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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 Medley Vinyl Phono Record Beads (6mm) - The Bead Chest Sold out
$15.00 - $15.00
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$15.00 - $15.00
$15.00

Vintage Medley Vinyl Phono Record Beads (6mm)

Out of stock

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

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$15.00 - $15.00
$15.00
$15.00
$15.00 - $15.00
$15.00
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Jumbo Mocha Brown Recycled Glass Beads (23mm) - The Bead Chest Save 19% Save %
$27.00
$27.00 - $27.00
$27.00
$22.00
$22.00 - $22.00
$22.00

Jumbo Mocha Brown Recycled Glass Beads (23mm)

in 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...

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$27.00
$27.00 - $27.00
$27.00
$22.00
$22.00 - $22.00
$22.00
Save 19% Save %
Eye Mosaic Krobo Powder Glass Beads - The Bead Chest Sold out
$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00
$12.00
$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00

Eye Mosaic 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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$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00
$12.00
$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00
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Bright Aqua Recycled Glass Beads (7mm) - The Bead Chest Sold out
$9.00 - $9.00
$9.00
$9.00
$9.00 - $9.00
$9.00

Bright Aqua Recycled Glass Beads (7mm)

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...

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$9.00 - $9.00
$9.00
$9.00
$9.00 - $9.00
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Rainbow Medley Fused Rondelle Recycled Glass Beads - The Bead Chest
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$14.00 - $14.00
$14.00
$14.00
$14.00 - $14.00
$14.00

Rainbow Medley Fused Rondelle Recycled Glass Beads

Out of stock

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

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$14.00 - $14.00
$14.00
$14.00
$14.00 - $14.00
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Purple Strawstack Sandcast Beads - The Bead Chest
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$16.00 - $16.00
$16.00
$16.00
$16.00 - $16.00
$16.00

Purple Strawstack Sandcast Beads

Out of stock

Checkout this beautiful strand of purple strawstack sandcast beads. The process of making these beads is unique to Africa and has been used for ove...

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$16.00 - $16.00
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Iridescent Purple Core Ghana Glass Seed Beads - The Bead Chest
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$4.00 - $4.00
$4.00
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$4.00 - $4.00
$4.00

Iridescent Purple Core Ghana Glass Seed Beads

Out of stock

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

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$4.00 - $4.00
$4.00
$4.00
$4.00 - $4.00
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Premium Black Tribal Krobo Beads (8x8mm) - The Bead Chest
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$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00
$12.00
$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00

Premium Black Tribal Krobo Beads (8x8mm)

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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Cameo White & Gold Millefiori Beads - The Bead Chest
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$19.50 - $19.50
$19.50
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$19.50 - $19.50
$19.50

Cameo White & Gold Millefiori Beads

Out of stock

You are looking at a beautiful strand of cameo white and gold round Millefiori beads. These exquisite beads would make a great addition to any jewe...

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$19.50 - $19.50
$19.50
$19.50
$19.50 - $19.50
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Brown and Yellow Sandcast Powder Glass Beads (2 Strands) - The Bead Chest
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$6.50 - $6.50
$6.50
$6.50
$6.50 - $6.50
$6.50

Brown and Yellow Sandcast Powder Glass Beads (2 Strands)

Out of stock

Checkout these beautiful strands of multicolor sandcast beads from Ghana, West Africa. The process of making these beads is unique to Africa and ha...

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$6.50 - $6.50
$6.50
$6.50
$6.50 - $6.50
$6.50
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Blue Strawstack Sandcast Beads - The Bead Chest
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$16.00 - $16.00
$16.00
$16.00
$16.00 - $16.00
$16.00

Blue Strawstack Sandcast Beads

Out of stock

Checkout this beautiful strand of blue strawstack sandcast beads. The process of making these beads is unique to Africa and has been used for over...

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$16.00 - $16.00
$16.00
$16.00
$16.00 - $16.00
$16.00
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Fried Egg Krobo Trade Beads - The Bead Chest
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$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00
$12.00
$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00

Fried Egg Krobo Trade 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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Cameroon-Style Cylinder Brass Filigree Beads (35x24mm) - The Bead Chest
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$24.50 - $24.50
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$24.50 - $24.50
$24.50

Cameroon-Style Cylinder Brass Filigree Beads (35x24mm)

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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$24.50 - $24.50
$24.50
$24.50
$24.50 - $24.50
$24.50
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Super Jumbo Ghana Brass Filigree Beads (40mm) - The Bead Chest
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$79.00 - $79.00
$79.00
$79.00
$79.00 - $79.00
$79.00

Super Jumbo Ghana Brass Filigree Beads (40mm)

Out of stock

These Ghana Brass beads are noteworthy due to their exceptional size. Brass beads such as these are individual cast by a traditional metal smith. E...

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$79.00 - $79.00
$79.00
$79.00
$79.00 - $79.00
$79.00
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Forest Green Kente Krobo Beads (14mm) - The Bead Chest
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$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00
$12.00
$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00

Forest Green Kente Krobo Beads (14mm)

Out of stock

Ghana is known for its history of traditional bead-making. These beautiful powder glass beads are made by Krobo tribe people using centuries-old te...

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$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00
$12.00
$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00
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Olive Green Recycled Glass Beads (11mm) - The Bead Chest
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$10.00 - $10.00
$10.00
$10.00
$10.00 - $10.00
$10.00

Olive 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 green color recycled beads are made u...

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$10.00 - $10.00
$10.00
$10.00
$10.00 - $10.00
$10.00
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Olive Green Rondelle Recycled Glass Beads - The Bead Chest
Sold out
$12.50 - $12.50
$12.50
$12.50
$12.50 - $12.50
$12.50

Olive Green Rondelle Recycled Glass Beads

Out of stock

Take a look at these beautiful rondelle shaped recycled glass beads. Powder glass beads are made by crushing glass to a fine powder and heating it ...

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$12.50 - $12.50
$12.50
$12.50
$12.50 - $12.50
$12.50
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Summer Medley Sandcast Cylinder Beads - The Bead Chest
$8.00 - $8.00
$8.00
$8.00
$8.00 - $8.00
$8.00

Summer Medley Sandcast Cylinder Beads

in 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. Pu...

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$8.00 - $8.00
$8.00
$8.00
$8.00 - $8.00
$8.00
Millefiori Beads (Small, Round) - The Bead Chest
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$24.00 - $24.00
$24.00
$24.00
$24.00 - $24.00
$24.00

Millefiori Beads (Small, Round)

Out of stock

You are looking at a beautiful strand of round Millefiori beads. Colorful and vibrant, these beads would make a great addition to any jewelry piece...

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$24.00 - $24.00
$24.00
$24.00
$24.00 - $24.00
$24.00
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Blue French Cross Krobo Beads - The Bead Chest
$12.50 - $12.50
$12.50
$12.50
$12.50 - $12.50
$12.50

Blue French Cross Krobo Beads

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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$12.50 - $12.50
$12.50
$12.50
$12.50 - $12.50
$12.50
Wound Barrel Brass Filigree Beads (21x15mm) - The Bead Chest
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$22.50 - $22.50
$22.50
$22.50
$22.50 - $22.50
$22.50

Wound Barrel Brass Filigree Beads (21x15mm)

Out of stock

Take a look at these barrel-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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Krobo Fancy Powder Glass Yellow Beads - The Bead Chest
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$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00
$12.00
$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00

Krobo Fancy Powder Glass Yellow 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
Red Star Shape Recycled Glass Beads - The Bead Chest
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$35.00 - $35.00
$35.00
$35.00
$35.00 - $35.00
$35.00

Red Star Shape Recycled Glass Beads

Out of stock

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

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$35.00 - $35.00
$35.00
$35.00
$35.00 - $35.00
$35.00
Sold out
Sky Blue Ghana Glass Beads (7mm) - The Bead Chest
Sold out
$9.25 - $9.25
$9.25
$9.25
$9.25 - $9.25
$9.25

Sky Blue Ghana Glass Beads (7mm)

Out of stock

High-quality strand of blue color small glass beads from Ghana. Each bead measures approximately 4 x 7mm with strand length of 27". Some variation ...

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$9.25 - $9.25
$9.25
$9.25
$9.25 - $9.25
$9.25
Sold out