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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 Blue & Red Vinyl Phono Record Beads (15mm) - The Bead Chest Sold out
$34.00 - $34.00
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$34.00 - $34.00
$34.00

Vintage Blue & Red Vinyl Phono Record Beads (15mm)

Out of stock

Take a look at this nice strand of beautiful beads made from Phono Records. This exceptional multicolored strand measures approximately 32" long wi...

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$34.00 - $34.00
$34.00
$34.00
$34.00 - $34.00
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Jumbo Purple Swirl Recycled Glass Beads (22mm) - The Bead Chest Sold out
$27.00 - $27.00
$27.00
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$27.00 - $27.00
$27.00

Jumbo Purple Swirl Recycled Glass Beads (22mm)

Out of stock

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

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$27.00 - $27.00
$27.00
$27.00
$27.00 - $27.00
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Vintage African Medley Vinyl Phono Record Beads (10-12mm) - The Bead Chest Sold out
$17.00 - $17.00
$17.00
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$17.00 - $17.00
$17.00

Vintage African Medley Vinyl Phono Record Beads (10-12mm)

Out of stock

Take a look at this nice strand of African beads made from Phono Records. The strand measures approximately 30" long with beads measuring approxima...

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$17.00 - $17.00
$17.00
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$17.00 - $17.00
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Vibrant Medley Vinyl Phono Record Beads (4mm) - The Bead Chest Sold out
$7.00 - $7.00
$7.00
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$7.00 - $7.00
$7.00

Vibrant 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
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$7.00 - $7.00
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Venetian-Style Painted Mocha Recycled Glass Beads (11mm) - The Bead Chest
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$14.00
$14.00 - $14.00
$14.00
$12.00
$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00

Venetian-Style Painted Mocha Recycled Glass Beads (11mm)

Out of stock

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

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$14.00
$14.00 - $14.00
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$12.00
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Deep Green Recycled Glass Beads (14mm) - The Bead Chest
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$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00
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$12.00

Deep Green Recycled Glass Beads (14mm)

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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
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Rainbow Striped Watermelon Chevron Beads - The Bead Chest
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$26.00 - $26.00
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$26.00 - $26.00
$26.00

Rainbow 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
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$26.00 - $26.00
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Cream Vinyl Phono Record Beads (8mm) - The Bead Chest
$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00
$12.00
$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00

Cream Vinyl Phono Record Beads (8mm)

Only 3 left!

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

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$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00
$12.00
$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00
Maroon Vintage Vinyl Phono Record Beads (9-12mm) - The Bead Chest
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$27.00 - $27.00
$27.00
$27.00
$27.00 - $27.00
$27.00

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

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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$27.00 - $27.00
$27.00
$27.00
$27.00 - $27.00
$27.00
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Swirl Design Brass Filigree Triangle Beads - The Bead Chest
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$22.00 - $22.00
$22.00
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$22.00 - $22.00
$22.00

Swirl Design Brass Filigree Triangle Beads

Out of stock

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

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$22.00 - $22.00
$22.00
$22.00
$22.00 - $22.00
$22.00
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Aqua Black Swirl Recycled Glass Beads (34mm) - The Bead Chest
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$55.00 - $55.00
$55.00
$55.00
$55.00 - $55.00
$55.00

Aqua Black Swirl Recycled Glass Beads (34mm)

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...

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$55.00 - $55.00
$55.00
$55.00
$55.00 - $55.00
$55.00
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Tiger Krobo Powder Glass Beads - The Bead Chest
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$15.00 - $15.00
$15.00
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$15.00 - $15.00
$15.00

Tiger Krobo Powder Glass Beads

Out of stock

A beautiful strand of powder glass African beads, made by the people of Krobo Mountain ( Ghana , West Africa ) reproducing old Venetian FANCY trade...

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$15.00 - $15.00
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Sun Stripe Krobo Beads - The Bead Chest
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Sun Stripe Krobo Beads

Out of stock

Beautiful strand of glass beads in a nice multicolor color. The strand has approximately 25 beads and measures 29" in length. Each bead measures 24...

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$12.00 - $12.00
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Striated Brass Filigree Beads (25x14mm) - The Bead Chest
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$22.50 - $22.50
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$22.50

Striated Brass Filigree Beads (25x14mm)

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
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Triangle Swirl Ghana Brass Filigree Beads - The Bead Chest
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$22.00 - $22.00
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$22.00 - $22.00
$22.00

Triangle Swirl Ghana Brass Filigree Beads

Out of stock

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

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$22.00 - $22.00
$22.00
$22.00
$22.00 - $22.00
$22.00
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Translucent Teal Ghana Glass Seed Beads - The Bead Chest
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$4.00
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$4.00 - $4.00
$4.00

Translucent Teal Ghana Glass Seed Beads

Out of stock

Beautiful strand of translucent teal glass seed beads from Ghana. Each bead measures approximately 3-4 x 4mm with strand length of 26". Some variat...

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$4.00 - $4.00
$4.00
$4.00
$4.00 - $4.00
$4.00
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Spider Krobo Powder Glass Beads - The Bead Chest
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$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00
$12.00
$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00

Spider Krobo Powder Glass Beads

Out of stock

A beautiful strand of powder glass African beads, made by the people of Krobo Mountain (Ghana, West Africa), reproducing old Venetian FANCY trade b...

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$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00
$12.00
$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00
Sold out
Translucent Lime Green Ghana Glass Seed Beads - The Bead Chest
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$4.00 - $4.00
$4.00
$4.00
$4.00 - $4.00
$4.00

Translucent Lime Green Ghana Glass Seed Beads

Out of stock

Beautiful strand of green glass seed beads from Ghana, strung on a traditional raffia string. Each bead measures approximately 3-4 x 4mm with stran...

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$4.00 - $4.00
$4.00
$4.00
$4.00 - $4.00
$4.00
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Old Mixed Phono Record Beads (15mm) - The Bead Chest
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$23.00 - $23.00
$23.00
$23.00
$23.00 - $23.00
$23.00

Old Mixed Phono Record Beads (15mm)

Out of stock

Take a look at this nice strand of beautiful beads made from Phono Records. The strand measures approximately 32" long with beads measuring 15mm in...

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$23.00 - $23.00
$23.00
$23.00
$23.00 - $23.00
$23.00
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Tiny White & Blue Chevron Beads - The Bead Chest
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$9.80 - $9.80
$9.80
$9.80
$9.80 - $9.80
$9.80

Tiny White & Blue Chevron Beads

Out of stock

Checkout this nice strand of Glass Chevrons from Ghana, Africa. The strand measures 25" in length, with beads measuring approximately 4mm in diamet...

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$9.80 - $9.80
$9.80
$9.80
$9.80 - $9.80
$9.80
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Tiger Eye Krobo Powder Glass Beads - The Bead Chest
Save 8% Save %
$12.00
$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00
$11.00
$11.00 - $11.00
$11.00

Tiger Eye Krobo Powder Glass Beads

in stock

A beautiful strand of powder glass African beads, made by the people of Krobo Mountain (Ghana, West Africa), reproducing old Venetian FANCY trade b...

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$12.00
$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00
$11.00
$11.00 - $11.00
$11.00
Save 8% Save %
Cylinder Krobo Thousand Eye Beads - The Bead Chest
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$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00
$12.00
$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00

Cylinder Krobo Thousand Eye Beads

Out of stock

A beautiful strand of powder glass African beads, made by the people of Krobo Mountain in Ghana, West Africa. The design of these Krobo beads is p...

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$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00
$12.00
$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00
Sold out
Grey Eye Round Krobo Beads - The Bead Chest
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$12.50 - $12.50
$12.50
$12.50
$12.50 - $12.50
$12.50

Grey Eye Round Krobo 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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$12.50 - $12.50
$12.50
$12.50
$12.50 - $12.50
$12.50
Sold out
Teal Ghana Glass Beads (4mm) - The Bead Chest
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$5.00 - $5.00
$5.00
$5.00
$5.00 - $5.00
$5.00

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
$5.00
$5.00
$5.00 - $5.00
$5.00
Sold out