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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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Rare Mid-Blue Prosser Button Beads (9mm) - The Bead Chest Sold out
$48.00 - $48.00
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$48.00

Rare Mid-Blue Prosser Button Beads (9mm)

Out of stock

These versatile blue beads are smooth and worn to touch. Found in Nigeria, West Africa, vintage Czech beads such as these were made in Central Euro...

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$48.00 - $48.00
$48.00
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$48.00 - $48.00
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Vintage Black Flower Beads (7mm) - The Bead Chest
$75.00 - $75.00
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$75.00 - $75.00
$75.00

Vintage Black Flower Beads (7mm)

Only 4 left!

This unusual strand of vintage flower beads likely originates in the former Czechoslovakia. Beads such as this were traded to Africa and are found ...

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$75.00 - $75.00
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$75.00 - $75.00
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Vintage Cobalt Blue Flower Beads (9mm) - The Bead Chest Sold out
$75.00 - $75.00
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$75.00 - $75.00
$75.00

Vintage Cobalt Blue Flower Beads (9mm)

Out of stock

This unusual strand of vintage flower beads likely originates in the former Czechoslovakia. Beads such as this were traded to Africa and are found ...

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$75.00 - $75.00
$75.00
$75.00
$75.00 - $75.00
$75.00
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Coral Fused Rondelle Recycled Glass Beads (14mm) - The Bead Chest
$15.00 - $15.00
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$15.00 - $15.00
$15.00

Coral Fused Rondelle Recycled Glass Beads (14mm)

in 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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$15.00 - $15.00
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Opaque Pink Recycled Glass Beads (9mm) - The Bead Chest
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$9.00 - $9.00
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$9.00 - $9.00
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Opaque Pink Recycled Glass Beads (9mm)

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
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$9.00 - $9.00
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Turquoise Blue Mini-Disk Sandcast Beads - The Bead Chest
$8.00 - $8.00
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$8.00 - $8.00
$8.00

Turquoise Blue Mini-Disk Sandcast Beads

in stock

Checkout this beautiful strand of blue color Ghana glass disk beads. The process of making these beads is unique to Africa and has been used for ov...

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$8.00 - $8.00
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Brown Mini-Disk Sandcast Beads - The Bead Chest
$8.00 - $8.00
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$8.00 - $8.00
$8.00

Brown Mini-Disk Sandcast Beads

in stock

Checkout this beautiful strand of brown color Ghana glass disk beads. The process of making these beads is unique to Africa and has been used for o...

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$8.00 - $8.00
$8.00
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$8.00 - $8.00
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Blue & Brown Krobo Beads (12mm) - The Bead Chest
Sold out
$14.50 - $14.50
$14.50
$14.50
$14.50 - $14.50
$14.50

Blue & Brown Krobo Beads (12mm)

Out of stock

This beautiful strand of African powder glass beads was made by the people of Krobo Mountain in Ghana, West Africa. Many designs of Krobo beads are...

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$14.50 - $14.50
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Brown & Black Krobo Beads (12mm) - The Bead Chest
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$14.50 - $14.50
$14.50
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$14.50 - $14.50
$14.50

Brown & Black Krobo Beads (12mm)

Out of stock

This beautiful strand of African powder glass beads was made by the people of Krobo Mountain in Ghana, West Africa. Many designs of Krobo beads are...

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$14.50 - $14.50
$14.50
$14.50
$14.50 - $14.50
$14.50
Sold out
Rainbow Medley Fused Rondelle Recycled Glass Beads (14mm) - The Bead Chest
Sold out
$15.00 - $15.00
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$15.00 - $15.00
$15.00

Rainbow Medley Fused Rondelle Recycled Glass Beads (14mm)

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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$15.00 - $15.00
$15.00
$15.00
$15.00 - $15.00
$15.00
Sold out
Peach Vinyl Phono Record Beads (4mm) - The Bead Chest
Save 43% Save %
$7.00
$7.00 - $7.00
$7.00
$3.99
$3.99 - $3.99
$3.99

Peach Vinyl Phono Record Beads (4mm)

in stock

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

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$7.00
$7.00 - $7.00
$7.00
$3.99
$3.99 - $3.99
$3.99
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Floral Green Antique Matching Venetian Millefiori Trade Beads - The Bead Chest
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$245.00 - $245.00
$245.00
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$245.00

Floral Green 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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$245.00 - $245.00
$245.00
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Antique Clear Venetian Gooseberry Trade Beads (Long Strand) - The Bead Chest
Sold out
$120.00 - $120.00
$120.00
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$120.00 - $120.00
$120.00

Antique Clear Venetian Gooseberry Trade Beads (Long Strand)

Out of stock

Gooseberry beads are known to be made in Venice in the 1700s through the 1900s. They are made of heated, drawn, pinched and polished clear glass, ...

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$120.00 - $120.00
$120.00
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End of Day Recycled Glass Beads (30 Inch Strand) - The Bead Chest
Sold out
$179.00 - $179.00
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$179.00 - $179.00
$179.00

End of Day Recycled Glass Beads (30 Inch Strand)

Out of stock

Take a look at this hard to find strand of End of Day Beads from Ghana in West Africa. Beads such as this are made by recycling older broken beads ...

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$179.00 - $179.00
$179.00
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Antique Venetian Cylinder Eye Beads - The Bead Chest
$395.00 - $395.00
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$395.00

Premium Antique Venetian Eye King Beads

Only 1 left!

Admire this unique strand of authentic antique Venetian Eye King Beads, which are part of the "King Bead" family. Often displayed as a symbol of st...

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$395.00 - $395.00
$395.00
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$395.00 - $395.00
$395.00
Opaque Grey Recycled Glass Beads (7mm) - The Bead Chest
Sold out
$9.00 - $9.00
$9.00
$9.00
$9.00 - $9.00
$9.00

Opaque Grey Recycled Glass Beads (7mm)

Out of stock

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

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$9.00 - $9.00
$9.00
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Opaque Grey Recycled Glass Beads (9mm) - The Bead Chest
$9.00 - $9.00
$9.00
$9.00
$9.00 - $9.00
$9.00

Opaque Grey Recycled Glass Beads (9mm)

in stock

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

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$9.00 - $9.00
$9.00
$9.00
$9.00 - $9.00
$9.00
Opaque Grey Recycled Glass Beads (11mm) - The Bead Chest
$10.00 - $10.00
$10.00
$10.00
$10.00 - $10.00
$10.00

Opaque Grey Recycled Glass Beads (11mm)

in stock

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

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$10.00 - $10.00
$10.00
$10.00
$10.00 - $10.00
$10.00
Opaque Grey Recycled Glass Beads (14mm) - The Bead Chest
$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00
$12.00
$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00

Opaque Grey Recycled Glass Beads (14mm)

in stock

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

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$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00
$12.00
$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00
Rustic Opaque White Recycled Glass Beads (18mm) - The Bead Chest
$16.50 - $16.50
$16.50
$16.50
$16.50 - $16.50
$16.50

Rustic Opaque White Recycled Glass Beads (18mm)

in 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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$16.50 - $16.50
$16.50
$16.50
$16.50 - $16.50
$16.50
Jumbo Opaque White Recycled Glass Beads (27mm) - The Bead Chest
$35.00 - $35.00
$35.00
$35.00
$35.00 - $35.00
$35.00

Jumbo Opaque White Recycled Glass Beads (27mm)

in 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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$35.00 - $35.00
$35.00
$35.00
$35.00 - $35.00
$35.00
Blue Mini-Disk Sandcast Beads - The Bead Chest
$9.00 - $9.00
$9.00
$9.00
$9.00 - $9.00
$9.00

Blue Mini-Disk Sandcast Beads

in stock

Checkout this beautiful strand of blue color Ghana glass disk beads. The process of making these beads is unique to Africa and has been used for ov...

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$9.00 - $9.00
$9.00
$9.00
$9.00 - $9.00
$9.00
Blue Ashanti Glass Saucer Beads (20mm) - The Bead Chest
Sold out
$23.00 - $23.00
$23.00
$23.00
$23.00 - $23.00
$23.00

Blue Ashanti Glass Saucer Beads (20mm)

Out of stock

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

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$23.00 - $23.00
$23.00
$23.00
$23.00 - $23.00
$23.00
Sold out
Dark Grey Ashanti Glass Saucer Beads (20mm) - The Bead Chest
$21.00 - $21.00
$21.00
$21.00
$21.00 - $21.00
$21.00

Dark Grey Ashanti Glass Saucer Beads (20mm)

in stock

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

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$21.00 - $21.00
$21.00
$21.00
$21.00 - $21.00
$21.00