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Metal Beads

  • Original price $11.66
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    Current price $8.94
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    Kenya Brass Heishi Beads

    in stock

    Take a look at this strand of Kenya Brass Heishi beads from Africa. The strand is 13"-15" long, with beads measuring 1 mm in length and 3-4mm in d...

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    Original price $11.66
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    Original price $11.66
    Current price $8.94
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    Current price $8.94
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  • Original price $9.33 - Original price $9.33
    Original price $9.33
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    Polished Silver Prayer Beads

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    Admire this beautiful set of silver color prayer beads, polished to perfection. These high quality adornments have an ethnic feel, and are sure to ...

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    Original price $9.33 - Original price $9.33
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  • Original price $44.31
    Original price $44.31 - Original price $44.31
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    Current price $29.54
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    Brass Donut Beads (10mm)

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    Take a look at this great strand of brass beads fashioned in a ring shape. Each strand is 10" inches long with beads measuring 2 x 10mm. These grea...

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    Original price $44.31
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    Original price $44.31
    Current price $29.54
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  • Original price $7.76
    Original price $7.76 - Original price $7.76
    Original price $7.76
    Current price $1.54
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    Antiqued Brass Bell Beads (Set of 20)

    in stock

    These cute metal bells are great for DIY jewelry and crafts alike. Measuring approximately 11 x 11mm in size, you will receive 20 bells per purchas...

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    Original price $7.76
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    Current price $1.54
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  • Original price $13.22
    Original price $13.22 - Original price $13.22
    Original price $13.22
    Current price $7.77
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    Kenya White Metal Heishi Beads

    in stock

    Take a look at this strand of Kenya White Heishi beads from Africa. The strand is 12" long, with beads measuring 1mm wide and approximately 4mm in...

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    Original price $13.22
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    Original price $13.22
    Current price $7.77
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    Current price $7.77
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  • Original price $13.22
    Original price $13.22 - Original price $13.22
    Original price $13.22
    Current price $7.77
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    Kenya Copper Heishi Beads

    in stock

    Take a look at this strand of Kenya Copper Heishi beads from Africa. The strand is 12" long, with beads measuring 1mm in width and 3-4mm in diameter.

    Original price $13.22
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    Original price $13.22
    Current price $7.77
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  • Original price $19.44 - Original price $19.44
    Original price $19.44
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    Smooth Extra Large Brass Heishi Beads (6mm)

    in stock

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

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    Original price $19.44 - Original price $19.44
    Original price $19.44
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    Current price $19.44
  • Original price $11.66 - Original price $11.66
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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 $11.66 - Original price $11.66
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  • Original price $6.22 - Original price $6.22
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    Brass-Style Ghana Glass Seed Beads

    in stock

    Beautiful strand of brass glass seed beads from Ghana, strung on a traditional raffia string. Each bead measures approximately 3-4 x 4mm with stran...

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    Original price $6.22 - Original price $6.22
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  • Original price $12.44
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    Original price $12.44
    Current price $10.57
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    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...

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    Original price $12.44
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    Original price $12.44
    Current price $10.57
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  • Original price $11.66 - Original price $11.66
    Original price $11.66
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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 $11.66 - Original price $11.66
    Original price $11.66
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    Traditional 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 $11.66 - Original price $11.66
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  • Original price $12.44 - Original price $12.44
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    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 ...

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    Original price $12.44 - Original price $12.44
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  • Original price $15.55 - Original price $15.55
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    Gold Patterned Heishi Beads (3mm)

    in stock

    Take a look at this great strand of gold beads fashioned in a heishi shape. Each strand is 26" inches long with approximately 340 beads measuring 2...

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    Original price $15.55 - Original price $15.55
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  • Original price $23.32 - Original price $23.32
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    Round Brass Ethiopian Beads (6-7mm)

    in stock

    Here is a beautiful strand of Ethiopian Brass Round Beads from Africa. Each bead is handmade individually. The strand is a long approx. 30", with b...

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    Original price $23.32 - Original price $23.32
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  • Original price $18.66 - Original price $18.66
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    Ethiopian Brass Bicone Beads (8x7mm)

    in stock

    Here is a beautiful strand of Ethiopian Brass Bicone from Africa. Each bead is handmade individually. The strand is a long 30", with beads measur...

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    Original price $18.66 - Original price $18.66
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    Current price $18.66
  • Original price $24.88
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    Current price $10.57
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    Brass Flat Disk Heishi Beads (2mm)

    in stock

    Take a look at this great strand of brass beads fashioned in a special heishi shape. Each bead measures approximately 0.3 x 2mm, with a hole size o...

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    Original price $24.88
    Original price $24.88 - Original price $24.88
    Original price $24.88
    Current price $10.57
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  • Original price $18.66 - Original price $18.66
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    Silver Faceted Diamond Cut Beads (3mm)

    in stock

    These diamond cut beads, also commonly referred to as corner less cube beads, measure approximately 3 x 3mm in size, with a hole size of 2mm. Each ...

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    Original price $18.66 - Original price $18.66
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    Smooth Brass Seed Beads (3mm)

    in stock

    Beautiful strand of high quality, ethnic brass beads measuring 25" in length. Individual beads measure 2x3mm in size, with holes measuring. Each st...

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  • Original price $6.20 - Original price $6.20
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    Inlaid Nepali Round Brass Beads (10mm, set of 4)

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    This Nepali beads are made by designing a brass core, and then inlaying it with turquoise and coral stone. Each bead measures approximately 11 x 11...

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    Original price $6.20 - Original price $6.20
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  • Original price $25.65 - Original price $25.65
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    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...

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    Original price $25.65 - Original price $25.65
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  • Original price $24.57 - Original price $24.57
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    Round White Metal Ethiopian Beads (8mm)

    in stock

    Here is a beautiful strand of Ethiopian White Metal Round Beads from Africa. Each bead is handmade individually. The strand is a long approx. 28", ...

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    Original price $24.57 - Original price $24.57
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  • Original price $18.66 - Original price $18.66
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    Smooth Silver Heishi Beads (3mm)

    in stock

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

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    Original price $18.66 - Original price $18.66
    Original price $18.66
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    Diamond Cut Faceted Gold Color Beads (3mm)

    in stock

    Beautiful strand of faceted gold beads. These beads have been fashioned to resemble a diamond cut. They will add a glamorous touch to your beaded j...

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    Original price $18.66 - Original price $18.66
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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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