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African Tribal Beads

  • 10mm Berber Silver Bicone Beads (Set of 10) - The Bead Chest
    $15.33 - $15.33
    $15.33
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    10mm Berber Silver Bicone Beads (Set of 10)

    in stock

    Simple and elegant, these cute artisanal Berber Beads are individually crafted. Patterned in a traditional design, they would add a beautiful touch...

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    $15.33 - $15.33
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  • Tribal Pink Cylinder Krobo Beads - The Bead Chest
    Sold out
    $18.40 - $18.40
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    Tribal Pink Cylinder Krobo Beads

    Out of stock

    A beautiful strand of powder glass African beads, made by the people of Krobo Mountain in Ghana, West Africa. Many designs of Krobo beads are patte...

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    $18.40 - $18.40
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  • Rectangular Berber Ornament (36 x 19mm) - The Bead Chest
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    $9.20 - $9.20
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    Rectangular Berber Ornament (36 x 19mm)

    Out of stock

    This small Berber pendant has been accented with colorful enamel work in a whimsical Berber design. Great as a charm, pendant, or accent to any jew...

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    $9.20 - $9.20
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  • Red Kente Krobo Beads (14mm) - The Bead Chest
    $18.40 - $18.40
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    Red Kente Krobo Beads (14mm)

    in stock

    A beautiful strand of powder glass African beads, made by the people of Krobo Mountain in Ghana, West Africa. Many designs of Krobo beads are patte...

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    $18.40 - $18.40
    $18.40
    $18.40
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    $18.40
  • Old Red Kenya Turkana Beads - The Bead Chest
    $18.40 - $18.40
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    Old Red Kenya Turkana Beads

    Only 3 left!

    These authentic red Turkhana beads were worn by the people of northwest Kenya. Less prominent but slightly more numbers than the Maasai, the Turkan...

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    $18.40 - $18.40
    $18.40
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    $18.40 - $18.40
    $18.40
  • Blue-Green Enamel Berber Beads (Set of 2) - The Bead Chest
    $15.33 - $15.33
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    Blue-Green Enamel Berber Beads (Set of 2)

    in stock

    These silver-plated metal Berber beads are decorated with intricate wire designs and colorful blue and green enamel. They measure 22 mm in diameter...

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    $15.33 - $15.33
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  • Triangle Enameled Berber Pendant - The Bead Chest
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    Triangle Enameled Berber Pendant

    Out of stock

    This handmade Berber pendant has been accented with colorful enamel in traditional geometric design. Each pendant is unique and may show minor vari...

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    $18.40 - $18.40
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  • Moroccan Berber Silver Bead Pendant with Tassels - The Bead Chest
    $21.47 - $21.47
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    Moroccan Berber Silver Bead Pendant with Tassels

    in stock

    Beautiful unique silver-plated Moroccan bead with tassels. Each bead has been handcrafted and is a little bit different. Size is approximately 30 x...

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    $21.47 - $21.47
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  • Light Blue Kente Krobo Beads (14mm) - The Bead Chest
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    Light Blue Kente Krobo Beads (14mm)

    in stock

    A beautiful strand of powder glass African beads, made by the people of Krobo Mountain in Ghana, West Africa. Many designs of Krobo beads are patte...

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    $18.40 - $18.40
    $18.40
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  • Authentic Jewish Berber Star of David Pendant - The Bead Chest
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    $38.33 - $38.33
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    Authentic Jewish Berber Star of David Pendant

    Out of stock

    This unusual Berber pendant has been crafted using centuries-old techniques refined through the ages by by Jewish metal smiths. Jews are known to h...

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    $38.33 - $38.33
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  • Grey Eye Krobo Beads - The Bead Chest
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    Grey Eye Krobo Beads

    in stock

    A beautiful strand of powder glass African beads, made by the people of Krobo Mountain in Ghana, West Africa. Many designs of Krobo beads are patte...

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    $18.40 - $18.40
    $18.40
    $18.40
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    $18.40
  • Clear Annular Wound Dogon Beads (24mm) - The Bead Chest
    Sold out
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    Clear Annular Wound Dogon Beads (24mm)

    Out of stock

    Fabulous strand of annular wound trade beads also known as "Dutch Donuts". Beads such as these are said to have traveled at least three continents ...

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    $52.13 - $52.13
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  • Rectangular Enameled Berber Pendant (Large) - The Bead Chest
    $17.63 - $17.63
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    Rectangular Enameled Berber Pendant (Large)

    in stock

    This rectangular enameled Berber pedant will add a colorful twist to any necklace. May be worn 'as is' or as part of a unique design. Each pendant ...

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    $17.63 - $17.63
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  • Black Kente Krobo Beads (11mm) - The Bead Chest
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    Black Kente Krobo Beads (11mm)

    in stock

    A beautiful strand of powder glass African beads, made by the people of Krobo Mountain in Ghana, West Africa. Many designs of Krobo beads are patte...

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    $19.17 - $19.17
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  • Jumbo Painted Krobo Glass Beads (Tribal Pattern) - The Bead Chest
    Save 16% Save %
    $52.90
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    $44.46
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    Jumbo Painted Krobo Glass Beads (Tribal Pattern)

    Only 10 left!

    Admire these unique and unusually large painted glass beads made by artisans from the Krobo tribe in Ghana. These beads resemble old fancy trade be...

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    $52.90
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    $44.46
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    Save 16% Save %
  • Antique Blue Glass Dogon Donut Beads - The Bead Chest
    Sold out
    $98.13 - $98.13
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    Antique Blue Glass Dogon Donut Beads

    Out of stock

    Admire these beautiful antique blue glass beads made by members of the West African Dogon tribe. Beads such as these are becoming increasingly diff...

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    $98.13 - $98.13
    $98.13
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  • Artisanal Enameled Round Silver Berber Beads (3 pieces) - The Bead Chest
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    $23.00 - $23.00
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    Artisanal Enameled Round Silver Berber Beads (3 pieces)

    Out of stock

    These colorful round Berber beads showcase the unique metalwork that is characteristic of North Africa. Each bead may vary slightly and is sold as ...

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    $23.00 - $23.00
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  • Green Eye Krobo Beads - The Bead Chest
    Sold out
    $18.40
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    $15.33
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    $15.33

    Green Eye Krobo Beads

    Out of stock

    A beautiful strand of powder glass African beads, made by the people of Krobo Mountain in Ghana, West Africa. Many designs of Krobo beads are patte...

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    $18.40
    $18.40 - $18.40
    $18.40
    $15.33
    $15.33 - $15.33
    $15.33
    Sold out
  • Brass Berber Spiral Pendant (90x60mm) - The Bead Chest
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    Brass Berber Spiral Pendant (90x60mm)

    Out of stock

    This special pendant was hand-casted in a traditional Berber design. The piece is of exceptional quality. Measuring approximately 90 x 60mm, the pe...

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    $18.40 - $18.40
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  • Green Rectangular Enameled Berber Pendant - The Bead Chest
    Sold out
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    Green Rectangular Enameled Berber Pendant

    Out of stock

    This rectangular enameled Berber pedant will add a colorful twist to any necklace. May be worn 'as is' or as part of a unique design. Each pendant ...

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    $18.40 - $18.40
    $18.40
    $18.40
    $18.40 - $18.40
    $18.40
    Sold out
  • Rectangular Semisphere Berber Ornament (34x19mm) - The Bead Chest
    $9.20 - $9.20
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    Rectangular Semisphere Berber Ornament (34x19mm)

    Only 1 left!

    This small Berber pendant has been accented with colorful enamel work in a traditional geometric design. Great as a charm, pendant, or accent to an...

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    $9.20 - $9.20
    $9.20
    $9.20
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    $9.20
  • Teal Tic-Tac-Toe Krobo Beads - The Bead Chest
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    Teal Tic-Tac-Toe Krobo Beads

    Out of stock

    A beautiful strand of powder glass African beads, made by the people of Krobo Mountain in Ghana, West Africa. Many designs of Krobo beads are patte...

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    $18.40 - $18.40
    $18.40
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  • Flat Mali Wedding Beads - The Bead Chest
    Sold out
    $130.32
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    $90.46
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    Flat Mali Wedding Beads

    Out of stock

    These colorful beads are commonly known as Mali Wedding Beads. They were original produced in the former Czechoslavakia and subsequently traded in ...

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    $130.32
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    $90.46
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  • Old Black Kenya Turkana Beads - The Bead Chest
    $18.40 - $18.40
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    $18.40

    Old Black Kenya Turkana Beads

    in stock

    These authentic black Turkhana beads were worn by the people of northwest Kenya. Less prominent but slightly more numbers than the Maasai, the Turk...

    View full details
    $18.40 - $18.40
    $18.40
    $18.40
    $18.40 - $18.40
    $18.40

Looking to add a unique look and touch of artisan quality to your jewelry designs? Well, you’ve made it to the right place! Here at The Bead Chest we offer a vast array of African Tribal Beads and African Pendants! From our shining African brass beads and pendants to our striking African glass beads and from our bright multi colored strands to our African white metal beads we have hundreds of items and options for you to choose from! 

Since the dawn of time African Tribal beads and jewelry have been highly valuable and sought after in regions all across Africa. Some historians and archaeologists say that people in Africa have been using beads since as far back as 75,000 years ago! Tribal beads have been found at various archaeological dig sites in places like Sudan, Kenya, Ghana, Libya, Tanzania, Egypt and Morocco. African Tribal beads over the years have been used for many different purposes. In the past the Turkana people used tribal beads as a form of currency. Throughout history tribal beads have been incorporated into fashion, artwork, pottery and sculptures. Before the 4th century most African Tribal beads were made with local raw materials. White beads were made from clay, shell, ivory and bone. Black beads were made from iron, charcoal, seeds, horn and clay, Red beads came from various woods, seeds, bone, ivory, copper and brass. Many believe that at some point during the 4th century glass beads were introduced into African Tribal communities by the Portuguese. During the 4th century glass beads became a dominant source of currency in African Tribal culture that lasted almost over 700 years. 

There are many different types of prominent African Tribal beads. Camel and Cow bone tribal beads are commonly crafted in places like Kenya. African bone beads are great for carving designs into and are often used as home decoration pieces. Tribal African trade beads/venetian beads are known for their colorful and varying patterns. Recycled glass beads are said to originate from the Krobo tribes in Ghana. Recycled glass beads come in almost every color and are very popular to be worn as jewelry and as home decor pieces. Shell beads have a rich history of use throughout Africa's history! Tribal shell beads are now used as home decoration and lovely jewelry pieces. Baule brass beads come from the Ivory Coast and historically were used as weights for measuring amounts of gold and silver. Terracotta and clay African beads come straight from the earth and are made by master artisans. Many tribes and individual artisans today in places like Uganda make beads out of recycled paper and old phono vinyl records.

African Tribal beads are truly inspiring and make for the perfect beads when creating jewelry masterpieces. Now that you know a little more about the history and types of African Tribal beads we offer here, please take your time to browse this curated section of tribal beads! We know that you’re going to be able to find hundreds of great options for your next big jewelry design project.