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  • Original price $26.50 - Original price $26.50
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    Antique Copper Flat Disk Heishi Beads (8mm)

    in stock

    These excellent copper Flat Disk Heishi Beads will make a great addition to your jewelry making kit. Each bead measures approximately 0.5 x 8mm, wi...

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    Original price $26.50 - Original price $26.50
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  • Original price $16.50 - Original price $16.50
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    Antique Copper Flat Disk Heishi Beads (10mm)

    in stock

    These excellent copper Flat Disk Heishi Beads will make a great addition to your jewelry making kit. Each bead measures approximately 0.3 x 10mm, w...

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    Original price $16.50 - Original price $16.50
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  • Original price $49.00 - Original price $49.00
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    Copper Dotted Sphere Hollow Tribal Beads (18mm)

    Only 2 left!

    Admire this unusual strand of tribal copper beads. Look carefully to see the high quality of the workmanship, smooth finish, and rustic character. ...

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    Original price $49.00 - Original price $49.00
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    Brass Dotted Sphere Hollow Tribal Beads (18mm)

    Only 1 left!

    Admire this unusual strand of tribal brass beads. Look carefully to see the high quality of the workmanship, smooth finish, and rustic character. T...

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    Original price $49.00 - Original price $49.00
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    Shiny Silver Diamond Cut Beads (9mm, Large Hole)

    Only 8 left!

    Take a look at this great strand of beads fashioned in a faceted shape. These beads are a larger size of our popular diamond cut beads, and include...

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    Original price $35.00 - Original price $35.00
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    Faceted Brass Square Beads (6mm)

    in stock

    Beautiful strand of uniquely shaped faceted brass beads. These beads have been fashioned to resemble a diamond cut. They will add a glamorous touch...

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    Original price $25.00 - Original price $25.00
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  • Original price $49.00 - Original price $49.00
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    Copper Mali Bicone Beads (15mm)

    Only 4 left!

    These great bicone-shaped beads are bold and versatile. Each bead measures approximately 15-16 x 14-15mm, with a hole size of 2mm. Strands measure ...

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    Original price $49.00 - Original price $49.00
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  • Original price $8.50 - Original price $8.50
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    Butterfly Brass Sun Baule Bead Pendant (75x65mm)

    in stock

    This beautiful brass bead is hand casted in the design of the traditional "Baule sun" from the Ivory Coast. Increasingly difficult to find, Baule (...

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    Original price $8.50 - Original price $8.50
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    Gold Patterned Rice Beads (6x3mm)

    in stock

    Take a look at this great strand of brass beads fashioned in a oval shape. Each strand is 24" inches long with approximately 100 beads measuring 6 ...

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    Original price $9.00 - Original price $9.00
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  • Original price $13.50
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    Copper Patterned Rice Beads (9x5mm)

    in stock

    Take a look at this great strand of copper beads fashioned in an oval shape. Each strand is 24" inches long with approximately 66 beads measuring 9...

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    Original price $13.50
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  • Original price $9.00 - Original price $9.00
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    Antique Silver Faceted Rectangle Beads (4x2mm)

    in stock

    These Rectangular Antique Silver finish Beads are the perfect addition to any jewelry design kit. The rustic silver has a subtle but worn feel. Eac...

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    Original price $9.00 - Original price $9.00
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    Antique Copper Patterned Gear Beads (2mm)

    in stock

    Such a beautiful strand of high quality, etched gear beads. Each bead measures approximately 1 x 2mm, with a hole size of approximately 1mm. You wi...

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    Original price $10.00 - Original price $10.00
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    Circular Disk Antiqued Copper Beads (8mm)

    in stock

    These circular copper beads have been fashioned in a design resembling small tablets. Drilled in the transverse direction, they will lie flat when ...

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    Original price $14.00 - Original price $14.00
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    Faceted Shiny Silver Triangle Heishi Beads (2.5mm)

    in stock

    Create beautiful jewelry designs with these triangular, silver colored heishi beads! These striking beads are highly versatile and can be used as s...

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    Original price $10.00 - Original price $10.00
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  • Original price $22.50 - Original price $22.50
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    Brass Interlocking Snake Beads (4.5mm)

    in stock

    Patterned after vertebrae of the natural snake, these beautiful interlocking brass snake beads are unique to behold. Each bead measures approximate...

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    Original price $22.50 - Original price $22.50
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  • Original price $15.00
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    Gold Beveled Barrel Beads (7x5mm)

    in stock

    Add a fashionable twist to you DIY jewelry designs with these great Gold Beveled Barrel Beads. The unique shape of these beads makes them a eye-cat...

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    Original price $15.00
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  • Original price $19.00 - Original price $19.00
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    Dark Silver Flat Disk Heishi Beads (4mm)

    in stock

    Take a moment to admire these chic silver disk heishi beads. The flat shape of these heishi beads makes them a fun and handy bead to use when creat...

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    Original price $19.00 - Original price $19.00
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  • Original price $10.00 - Original price $10.00
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    Copper Triangular Gear Heishi Beads (3mm)

    in stock

    Beautiful strand of high quality, ethnic metal beads measuring 24" in length. Individual beads measure 1 x 3mm in size, with holes measuring approx...

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    Original price $10.00 - Original price $10.00
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    Copper Square Heishi Beads (5mm)

    in stock

    These unusual square-shaped heishi beads have an organic and weathered texture. May be used as spacers or to add some interesting texture to your d...

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    Original price $16.50 - Original price $16.50
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  • Original price $9.00 - Original price $9.00
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    Copper Patterned Gear Beads (3mm)

    in stock

    These gorgeous Copper Patterned Gear Beads are a stunning addition to any jewelry making project. The circular heishi shape is perfect for connecti...

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    Original price $9.00 - Original price $9.00
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    Circular Disk Silver Beads (10mm)

    in stock

    These circular white metal beads have been fashioned in a design resembling small tablets. Drilled in the transverse direction, they will lie flat ...

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    Original price $16.50 - Original price $16.50
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  • Original price $24.50 - Original price $24.50
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    Copper Sun & Moon Baule Beads (22x14mm)

    in stock

    These beautiful copper beads are hand casted in the design of traditional Baule beads from the Ivory Coast. Increasingly difficult to find, Baule (...

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    Original price $24.50 - Original price $24.50
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    Rooster Copper Sun Baule Bead Pendant (79x69mm)

    in stock

    This beautiful copper bead is hand casted in the design of the traditional "Baule sun" from the Ivory Coast. Increasingly difficult to find, Baule ...

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    Original price $8.50 - Original price $8.50
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    Copper Interlocking Snake Beads (4.5mm)

    in stock

    Patterned after vertebrae of the natural snake, these beautiful interlocking snake beads are unique to behold. Each bead measures approximately 3 x...

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    Original price $24.50 - Original price $24.50
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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.