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Metal Beads

  • Original price $6.00 - Original price $6.00
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    Polished Silver Prayer Beads

    in stock

    Admire this beautiful set of silver color prayer beads, polished to perfection. These high quality adornments have an ethnic feel, and are sure to ...

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    Original price $6.00 - Original price $6.00
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    Smooth Copper Rondelle Beads (5mm)

    in stock

    These round copper beads are top quality and are great for all of your custom jewelry design projects. These artisan beads can be used as tasteful ...

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    Round Brass Ethiopian Beads (6-7mm)

    in stock

    Here is a beautiful strand of Ethiopian Brass Round Beads from Africa. Each bead is handmade individually. The strand is a long approx. 30", with b...

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    Inlaid Nepali Round Brass Beads (10mm, set of 4)

    in stock

    This Nepali beads are made by designing a brass core, and then inlaying it with turquoise and coral stone. Each bead measures approximately 11 x 11...

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    Round White Metal Ethiopian Beads (8mm)

    in stock

    Here is a beautiful strand of Ethiopian White Metal Round Beads from Africa. Each bead is handmade individually. The strand is a long approx. 28", ...

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    Original price $15.80 - Original price $15.80
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    Round Brass Ethiopian Beads (8mm)

    in stock

    Here is a beautiful strand of Ethiopian Brass Round Bicone from Africa. Each bead is handmade individually. The strand is a long approx. 28", wi...

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    Round Brass Artisanal Berber Bead (22mm)

    in stock

    This artisanal Moroccan bead was handcrafted by Berber artisans west of the Atlas mountains. Pay attention to the elegant pattern on the bead's out...

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    Jumbo Hollow Brass Bead (26mm)

    in stock

    This beautiful brass bead is handcrafted in the highest of quality. Made using durable metal, its thick outer layer and hollow center make it a gre...

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    Gold Seed Beads (3mm)

    in stock

    Try adding these striking African metal gold colored seed beads to your jewelry making kit. Each artisan strand is about 24" in length. Each handcr...

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    Gold Round Sphere Beads (6mm)

    in stock

    Admire this great strand of artisan gold colored metal beads that have been fashioned into a round shape. Each strand measures in at approximately ...

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    Brass Miniature Padre Beads (6mm)

    Only 6 left!

    Take a look at these great strands of our Brass Miniature Padre Beads. Each strand is about 16" in length. Each Padre Bead is approximately 6 x 6.5...

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    Round White Metal Ethiopian Beads (4mm)

    in stock

    Here is a beautiful strand of Ethiopian White Metal Round Beads from Africa. Each bead is handmade individually. The strand is a long approx. 32", ...

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    Smooth Silver Padre Beads (9mm)

    in stock

    Here is a beautiful strand of antique silver colored white metal beads. These artisan beads are highly versatile and make for great accent pieces i...

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    Wound Round Ghana Brass Globe Beads (14mm)

    in stock

    Take a look at these Brass "Globe" trade beads from Africa. Each bead is made individually through the "Lost Wax process" technique. The strand is ...

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    Coral-Inlaid Afghan Tribal Silver Bead (16mm)

    in stock

    Take a close look at this unique tribal bead hand made by artisans in Afghanistan. Individually crafted, each metal bead is inlaid with a material ...

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    Silver Round Filigree Beads (12mm)

    in stock

    Admire these exceptional silver beads made in a design that originates from the Ashanti people of Ghana, West Africa. The Ashanti are the largest ...

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    Coral-Inlaid Afghan Tribal Silver Bead (25mm)

    in stock

    Take a close look at this unique tribal bead hand made by artisans in Afghanistan. Individually crafted, each metal bead is inlaid with a material ...

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    Smooth Silver Rondelle Beads (5mm)

    in stock

    Spice up your jewelry designs with these antique silver colored beads. Made from high quality white metal, these artisan beads make for wonderful s...

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    Jumbo Hollow Brass Bead (40mm)

    in stock

    This beautiful brass bead is handcrafted in the highest of quality. Made using durable metal, its thick outer layer and hollow center make it a gre...

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    Original price $4.99 - Original price $4.99
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    Round Copper Ethiopian Beads (8mm)

    in stock

    Here is a beautiful strand of Ethiopian Copper Round Beads from Africa. Each bead is handmade individually. The strand is a long approx. 28", with ...

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    Original price $15.80
    Original price $15.80 - Original price $15.80
    Original price $15.80
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    Turquoise-Inlaid Afghani Tribal Silver Bead (20mm)

    in stock

    Take a close look at this unique tribal bead hand made by artisans in Afghanistan. Individually crafted, each metal bead is inlaid with a material ...

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    Copper Miniature Padre Beads (6mm)

    in stock

    Take a look at these reflective strands of copper miniature Padre Beads. Each strand is about 16" in length. Each individually handcrafted bead is ...

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    Bronze Round Crimp Beads (2mm, Set of 100)

    in stock

    Looking to create a clean and smooth finish or stop on your jewelry designs? Our bronze round crimp beads will make the perfect stops and separator...

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    Silver Miniature Padre Beads (6mm)

    in stock

    Take a closer look at these lovely strands of silver miniature Padre Beads. Each individually handcrafted bead is approximately 6 x 6.5mm with a ro...

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Ornate and beautiful, African Metal Beads have long been an expressive art medium for indigenous tribes of the Southern and Eastern Capes. Their versatility as both a currency and symbol of status has vastly improved the fortunes of many impoverished regions, and borne an art form that continues to be imparted by ancestors to younger generations. Focal African Copper Beads are thought to be among the earliest formats produced using the “lost wax” method; an ancient Tuareg technique involving the use of hollow wax molds to shape and set molten metal. Ductile and soft, copper is one of the easiest metals to manipulate into elaborate shapes, which is why you'll find the vast majority of Copper Beads here at The Bead Chest are characterised by intricate designs and filigree work. Ethiopian Heishi Beads produced prior to the 1950's also utilised this method, and historians suggest the ancient Tuareg technique may have paved the way for the cage-like Baoule Brass Beads now produced in abundance along the Ivory Coast. Africa's popular White Metal Beads are a more recent innovation. They are commonly produced using recyclable alloys, such as aluminium, sourced from discarded cans and industrial roofing. Metal Beads tend to be far less elaborate in character than their copper counterparts owing to the process by which they are made. Both Tube and Heishi Beads are produced using the “winding” technique – a process whereby the metal is heated until malleable, before winding it around a mandrel and hammering it into shape. This technique allows for greater uniformity when crafting smaller beads, making them ideal for bead-weaving and peyote style projects.
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