Skip to content
Free Shipping on US Orders $99 and Above!
Free Shipping on US Orders $99+!
About Us Wholesale Reviews Reorder Wishlist

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.

Filters

$
$
Dark Grey Ashanti Glass Saucer Beads (14mm) - The Bead Chest
$12.50 - $12.50
$12.50
$12.50
$12.50 - $12.50
$12.50

Dark Grey Ashanti Glass Saucer Beads (14mm)

in stock

Checkout this beautiful strand of grey Ashanti glass saucer beads. The process of making these beads is unique to Africa and has been used for over...

View full details
$12.50 - $12.50
$12.50
$12.50
$12.50 - $12.50
$12.50
Yellow Phono Record Vinyl Beads (3mm) - The Bead Chest
$6.00 - $6.00
$6.00
$6.00
$6.00 - $6.00
$6.00

Yellow Phono Record Vinyl Beads (3mm)

in stock

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

View full details
$6.00 - $6.00
$6.00
$6.00
$6.00 - $6.00
$6.00
Papaya Orange Recycled Glass Beads (14mm) - The Bead Chest Sold out
$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00
$12.00
$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00

Papaya Orange Recycled Glass Beads (14mm)

Out of stock

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

View full details
$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00
$12.00
$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00
Sold out
Clear Aqua Round Java Recycled Glass Beads (11mm) - The Bead Chest
$10.00 - $10.00
$10.00
$10.00
$10.00 - $10.00
$10.00

Clear Aqua Round Java Recycled Glass Beads (11mm)

in stock

Beautiful strand of clear aqua recycled glass beads from the island of Java. These frosted beads have been fashioned in a round shape and come in a...

View full details
$10.00 - $10.00
$10.00
$10.00
$10.00 - $10.00
$10.00
Plum Purple Sandcast Seed Beads - The Bead Chest
Sold out
$6.50 - $6.50
$6.50
$6.50
$6.50 - $6.50
$6.50

Plum Purple Sandcast Seed Beads

Out of stock

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

View full details
$6.50 - $6.50
$6.50
$6.50
$6.50 - $6.50
$6.50
Sold out
Sky Blue Ghana Glass Seed Beads (3mm) - The Bead Chest
Sold out
$4.00 - $4.00
$4.00
$4.00
$4.00 - $4.00
$4.00

Sky Blue Ghana Glass Seed Beads (3mm)

Out of stock

This strand of sky blue seed beads comes from Ghana. Each bead measures approximately 2 x 3mm with strand length of 26". Some variation in individu...

View full details
$4.00 - $4.00
$4.00
$4.00
$4.00 - $4.00
$4.00
Sold out
Azul Recycled Glass Beads (14mm) - The Bead Chest
$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00
$12.00
$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00

Azul Recycled Glass Beads (14mm)

in stock

Recycled glass beads are a type of indigenously produced African bead from Ghana West Africa. These beautiful light azul color recycled beads are m...

View full details
$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00
$12.00
$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00
Light Grey Vinyl Phono Record Beads (4mm) - The Bead Chest
Save 60% Save %
$7.00
$7.00 - $7.00
$7.00
$2.80
$2.80 - $2.80
$2.80

Light Grey Vinyl Phono Record Beads (4mm)

in stock

These unique vinyl beads come in a hard-to-find light grey color. Often referred to as vulcanite beads, or African waist beads, these fun beads mea...

View full details
$7.00
$7.00 - $7.00
$7.00
$2.80
$2.80 - $2.80
$2.80
Save 60% Save %
Red Vinyl Phono Record Beads (6mm) - The Bead Chest
$9.00 - $9.00
$9.00
$9.00
$9.00 - $9.00
$9.00

Red Vinyl Phono Record Beads (6mm)

in stock

Take a look at this unusual strand of RED color African Phono Record beads. The strand measures a whopping 30-34" long with beads measuring 6mm in ...

View full details
$9.00 - $9.00
$9.00
$9.00
$9.00 - $9.00
$9.00
Amber Color Recycled Glass Beads (14mm) - The Bead Chest
Sold out
$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00
$12.00
$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00

Amber Color Recycled Glass Beads (14mm)

More on the way!

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...

View full details
$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00
$12.00
$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00
Sold out
Bright Red Recycled Glass Beads (14mm) - The Bead Chest
Sold out
$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00
$12.00
$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00

Bright Red Recycled Glass Beads (14mm)

Out of stock

Recycled glass beads are a type of indigenously produced African bead from Ghana West Africa. These beautiful red recycled beads are made using an ...

View full details
$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00
$12.00
$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00
Sold out
Sold out
$12.50 - $12.50
$12.50
$12.50
$12.50 - $12.50
$12.50

Cobalt Blue Fused Recycled Glass Beads (14mm)

Out of stock

Here we have a phenomenal strand of beautiful fused glass beads from Ghana. These beads are made by recycling previously used beads. The beads are ...

View full details
$12.50 - $12.50
$12.50
$12.50
$12.50 - $12.50
$12.50
Sold out
Baby Blue Vinyl Phono Record Beads (8mm) - The Bead Chest
$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00
$12.00
$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00

Baby Blue Vinyl Phono Record Beads (8mm)

in stock

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

View full details
$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00
$12.00
$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00
Crimson Red Fused Recycled Glass Beads (14mm) - The Bead Chest
Sold out
$12.50 - $12.50
$12.50
$12.50
$12.50 - $12.50
$12.50

Crimson Red Fused Recycled Glass Beads (14mm)

Out of stock

Here we have a phenomenal strand of beautiful fused glass beads from Ghana. These beads are made by recycling previously used beads. The beads are ...

View full details
$12.50 - $12.50
$12.50
$12.50
$12.50 - $12.50
$12.50
Sold out
Jumbo Amber Recycled Glass Beads (23mm) - The Bead Chest
Sold out
$27.00 - $27.00
$27.00
$27.00
$27.00 - $27.00
$27.00

Jumbo Amber Recycled Glass Beads (23mm)

Out of stock

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

View full details
$27.00 - $27.00
$27.00
$27.00
$27.00 - $27.00
$27.00
Sold out
$8.00 - $8.00
$8.00
$8.00
$8.00 - $8.00
$8.00

Crystal Clear Ghana Glass Beads (2 Strands)

in stock

Two strands of clear small glass beads from Ghana. Each bead measures approximately 4mm diameter with strand length of 26". Some variation in indiv...

View full details
$8.00 - $8.00
$8.00
$8.00
$8.00 - $8.00
$8.00
Light Blue Green Swirl Recycled Glass Beads (11mm) - The Bead Chest
$10.00 - $10.00
$10.00
$10.00
$10.00 - $10.00
$10.00

Light Blue Green Swirl Recycled Glass Beads (11mm)

in stock

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

View full details
$10.00 - $10.00
$10.00
$10.00
$10.00 - $10.00
$10.00
Jumbo Baby Blue Recycled Glass Beads (23mm) - The Bead Chest
Sold out
$32.00 - $32.00
$32.00
$32.00
$32.00 - $32.00
$32.00

Jumbo Baby Blue Recycled Glass Beads (23mm)

Out of 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
$32.00 - $32.00
$32.00
$32.00
$32.00 - $32.00
$32.00
Sold out
Pistachio Green Vinyl Phono Record Beads (3mm) - The Bead Chest
$6.00 - $6.00
$6.00
$6.00
$6.00 - $6.00
$6.00

Pistachio Green Vinyl Phono Record Beads (3mm)

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
$6.00 - $6.00
$6.00
$6.00
$6.00 - $6.00
$6.00
Mocha Brown Recycled Glass Beads (11mm) - The Bead Chest
$10.00 - $10.00
$10.00
$10.00
$10.00 - $10.00
$10.00

Mocha Brown Recycled Glass Beads (11mm)

in stock

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

View full details
$10.00 - $10.00
$10.00
$10.00
$10.00 - $10.00
$10.00
Forest Green Recycled Glass Beads (11mm) - The Bead Chest
Sold out
$10.00 - $10.00
$10.00
$10.00
$10.00 - $10.00
$10.00

Forest Green Recycled Glass Beads (11mm)

Out of stock

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

View full details
$10.00 - $10.00
$10.00
$10.00
$10.00 - $10.00
$10.00
Sold out
Clear Vinyl Phono Record Beads (3mm) - The Bead Chest
$6.00 - $6.00
$6.00
$6.00
$6.00 - $6.00
$6.00

Clear Vinyl Phono Record Beads (3mm)

in stock

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

View full details
$6.00 - $6.00
$6.00
$6.00
$6.00 - $6.00
$6.00
Amber Orange Sandcast Seed Beads - The Bead Chest
$6.50 - $6.50
$6.50
$6.50
$6.50 - $6.50
$6.50

Amber Orange Sandcast Seed Beads

in stock

Checkout this beautiful strand of orange color sandcast beads from Ghana, West Africa. Beads such as these are often worn as traditional waist bead...

View full details
$6.50 - $6.50
$6.50
$6.50
$6.50 - $6.50
$6.50
Sapphire Blue Vinyl Phono Record Beads (6mm) - The Bead Chest
$9.00 - $9.00
$9.00
$9.00
$9.00 - $9.00
$9.00

Sapphire Blue Vinyl Phono Record Beads (6mm)

in 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...

View full details
$9.00 - $9.00
$9.00
$9.00
$9.00 - $9.00
$9.00