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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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Aqua Ghana Glass Beads (2 Strands) - The Bead Chest Sold out
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Aqua Ghana Glass Beads (2 Strands)

Out of stock

Two strands of aqua small glass beads from Africa. Each bead measures approximately 4mm in diameter by 3mm in length. Some variation in individual ...

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$10.00 - $10.00
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Rainbow Medley Phono Record Vinyl Beads (4mm) - The Bead Chest Sold out
$7.00 - $7.00
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Rainbow Medley Phono Record Vinyl 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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Rainbow Medley Czech Glass Beads (8mm) - The Bead Chest Sold out
$14.50 - $14.50
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$14.50

Rainbow Medley Czech Glass Beads (8mm)

Out of stock

Take a look at this fun medley of larger size Czech Glass Beads. Each strand includes a unique mix of approximately 100 beads and may include both ...

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$14.50 - $14.50
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Garnet Red Ghana Glass Beads - The Bead Chest Sold out
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Garnet Red Ghana Glass Beads

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These beautiful glass beads offer a deep red color similar to natural garnet. Each bead measures approximately 3 x 4mm in size, with a hole size of...

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Flat Bicone Woven Brass Filigree Beads (25x11mm) - The Bead Chest
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$22.00 - $22.00
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Flat Bicone Woven Brass Filigree Beads (25x11mm)

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These brass trade beads are from Ghana, Africa. Each bead is made individually through the "Lost Wax process" technique in a braided design. The st...

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$22.00 - $22.00
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Fancy Orange Spotted Krobo Powder Glass Beads - The Bead Chest
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$12.00 - $12.00
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Fancy Orange Spotted Krobo Powder Glass Beads

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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
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Fancy Mixed Krobo Powder Glass Beads - The Bead Chest
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Fancy Mixed Krobo Powder Glass Beads

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

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$12.00 - $12.00
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Blue Grey Ashanti Glass Saucer Beads - The Bead Chest
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$12.50
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$11.95
$11.95 - $11.95
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Blue Grey Ashanti Glass Saucer Beads

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Checkout this beautiful strand of greyish blue color Ashanti glass saucer beads. The process of making these beads is unique to Africa and has been...

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$12.50
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Black & Pink Phono Record Vinyl Beads (3mm) - The Bead Chest
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$6.00 - $6.00
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Black & Pink Phono Record Vinyl Beads (3mm)

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

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$6.00 - $6.00
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Purple Recycled Glass Beads (18mm) - The Bead Chest
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Purple Recycled Glass Beads (18mm)

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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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$16.50 - $16.50
$16.50
$16.50
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Exquisite Antique Matching Venetian Millefiori Trade Beads - The Bead Chest
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$179.00 - $179.00
$179.00
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$179.00 - $179.00
$179.00

Exquisite 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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$179.00 - $179.00
$179.00
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Rose Color Sandcast Cylinder Beads - The Bead Chest
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Rose Color Sandcast Cylinder Beads

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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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Cornfield Krobo Beads - The Bead Chest
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Cornfield Krobo Beads

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Beautiful strand of glass beads in a nice multicolor color. The strand has approximately 55 beads and measures 32" in length. Each bead measures 5-...

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Zebra Krobo Powder Glass Beads - The Bead Chest
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Zebra 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
$11.00
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$11.00
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Aqua Black Swirl Recycled Glass Beads (25mm) - The Bead Chest
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$35.00
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Aqua Black Swirl Recycled Glass Beads (25mm)

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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Clear Aqua Star Shape Recycled Glass Beads - The Bead Chest
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Clear Aqua 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 clear color recycled beads are made u...

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$35.00 - $35.00
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Matte Black Ghana Seed Beads - The Bead Chest
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Matte Black Ghana Seed Beads

Out of stock

These black beads have a fun and slightly varied shape. Their distinctive matte finish will make them a versatile addition to your designs without ...

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$4.00 - $4.00
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Pink Padre Prosser Button Beads (9mm) (Long Strand) - The Bead Chest
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$39.00 - $39.00
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Pink Padre Prosser Button Beads (9mm) (Long Strand)

Out of stock

Sliced Prosser Beads, otherwise known as button beads, get their name from their unique shape. These beads originated in the former Czechoslovakia ...

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$39.00 - $39.00
$39.00
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$39.00 - $39.00
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Pastel Medley Vinyl Phono Record Beads (10mm) - The Bead Chest
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$14.00
$14.00 - $14.00
$14.00
$4.99
$4.99 - $4.99
$4.99

Pastel Medley Vinyl Phono Record Beads (10mm)

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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$14.00
$14.00 - $14.00
$14.00
$4.99
$4.99 - $4.99
$4.99
Sold out
Pastel Multicolor Rondelle Recycled Glass Beads - The Bead Chest
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$12.50 - $12.50
$12.50
$12.50
$12.50 - $12.50
$12.50

Pastel Multicolor Rondelle Recycled Glass Beads

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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$12.50 - $12.50
$12.50
$12.50
$12.50 - $12.50
$12.50
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Dark Green Vintage Vinyl Phono Record Beads (14-16mm) - The Bead Chest
$45.00 - $45.00
$45.00
$45.00
$45.00 - $45.00
$45.00

Dark Green Vintage Vinyl Phono Record Beads (14-16mm)

Only 4 left!

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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$45.00 - $45.00
$45.00
$45.00
$45.00 - $45.00
$45.00
Mottled Turquoise Ghana Glass Beads (2 Strands) - The Bead Chest
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$8.00 - $8.00
$8.00
$8.00
$8.00 - $8.00
$8.00

Mottled Turquoise Ghana Glass Beads (2 Strands)

Out of stock

Two strands of small glass beads from Ghana in an usual mottled blue color. Each bead measures approximately 3-4mm across with strand length of 24"...

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$8.00 - $8.00
$8.00
$8.00
$8.00 - $8.00
$8.00
Sold out
Antique Matching Venetian Millefiori Trade Beads - The Bead Chest
Sold out
$179.00 - $179.00
$179.00
$179.00
$179.00 - $179.00
$179.00

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...

View full details
$179.00 - $179.00
$179.00
$179.00
$179.00 - $179.00
$179.00
Sold out
Orange Ashanti Glass Saucer Beads - The Bead Chest
Sold out
$12.50 - $12.50
$12.50
$12.50
$12.50 - $12.50
$12.50

Orange Ashanti Glass Saucer Beads

Out of stock

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

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$12.50 - $12.50
$12.50
$12.50
$12.50 - $12.50
$12.50
Sold out