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Metal Beads

  • Ethiopian Copper Saucer Beads (12mm) - The Bead Chest
    $49.00 - $49.00
    $49.00
    $49.00
    $49.00 - $49.00
    $49.00

    Ethiopian Copper Saucer Beads (12mm)

    Only 7 left!

    These great saucer-shaped beads are bold and versatile. Each bead measures approximately 8 x 12mm, with a hole size of 2mm. Strands measure 24" inc...

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    $49.00 - $49.00
    $49.00
    $49.00
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    $49.00
  • Copper Mali Bicone Beads (22x16mm) - The Bead Chest
    $49.00 - $49.00
    $49.00
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    $49.00

    Copper Mali Bicone Beads (22x16mm)

    Only 7 left!

    These great bicone-shaped beads are bold and versatile. Each bead measures approximately 22 x 16-17mm, with a hole size of 6mm. Strands measure 22"...

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    $49.00 - $49.00
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  • Copper Rounded Rectangular Hollow Tribal Beads (18mm) - The Bead Chest
    $49.00 - $49.00
    $49.00
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    Copper Rounded Rectangular Hollow Tribal Beads (18mm)

    Only 6 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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    $49.00 - $49.00
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  • Copper Lattice Rectangular Baule Beads (45x36mm) - The Bead Chest
    $69.00 - $69.00
    $69.00
    $69.00
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    $69.00

    Copper Lattice Rectangular Baule Beads (45x36mm)

    Only 4 left!

    These beautiful copper beads are hand casted in a traditional design from the Ivory Coast. Increasingly difficult to find, Baule (also known as Bao...

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    $69.00 - $69.00
    $69.00
    $69.00
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    $69.00
  • Jumbo Brass Mali Bicone Beads (26x20mm) - The Bead Chest
    $49.00 - $49.00
    $49.00
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    $49.00

    Jumbo Brass Mali Bicone Beads (26x20mm)

    Only 4 left!

    These great bicone-shaped beads are bold and versatile. Each bead measures approximately 26 x 19-20mm, with a hole size of 5mm. Strands measure 25"...

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    $49.00 - $49.00
    $49.00
    $49.00
    $49.00 - $49.00
    $49.00
  • Midnight Copper Rounded Rectangle Beads (6x5mm) - The Bead Chest
    Save 20% Save %
    $15.00
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    $15.00
    $12.00
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    $12.00

    Midnight Copper Rounded Rectangle Beads (6x5mm)

    Only 4 left!

    Take a look at this great strand of copper beads fashioned in a rectangular shape. Each strand is 24" inches long with approximately 100 beads meas...

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    $15.00
    $15.00 - $15.00
    $15.00
    $12.00
    $12.00 - $12.00
    $12.00
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  • Ethiopian Wired Copper Bicone Beads (15mm) - The Bead Chest
    Save 8% Save %
    $53.00
    $53.00 - $53.00
    $53.00
    $49.00
    $49.00 - $49.00
    $49.00

    Ethiopian Wired Copper Bicone Beads (15mm)

    Only 4 left!

    These great bicone-shaped beads are bold and versatile. Each bead measures approximately 15 x 15mm, with a hole size of 5mm. Strands measure 24" in...

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    $53.00
    $53.00 - $53.00
    $53.00
    $49.00
    $49.00 - $49.00
    $49.00
    Save 8% Save %
  • Brass Lattice Rectangular Baule Beads (45x36mm) - The Bead Chest
    $69.00 - $69.00
    $69.00
    $69.00
    $69.00 - $69.00
    $69.00

    Brass Lattice Rectangular Baule Beads (45x36mm)

    Only 3 left!

    These beautiful brass beads are hand casted in a traditional design from the Ivory Coast. Increasingly difficult to find, Baule (also known as Baou...

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    $69.00 - $69.00
    $69.00
    $69.00
    $69.00 - $69.00
    $69.00
  • Silver Rectangular Dotted Baule Beads (54x41mm) - The Bead Chest
    $69.00 - $69.00
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    $69.00

    Silver Rectangular Dotted Baule Beads (54x41mm)

    Only 3 left!

    These beautiful silver beads are hand casted in a traditional design from the Ivory Coast. Increasingly difficult to find, Baule (also known as Bao...

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    $69.00 - $69.00
    $69.00
    $69.00
    $69.00 - $69.00
    $69.00
  • Copper Rectangular Dotted Baule Beads (54x41mm) - The Bead Chest
    $69.00 - $69.00
    $69.00
    $69.00
    $69.00 - $69.00
    $69.00

    Copper Rectangular Dotted Baule Beads (54x41mm)

    Only 3 left!

    These beautiful copper beads are hand casted in a traditional design from the Ivory Coast. Increasingly difficult to find, Baule (also known as Bao...

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    $69.00 - $69.00
    $69.00
    $69.00
    $69.00 - $69.00
    $69.00
  • Copper Double Sun Dotted Baule Beads (49x36mm) - The Bead Chest
    $69.00 - $69.00
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    $69.00

    Copper Double Sun Dotted Baule Beads (49x36mm)

    Only 2 left!

    These beautiful copper beads are hand casted in a traditional design from the Ivory Coast. Increasingly difficult to find, Baule (also known as Bao...

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    $69.00 - $69.00
    $69.00
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    $69.00
  • Aluminum Mursi Ring Beads (16mm) - The Bead Chest
    $35.00 - $35.00
    $35.00
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    Aluminum Mursi Ring Beads (16mm)

    Only 2 left!

    These tribal aluminum beads are made in a design traditional to the Mursi people. The Mursi are a pastoralist tribe who live in various parts of Et...

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    $35.00 - $35.00
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  • Brass Mali Bicone Beads (15mm) - The Bead Chest
    $49.00 - $49.00
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    $49.00

    Brass Mali Bicone Beads (15mm)

    Only 1 left!

    These great bicone-shaped beads are bold and versatile. Each bead measures approximately 15 x 15mm, with a hole size of 2mm. Strands measure 24" in...

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    $49.00 - $49.00
    $49.00
    $49.00
    $49.00 - $49.00
    $49.00
  • Jumbo Ethiopian Wired Brass Bicone Beads (28x20mm) - The Bead Chest
    $59.00 - $59.00
    $59.00
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    Jumbo Ethiopian Wired Brass Bicone Beads (28x20mm)

    Only 1 left!

    These great bicone-shaped beads are bold and versatile. Each bead measures approximately 28 x 19-20mm, with a hole size of 5mm. Strands measure 24"...

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    $59.00 - $59.00
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  • Brass Faceted Ring Beads (7mm) - The Bead Chest
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    $12.00
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    $10.00
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    $10.00

    Brass Faceted Ring Beads (7mm)

    Out of stock

    These chic Gold Nugget Beads are made from brass and have a striking gold finish. With a special shiny finish these beads will add just the right a...

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    $12.00
    $12.00 - $12.00
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  • Smooth Extra Large Gold Heishi Beads (6mm) - The Bead Chest
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    $12.50 - $12.50
    $12.50
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    $12.50

    Smooth Extra Large Gold Heishi Beads (6mm)

    Out of stock

    Beautiful strand of high quality, ethnic gold colored brass beads measuring 16" in length. Individual beads measure 1.5 x 6mm in size, with holes m...

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    $12.50 - $12.50
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  • Shiny Silver Faceted Ring Beads (7mm) - The Bead Chest
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    $12.00
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    $10.00
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    Shiny Silver Faceted Ring Beads (7mm)

    Out of stock

    These Bright Silver Beads provide a subtle, elegant look for jewelry designs and other DIY craft projects. With a unique shape and gorgeous silver ...

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    $12.00
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  • Antiqued Brass Tiny Oval Beads (2mm) - The Bead Chest
    Sold out
    $5.00 - $5.00
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    Antiqued Brass Tiny Oval Beads (2mm)

    Out of stock

    Beautiful strand of high quality, ethnic brass beads measuring 24" in length. Individual beads measure 2 x 2mm in size, with holes measuring approx...

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    $5.00 - $5.00
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  • Jumbo Hollow Silver Bead (26mm) - The Bead Chest
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    $3.99 - $3.99
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    $3.99

    Jumbo Hollow Silver Bead (26mm)

    Out of stock

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

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    $3.99 - $3.99
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  • Smooth Shiny Silver Heishi Beads (6mm) - The Bead Chest
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    $12.50 - $12.50
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    Smooth Shiny Silver Heishi Beads (6mm)

    Out of stock

    Beautiful strand of high quality, ethnic beads measuring 16" in length. Individual beads measure 1.5 x 6mm in size, with holes measuring 2mm. Each ...

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    $12.50 - $12.50
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  • Copper Seed Beads (3mm) - The Bead Chest
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    $7.50 - $7.50
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    Copper Seed Beads (3mm)

    Out of stock

    Take a look at these beautiful strands of African Copper Seed Beads. Copper Seed Beads like this are perfect as a spacer bead and even look good wh...

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    $7.50 - $7.50
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  • Smooth Silver Rondelle Beads (5mm) - The Bead Chest
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    $8.00 - $8.00
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    Smooth Silver Rondelle Beads (5mm)

    Out of 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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    $8.00 - $8.00
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  • Gold Faceted Square Heishi Beads (3mm) - The Bead Chest
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    $10.00 - $10.00
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    Gold Faceted Square Heishi Beads (3mm)

    Out of stock

    Take a look at these stunning gold square heishi beads. These beads make for a great spacer in jewelry designs! Each artisan bead strand measures o...

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    $10.00 - $10.00
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  • Smooth Silver Bicone Beads (8x7mm) - The Bead Chest
    Sold out
    $14.00
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    $12.00
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    $12.00

    Smooth Silver Bicone Beads (8x7mm)

    Out of stock

    These silver bicone beads are a great addition to any beader's arsenal. Measuring approximately 8 x 7mm with a hole size of 3mm, these beads are ve...

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    $14.00
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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.