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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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Pink Ashanti Glass Saucer Beads (20mm) - The Bead Chest
$21.00 - $21.00
$21.00
$21.00
$21.00 - $21.00
$21.00

Pink Ashanti Glass Saucer Beads (20mm)

in stock

Checkout this beautiful strand of pink 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
Light Grey Ashanti Glass Saucer Beads (20mm) - The Bead Chest
$21.00 - $21.00
$21.00
$21.00
$21.00 - $21.00
$21.00

Light 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
Mixed Opaque Recycled Glass Beads (9mm) - The Bead Chest
$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00
$12.00
$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00

Mixed Opaque Recycled Glass Beads (9mm)

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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$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00
$12.00
$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00
Pastel Yellow Recycled Glass Beads (18mm) - The Bead Chest Sold out
$16.50 - $16.50
$16.50
$16.50
$16.50 - $16.50
$16.50

Pastel Yellow Recycled Glass Beads (18mm)

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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$16.50 - $16.50
$16.50
$16.50
$16.50 - $16.50
$16.50
Sold out
Rustic Amber Black Swirl Recycled Glass Beads (9mm) - The Bead Chest
Sold out
$10.00
$10.00 - $10.00
$10.00
$7.00
$7.00 - $7.00
$7.00

Rustic Amber Black Swirl Recycled Glass Beads (9mm)

Out of stock

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

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$10.00
$10.00 - $10.00
$10.00
$7.00
$7.00 - $7.00
$7.00
Sold out
Amber Swirl Recycled Glass Beads (7mm) - The Bead Chest
$9.00 - $9.00
$9.00
$9.00
$9.00 - $9.00
$9.00

Amber Swirl Recycled Glass Beads (7mm)

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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$9.00 - $9.00
$9.00
$9.00
$9.00 - $9.00
$9.00
Multicolor Recycled Glass Beads (7mm) - The Bead Chest
$9.00 - $9.00
$9.00
$9.00
$9.00 - $9.00
$9.00

Multicolor Recycled Glass Beads (7mm)

in stock

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

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$9.00 - $9.00
$9.00
$9.00
$9.00 - $9.00
$9.00
Dark Aqua Swirl Recycled Glass Beads (7mm) - The Bead Chest
Sold out
$9.00 - $9.00
$9.00
$9.00
$9.00 - $9.00
$9.00

Dark Aqua Swirl Recycled Glass Beads (7mm)

Out of stock

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

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$9.00 - $9.00
$9.00
$9.00
$9.00 - $9.00
$9.00
Sold out
Super Jumbo Pastel Green Recycled Glass Beads (35mm) - The Bead Chest
Sold out
$65.00 - $65.00
$65.00
$65.00
$65.00 - $65.00
$65.00

Super Jumbo Pastel Green Recycled Glass Beads (35mm)

Out of stock

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

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

Pastel Green Recycled Glass Beads (7mm)

Only 5 left!

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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$9.00 - $9.00
$9.00
$9.00
$9.00 - $9.00
$9.00
Pastel Green Recycled Glass Beads (14mm) - The Bead Chest
$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00
$12.00
$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00

Pastel Green Recycled Glass Beads (14mm)

in 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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$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00
$12.00
$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00
Pastel Green Recycled Glass Beads (18mm) - The Bead Chest
Sold out
$16.50 - $16.50
$16.50
$16.50
$16.50 - $16.50
$16.50

Pastel Green Recycled Glass Beads (18mm)

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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$16.50 - $16.50
$16.50
$16.50
$16.50 - $16.50
$16.50
Sold out
Blue Aqua Rondelle Recycled Glass Beads - The Bead Chest
$12.50 - $12.50
$12.50
$12.50
$12.50 - $12.50
$12.50

Blue Aqua Rondelle Recycled Glass Beads

in 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
Mixed Chevron-Style Aja Krobo Beads (11mm) - The Bead Chest
Sold out
$14.00 - $14.00
$14.00
$14.00
$14.00 - $14.00
$14.00

Mixed Chevron-Style Aja Krobo Beads (11mm)

Out of stock

These multicolor powder glass beads are inspired by traditional Aja trade beads. Shaped as thin, sliced disks, these great beads open up a plethora...

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$14.00 - $14.00
$14.00
$14.00
$14.00 - $14.00
$14.00
Sold out
American Speckled Recycled Glass Beads (14mm) - The Bead Chest
Sold out
$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00
$12.00
$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00

American Speckled Recycled Glass Beads (14mm)

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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$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00
$12.00
$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00
Sold out
Multicolor West African Flower Krobo Beads (11mm) - The Bead Chest
$15.00 - $15.00
$15.00
$15.00
$15.00 - $15.00
$15.00

Multicolor West African Flower Krobo Beads (11mm)

in stock

Checkout this beautiful strand of glass beads fashioned after traditional Flower trade beads. The strand has approximately 160 beads and measures 2...

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$15.00 - $15.00
$15.00
$15.00
$15.00 - $15.00
$15.00
Translucent Blue & White Fused Rondelle Recycled Glass Beads (14mm) - The Bead Chest
Save 15% Save %
$15.00
$15.00 - $15.00
$15.00
$12.75
$12.75 - $12.75
$12.75

Translucent Blue & White 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 - $15.00
$15.00
$12.75
$12.75 - $12.75
$12.75
Save 15% Save %
Jumbo Cobalt Blue Recycled Glass Beads (23mm) - The Bead Chest
$27.00 - $27.00
$27.00
$27.00
$27.00 - $27.00
$27.00

Jumbo Cobalt Blue Recycled Glass Beads (23mm)

in stock

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

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$27.00 - $27.00
$27.00
$27.00
$27.00 - $27.00
$27.00
Turquoise & Cobalt Blue Medley Ashanti Glass Saucer Beads - The Bead Chest
Sold out
$12.50 - $12.50
$12.50
$12.50
$12.50 - $12.50
$12.50

Turquoise & Cobalt Blue Medley Ashanti Glass Saucer Beads

Out of stock

Checkout this beautiful strand of blue medley Ashanti glass saucer beads. Get multiple colors for the price of one! The process of making these bea...

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$12.50 - $12.50
$12.50
$12.50
$12.50 - $12.50
$12.50
Sold out
Bright Christmas Krobo Powder Glass Beads - The Bead Chest
Sold out
$14.50 - $14.50
$14.50
$14.50
$14.50 - $14.50
$14.50

Bright Christmas Krobo Powder Glass Beads

Out of stock

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

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$14.50 - $14.50
$14.50
$14.50
$14.50 - $14.50
$14.50
Sold out
Lavender Swirl Recycled Glass Beads (7mm) - The Bead Chest
Sold out
$9.00 - $9.00
$9.00
$9.00
$9.00 - $9.00
$9.00

Lavender Swirl Recycled Glass Beads (7mm)

Out of stock

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

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$9.00 - $9.00
$9.00
$9.00
$9.00 - $9.00
$9.00
Sold out
Dark Clear 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 Clear 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
Sold out
Contemporary Medley of Sandcast Christmas Beads - The Bead Chest
Sold out
$5.00
$5.00 - $5.00
$5.00
$3.99
$3.99 - $3.99
$3.99

Contemporary Medley of Sandcast Christmas Beads

Out of stock

Admire this colorful strand of glass Christmas beads. Also sometimes identified as Czechovally beads, strands of mixed beads such as these may deri...

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$5.00
$5.00 - $5.00
$5.00
$3.99
$3.99 - $3.99
$3.99
Sold out
Salmon Pink Ashanti Glass Saucer Beads (14mm) - The Bead Chest
Sold out
$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00
$12.00
$12.00 - $12.00
$12.00

Salmon Pink Ashanti Glass Saucer Beads (14mm)

Out of stock

Checkout this beautiful strand of Ashanti glass saucer beads. The process of making these beads is unique to Africa and has been used for over 1000...

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