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  • Original price $7.50 - Original price $7.50
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    Brass Tube Beads (1.5mm)

    in stock

    These fine quality brass tube beads are narrow and relatively consistent in shape. Each bead measures approximately 10-11mm wide by 1.5mm diameter....

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    Original price $7.50 - Original price $7.50
    Original price $7.50
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    Current price $7.50
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    Shiny White Metal Tube Beads (1.5mm)

    in stock

    These fine quality tube beads are narrow and relatively consistent in shape. Each bead measures approximately 10-11mm wide by 1.5mm diameter. Hard ...

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    Original price $7.50 - Original price $7.50
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    Current price $7.50
  • Original price $3.99 - Original price $3.99
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    Silver Tube Crimp Beads (2mm, Set of 100)

    in stock

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

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    Original price $3.99 - Original price $3.99
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  • Original price $11.80
    Original price $11.80 - Original price $11.80
    Original price $11.80
    Current price $8.00
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    Brass Ethiopian Tube Beads (7x3mm)

    in stock

    Beautiful strand of brass tube beads from Ethiopia!. Beads are 6-8mm long with a diameter of 3mm. This extra long strand measures approximately 32...

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    Original price $11.80
    Original price $11.80 - Original price $11.80
    Original price $11.80
    Current price $8.00
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    Current price $8.00
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  • Original price $7.50 - Original price $7.50
    Original price $7.50
    $7.50
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    Current price $7.50

    Copper Tube Beads (1.5mm)

    in stock

    These fine quality tube beads are narrow and relatively consistent in shape. Each bead measures approximately 11 x 1.5mm with a hole size of approx...

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    Original price $7.50 - Original price $7.50
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    Current price $7.50
  • Original price $15.00
    Original price $15.00 - Original price $15.00
    Original price $15.00
    Current price $10.00
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    Gold Bamboo-Shaped Beads (12x5mm)

    in stock

    Take a look at this great strand of brass beads fashioned in a tube shape. Each strand is 24" inches long with approximately 50 beads measuring 12 ...

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    Original price $15.00
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    Original price $15.00
    Current price $10.00
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    Current price $10.00
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  • Original price $3.99 - Original price $3.99
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    Bronze Tube Crimp Beads (1.5mm, Set of 100)

    in stock

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

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    Original price $3.99 - Original price $3.99
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    Current price $3.99
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    Original price $3.99
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    Current price $3.99

    Brass Tube Crimp Beads (1.5mm, Set of 100)

    in stock

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

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    Original price $3.99 - Original price $3.99
    Original price $3.99
    $3.99
    $3.99 - $3.99
    Current price $3.99
  • Original price $7.50 - Original price $7.50
    Original price $7.50
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    Antiqued Copper Tube Beads (1.5mm)

    in stock

    These fine quality tube beads are narrow and relatively consistent in shape. Each bead measures approximately 11 x 1.5mm with a hole size of approx...

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    Original price $7.50 - Original price $7.50
    Original price $7.50
    $7.50
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    Current price $7.50
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    Silver Tube Beads (1.5mm)

    in stock

    These fine quality tube beads are narrow and relatively consistent in shape. Each bead measures approximately 11 x 1.5mm with a hole size of approx...

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    Original price $7.50 - Original price $7.50
    Original price $7.50
    $7.50
    $7.50 - $7.50
    Current price $7.50
  • Original price $3.99 - Original price $3.99
    Original price $3.99
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    Current price $3.99

    Gunmetal Tube Crimp Beads (2mm, Set of 100)

    in stock

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

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    Original price $3.99 - Original price $3.99
    Original price $3.99
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    $3.99 - $3.99
    Current price $3.99
  • Original price $10.00
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    Silver Rectangular Tube Ethiopian Beads (5x2mm)

    in stock

    Admire this great strand of silver beads from Ethiopia fashioned in an unusual rectangular tube shape. This is a creative twist on the cylindrical ...

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    Original price $10.00
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  • Original price $9.00 - Original price $9.00
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    Ethiopian Dark Silver Tube Beads (3mm)

    in stock

    Beautiful strand of white metal tube beads from Ethiopia!

    Original price $9.00 - Original price $9.00
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    Silver Ethiopian Rectangular Tube Beads (3mm)

    in stock

    Admire this great strand of silver beads from Ethiopia fashioned in a useful rectangular tube shape. This cylindrical tube design is a great staple...

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    Original price $9.00
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    Original price $9.00
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  • Original price $11.80
    Original price $11.80 - Original price $11.80
    Original price $11.80
    Current price $8.00
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    Current price $8.00

    Brass Tube Ethiopian Beads (7x2mm)

    in stock

    Beautiful strand of brass tube beads from Ethiopia! Beads are 8-9mm long with a diameter of approximately 2mm and hole size of about 1.5mm. The str...

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    Original price $11.80
    Original price $11.80 - Original price $11.80
    Original price $11.80
    Current price $8.00
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  • Original price $9.00 - Original price $9.00
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    Dark Silver Ethiopian Tube Beads (7x2mm)

    in stock

    Admire this great strand of silver Ethiopian tube metal beads. These beads have been individually fashioned by hand which lends to them a unique an...

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    Original price $9.00 - Original price $9.00
    Original price $9.00
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    Current price $9.00
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    Folded Dark Silver Tube Ethiopian Beads (5x3mm)

    in stock

    Admire this great strand of silver Ethiopian tube metal beads. These beads have been individually fashioned by hand which lends to them a unique an...

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    Original price $9.00
    Original price $9.00 - Original price $9.00
    Original price $9.00
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  • Original price $16.00 - Original price $16.00
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    Brass Ethiopian Scratch Beads (8x5mm)

    in stock

    Beautiful strand of brass beads from Ethiopia. The uneven surface of these beads creates a unique scratch-like appearance that resembles tree bark!

    Original price $16.00 - Original price $16.00
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  • Original price $11.80
    Original price $11.80 - Original price $11.80
    Original price $11.80
    Current price $8.00
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    Current price $8.00

    White Metal Tube Ethiopian Beads (7x3mm)

    in stock

    Beautiful strand of white metal tube beads from Ethiopia!

    Original price $11.80
    Original price $11.80 - Original price $11.80
    Original price $11.80
    Current price $8.00
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    Current price $8.00
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  • Original price $10.00 - Original price $10.00
    Original price $10.00
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    Short Brass Ethiopian Tube Beads (2x3mm)

    in stock

    Beautiful strand of brass tube beads from Ethiopia!. Beads are 2mm long with a diameter of approximately 3.5mm and hole size of about 3mm. The st...

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    Original price $10.00 - Original price $10.00
    Original price $10.00
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    Current price $10.00
  • Original price $11.80
    Original price $11.80 - Original price $11.80
    Original price $11.80
    Current price $8.00
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    Current price $8.00

    White Metal Tube Ethiopian Beads (2mm)

    in stock

    Beautiful strand of white metal tube beads from Ethiopia!. Beads are 8-9mm long with a diameter of approximately 2mm and hole size of about 1.5mm....

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    Original price $11.80
    Original price $11.80 - Original price $11.80
    Original price $11.80
    Current price $8.00
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    Current price $8.00
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  • Original price $15.00
    Original price $15.00 - Original price $15.00
    Original price $15.00
    Current price $12.00
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    Current price $12.00

    Antiqued Brass Bamboo-Shaped Beads

    in stock

    Take a look at this great strand of brass beads fashioned in a tube shape. Each strand is 24" inches long with approximately 50 beads measuring 12 ...

    View full details
    Original price $15.00
    Original price $15.00 - Original price $15.00
    Original price $15.00
    Current price $12.00
    $12.00 - $12.00
    Current price $12.00
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  • Original price $10.00 - Original price $10.00
    Original price $10.00
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    Current price $10.00

    Ethiopian Silver Tube Beads (5x3mm)

    in stock

    Admire this great strand of silver Ethiopian tube metal beads. These beads have been individually fashioned by hand which lends to them a unique an...

    View full details
    Original price $10.00 - Original price $10.00
    Original price $10.00
    $10.00
    $10.00 - $10.00
    Current price $10.00
  • Original price $9.80
    Original price $9.80 - Original price $9.80
    Original price $9.80
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    Current price $8.00

    Copper Tube Ethiopian Beads (2-3mm)

    Only 9 left!

    Beautiful strand of tiny copper tube beads from Ethiopia! The strand is 28"-30" in length, and beads measure approximately 2-3mm in both dimensions.

    Original price $9.80
    Original price $9.80 - Original price $9.80
    Original price $9.80
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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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