Skip to content

Country

Metal Beads

  • Original price $16.50 - Original price $16.50
    Original price $16.50
    $16.50
    $16.50 - $16.50
    Current price $16.50

    Brass Interlocking Crisp Beads (6mm)

    in stock

    These excellent Brass Interlocking Crisp Beads will make a great addition to your jewelry making kit. Each strand is about 16" in length. Each bras...

    View full details
    Original price $16.50 - Original price $16.50
    Original price $16.50
    $16.50
    $16.50 - $16.50
    Current price $16.50
  • Original price $10.00 - Original price $10.00
    Original price $10.00
    $10.00
    $10.00 - $10.00
    Current price $10.00

    Antiqued Brass Faceted Square Heishi Beads (3mm)

    Only 8 left!

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

    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 $16.50 - Original price $16.50
    Original price $16.50
    $16.50
    $16.50 - $16.50
    Current price $16.50

    Gold Flat Disk Heishi Beads (6mm)

    in stock

    Brighten up your designs with these great Gold Disk Heishi Beads. The flat shape of these beads makes them highly versatile and they may be used as...

    View full details
    Original price $16.50 - Original price $16.50
    Original price $16.50
    $16.50
    $16.50 - $16.50
    Current price $16.50
  • Original price $8.00
    Original price $8.00 - Original price $8.00
    Original price $8.00
    Current price $6.80
    $6.80 - $6.80
    Current price $6.80

    Smooth Antiqued Brass Bicone Beads (4.5mm, 16 Inch Strand)

    in stock

    Take a look at this great strand of brass beads fashioned in a bicone shape. Each strand is 16" inches long with approximately 95 beads measuring 4...

    View full details
    Original price $8.00
    Original price $8.00 - Original price $8.00
    Original price $8.00
    Current price $6.80
    $6.80 - $6.80
    Current price $6.80
    Save 15% Save %
  • Original price $12.00 - Original price $12.00
    Original price $12.00
    $12.00
    $12.00 - $12.00
    Current price $12.00

    Circular Disk Brass Beads (5mm)

    in stock

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

    View full details
    Original price $12.00 - Original price $12.00
    Original price $12.00
    $12.00
    $12.00 - $12.00
    Current price $12.00
  • Original price $8.00 - Original price $8.00
    Original price $8.00
    $8.00
    $8.00 - $8.00
    Current price $8.00

    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 ...

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

    Gold Faceted Square Heishi Beads (3mm)

    in 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...

    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 $14.00
    Original price $14.00 - Original price $14.00
    Original price $14.00
    Current price $12.00
    $12.00 - $12.00
    Current price $12.00

    Smooth Brass Bicone Beads (8x7mm)

    in stock

    These brass bicone beads are a great addition to any beader's arsenal. Measuring approximately 8 x 7mm with a hole size of 2mm, these beads are ver...

    View full details
    Original price $14.00
    Original price $14.00 - Original price $14.00
    Original price $14.00
    Current price $12.00
    $12.00 - $12.00
    Current price $12.00
    Save 14% Save %
  • Original price $10.00 - Original price $10.00
    Original price $10.00
    $10.00
    $10.00 - $10.00
    Current price $10.00

    Silver Patterned Heishi Beads (3mm)

    in stock

    Take a look at this great strand of white metal beads fashioned in a heishi shape. Each strand is 26" inches long with approximately 340 beads meas...

    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 $12.00
    Original price $12.00 - Original price $12.00
    Original price $12.00
    Current price $9.00
    $9.00 - $9.00
    Current price $9.00

    Copper Diamond Cut Beads (3mm)

    in stock

    Take a look at this great strand of copper beads fashioned in a cube shape. Each strand is 26" inches long with approximately 200 beads measuring 3...

    View full details
    Original price $12.00
    Original price $12.00 - Original price $12.00
    Original price $12.00
    Current price $9.00
    $9.00 - $9.00
    Current price $9.00
    Save 25% Save %
  • Original price $12.00 - Original price $12.00
    Original price $12.00
    $12.00
    $12.00 - $12.00
    Current price $12.00

    Smooth Shiny Silver Seed Beads (3mm)

    in stock

    Beautiful strand of high quality, ethnic white metal beads measuring 26" in length. Individual beads measure 2x3mm in size, with holes measuring . ...

    View full details
    Original price $12.00 - Original price $12.00
    Original price $12.00
    $12.00
    $12.00 - $12.00
    Current price $12.00
  • Original price $19.00 - Original price $19.00
    Original price $19.00
    $19.00
    $19.00 - $19.00
    Current price $19.00

    Brass Interlocking Crisp Beads (4mm)

    in stock

    Take a look at this great strand of brass beads fashioned in a special heishi shape similar to potato crisps. Each strand is 25" long with beads me...

    View full details
    Original price $19.00 - Original price $19.00
    Original price $19.00
    $19.00
    $19.00 - $19.00
    Current price $19.00
  • Original price $9.00 - Original price $9.00
    Original price $9.00
    $9.00
    $9.00 - $9.00
    Current price $9.00

    Brass Tube Beads (3mm)

    in stock

    These brass tube beads make for great spacers in your jewelry designs! The beads measure approximately 3 x 3mm each with a hole size of 1.5mm. Each...

    View full details
    Original price $9.00 - Original price $9.00
    Original price $9.00
    $9.00
    $9.00 - $9.00
    Current price $9.00
  • Original price $12.00 - Original price $12.00
    Original price $12.00
    $12.00
    $12.00 - $12.00
    Current price $12.00

    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 ...

    View full details
    Original price $12.00 - Original price $12.00
    Original price $12.00
    $12.00
    $12.00 - $12.00
    Current price $12.00
  • Original price $20.00 - Original price $20.00
    Original price $20.00
    $20.00
    $20.00 - $20.00
    Current price $20.00

    Silver Diamond Cut Beads (7mm, Large Hole)

    in stock

    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...

    View full details
    Original price $20.00 - Original price $20.00
    Original price $20.00
    $20.00
    $20.00 - $20.00
    Current price $20.00
  • Original price $22.50 - Original price $22.50
    Original price $22.50
    $22.50
    $22.50 - $22.50
    Current price $22.50

    Brass Baule Sun Beads (26x19mm)

    in stock

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

    View full details
    Original price $22.50 - Original price $22.50
    Original price $22.50
    $22.50
    $22.50 - $22.50
    Current price $22.50
  • Original price $10.00 - Original price $10.00
    Original price $10.00
    $10.00
    $10.00 - $10.00
    Current price $10.00

    Brass Rondelle Beads (4.5mm)

    in stock

    This beautiful strand of high quality brass saucer beads measures approximately 24" in length. Individual beads measure approximately 3 x 4.5mm, wi...

    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 $20.00 - Original price $20.00
    Original price $20.00
    $20.00
    $20.00 - $20.00
    Current price $20.00

    Gold Crisp Heishi Beads (12mm)

    in stock

    Brighten up your designs with these useful Gold Disk Heishi Beads. The flat shape of these beads makes them highly versatile and they may be used a...

    View full details
    Original price $20.00 - Original price $20.00
    Original price $20.00
    $20.00
    $20.00 - $20.00
    Current price $20.00
  • Original price $16.50 - Original price $16.50
    Original price $16.50
    $16.50
    $16.50 - $16.50
    Current price $16.50

    Brass Nugget Beads (5x7mm)

    in stock

    Add a touch of vibrant shine to your DIY jewelry designs with these great Brass Nugget Beads. Take a closer look and you will notice each individua...

    View full details
    Original price $16.50 - Original price $16.50
    Original price $16.50
    $16.50
    $16.50 - $16.50
    Current price $16.50
  • Original price $8.00 - Original price $8.00
    Original price $8.00
    $8.00
    $8.00 - $8.00
    Current price $8.00

    Smooth Brass Rondelle Beads (5mm)

    in stock

    Take a look at these charming strands of high quality antique gold colored brass beads. These beads are highly versatile and make great spacers. Th...

    View full details
    Original price $8.00 - Original price $8.00
    Original price $8.00
    $8.00
    $8.00 - $8.00
    Current price $8.00
  • Original price $12.00 - Original price $12.00
    Original price $12.00
    $12.00
    $12.00 - $12.00
    Current price $12.00

    Copper Smooth Heishi Beads (3mm)

    in stock

    Take a look at this great strand of copper beads fashioned in a smooth heishi shape without any seam. Each strand is 24" inches long with approxima...

    View full details
    Original price $12.00 - Original price $12.00
    Original price $12.00
    $12.00
    $12.00 - $12.00
    Current price $12.00
  • Original price $9.00 - Original price $9.00
    Original price $9.00
    $9.00
    $9.00 - $9.00
    Current price $9.00

    Shiny Silver Patterned Gear Beads (3mm)

    in stock

    These Shiny Silver Gear Beads are a great way to add some shimmering texture to your jewelry projects. Each bead measures about 1 x 3mm with a stri...

    View full details
    Original price $9.00 - Original price $9.00
    Original price $9.00
    $9.00
    $9.00 - $9.00
    Current price $9.00
  • Original price $5.00 - Original price $5.00
    Original price $5.00
    $5.00
    $5.00 - $5.00
    Current price $5.00

    Shiny Silver Tiny Oval Beads (2mm)

    in stock

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

    View full details
    Original price $5.00 - Original price $5.00
    Original price $5.00
    $5.00
    $5.00 - $5.00
    Current price $5.00
  • 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

    Brass Rounded Rectangle Beads (6x5mm)

    in stock

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

    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
    Save 20% Save %
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.