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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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Round Millefiori Beads (12mm) - The Bead Chest Sold out
$26.50
$26.50 - $26.50
$26.50
$24.00
$24.00 - $24.00
$24.00

Round Millefiori Beads (12mm)

Out of stock

You are looking at a beautiful strand of multicolor round Millefiori beads. These exquisite beads would make a great addition to any jewelry piece,...

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$26.50
$26.50 - $26.50
$26.50
$24.00
$24.00 - $24.00
$24.00
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Multicolor Krobo Medley Glass Beads - The Bead Chest Sold out
$17.00 - $17.00
$17.00
$17.00
$17.00 - $17.00
$17.00

Multicolor Krobo Medley 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 trad...

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$17.00 - $17.00
$17.00
$17.00
$17.00 - $17.00
$17.00
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Jumbo Brown Swirl Recycled Glass Beads (23mm) - The Bead Chest
$27.00 - $27.00
$27.00
$27.00
$27.00 - $27.00
$27.00

Jumbo Brown Swirl 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
$27.00 - $27.00
$27.00
Dark Aqua Recycled Glass Beads (11mm) - The Bead Chest Sold out
$10.00 - $10.00
$10.00
$10.00
$10.00 - $10.00
$10.00

Dark Aqua Recycled Glass Beads (11mm)

Out of stock

These beautiful recycled glass beads are handmade by artisans in the West African country of Ghana. Each bead is individually handcrafted through a...

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$10.00 - $10.00
$10.00
$10.00
$10.00 - $10.00
$10.00
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Blueberry Krobo Powder Glass Beads - The Bead Chest
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$14.00 - $14.00
$14.00
$14.00
$14.00 - $14.00
$14.00

Blueberry 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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$14.00 - $14.00
$14.00
$14.00
$14.00 - $14.00
$14.00
Sold out
Amber Black Swirl Recycled Glass Beads (7mm) - The Bead Chest
Sold out
$9.00 - $9.00
$9.00
$9.00
$9.00 - $9.00
$9.00

Amber Black Swirl Recycled Glass Beads (7mm)

Out of stock

These beautiful recycled glass beads are handmade by artisans in the West African country of Ghana. Each bead is individually handcrafted through a...

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$9.00 - $9.00
$9.00
$9.00
$9.00 - $9.00
$9.00
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Mixed Vintage Christmas Beads (Special Mix) - The Bead Chest
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$6.00 - $6.00
$6.00
$6.00
$6.00 - $6.00
$6.00

Mixed Vintage Christmas Beads (Special Mix)

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,"...

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$6.00 - $6.00
$6.00
$6.00
$6.00 - $6.00
$6.00
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Tic-Tac-Toe Style Round Krobo Beads - The Bead Chest
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$12.00
$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00
$10.00
$10.00 - $10.00
$10.00

Tic-Tac-Toe Style 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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$12.00
$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00
$10.00
$10.00 - $10.00
$10.00
Sold out
Old Red Vinyl Phono Record Beads (5mm) - The Bead Chest
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$15.00
$15.00 - $15.00
$15.00
$10.00
$10.00 - $10.00
$10.00

Old Red Vinyl Phono Record Beads (5mm)

Out of stock

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

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$15.00
$15.00 - $15.00
$15.00
$10.00
$10.00 - $10.00
$10.00
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Bright Sapphire Recycled Glass Beads (9mm) - The Bead Chest
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$9.00 - $9.00
$9.00
$9.00
$9.00 - $9.00
$9.00

Bright Sapphire Recycled Glass Beads (9mm)

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
$9.00
Sold out
Blue Red Eye Krobo Powder Glass Beads - The Bead Chest
Sold out
$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00
$12.00
$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00

Blue Red Eye 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
Cameroon-Style Hourglass Brass Filigree Beads (26x13mm) - The Bead Chest
Sold out
$22.50 - $22.50
$22.50
$22.50
$22.50 - $22.50
$22.50

Cameroon-Style Hourglass Brass Filigree Beads (26x13mm)

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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Blue Geometric Krobo Beads - The Bead Chest
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$12.50 - $12.50
$12.50
$12.50
$12.50 - $12.50
$12.50

Blue Geometric 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
Brass Filigree Triangle Beads, Swirl Design - The Bead Chest
Sold out
$22.00 - $22.00
$22.00
$22.00
$22.00 - $22.00
$22.00

Brass Filigree Triangle Beads, Swirl Design

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 stran...

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$22.00 - $22.00
$22.00
$22.00
$22.00 - $22.00
$22.00
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Dark Aqua Ashanti Glass Saucer Beads - The Bead Chest
$12.50 - $12.50
$12.50
$12.50
$12.50 - $12.50
$12.50

Dark Aqua Ashanti Glass Saucer Beads

in stock

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

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$12.50 - $12.50
$12.50
$12.50
$12.50 - $12.50
$12.50
Organic Green Fused Rondelle Recycled Glass Beads (11mm) - The Bead Chest
Sold out
$14.00 - $14.00
$14.00
$14.00
$14.00 - $14.00
$14.00

Organic Green Fused Rondelle Recycled Glass Beads (11mm)

Out of stock

This uniquely patterned strand of rondelle beads is made using traditional methods used to create powder glass beads. The procedure for making the ...

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$14.00 - $14.00
$14.00
$14.00
$14.00 - $14.00
$14.00
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Super Jumbo Teal Recycled Glass Beads (33mm) - The Bead Chest
Sold out
$65.00 - $65.00
$65.00
$65.00
$65.00 - $65.00
$65.00

Super Jumbo Teal Recycled Glass Beads (33mm)

Out of stock

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

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$65.00 - $65.00
$65.00
$65.00
$65.00 - $65.00
$65.00
Sold out
Mango Orange Recycled Glass Beads (7mm) - The Bead Chest
Sold out
$9.00 - $9.00
$9.00
$9.00
$9.00 - $9.00
$9.00

Mango Orange Recycled Glass Beads (7mm)

Out of stock

Take a look at this beautiful strand of orange recycled glass beads. These beads are unusually small, in a hard-to-find 7mm size. Great for bracele...

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$9.00 - $9.00
$9.00
$9.00
$9.00 - $9.00
$9.00
Sold out
Crimson Red Fused Recycled Glass Beads (11mm) - The Bead Chest
$10.00 - $10.00
$10.00
$10.00
$10.00 - $10.00
$10.00

Crimson Red Fused Recycled Glass Beads (11mm)

in 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 ...

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$10.00 - $10.00
$10.00
$10.00
$10.00 - $10.00
$10.00
Sunyani Mixed Krobo Beads (Long Strand) - The Bead Chest
Sold out
$17.00 - $17.00
$17.00
$17.00
$17.00 - $17.00
$17.00

Sunyani Mixed Krobo Beads (Long Strand)

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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$17.00 - $17.00
$17.00
$17.00
$17.00 - $17.00
$17.00
Sold out
Old Yellow & Green Striped Venetian Glass Beads - The Bead Chest
Sold out
$39.00 - $39.00
$39.00
$39.00
$39.00 - $39.00
$39.00

Old Yellow & Green Striped Venetian Glass Beads

Out of stock

This special strand of old trade beads was found in West Africa, but likely manufactured during the early 20th century by Venetian production. Each...

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$39.00 - $39.00
$39.00
$39.00
$39.00 - $39.00
$39.00
Sold out
Old Vinyl Phono Record Beads (Set of 3) - The Bead Chest
Sold out
$69.00 - $69.00
$69.00
$69.00
$69.00 - $69.00
$69.00

Old Vinyl Phono Record Beads (Set of 3)

Out of stock

Take a look at this nice set of African beads made from Phono Records. Each strand measures a 28+" long with beads measuring 8-9mm in diameter. The...

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$69.00 - $69.00
$69.00
$69.00
$69.00 - $69.00
$69.00
Sold out
Cameroon-Style Brass Cylinder Filigree Beads (19x12mm) - The Bead Chest
Sold out
$22.50
$22.50 - $22.50
$22.50
$19.00
$19.00 - $19.00
$19.00

Cameroon-Style Brass Cylinder Filigree Beads (19x12mm)

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
$19.00
$19.00 - $19.00
$19.00
Sold out
Turquoise Recycled Glass Beads (14mm) - The Bead Chest
Sold out
$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00
$12.00
$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00

Turquoise Recycled Glass Beads (14mm)

Out of stock

Admire these hard-to-find turquoise color recycled glass beads! Recycled glass beads are a type of indigenously produced African bead from Ghana We...

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$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00
$12.00
$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00
Sold out