$22.50
$22.50 - $22.50
$22.50

Round Star Brass Filigree Beads (20mm)

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...

View full details
$22.50 - $22.50
$22.50
$22.50
$22.50 - $22.50
$22.50
Sold out
White Vinyl Phono Record Beads (5mm) - The Bead Chest
Sold out
$11.00 - $11.00
$11.00
$11.00
$11.00 - $11.00
$11.00

White Vinyl Phono Record Beads (5mm)

Out of stock

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

View full details
$11.00 - $11.00
$11.00
$11.00
$11.00 - $11.00
$11.00
Sold out