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Metal Beads

  • Kenya Brass Heishi Beads - The Bead Chest
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    $11.38
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    $8.72
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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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    $11.38
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    $11.38
    $8.72
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    $8.72
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  • Kenya White Metal Heishi Beads - The Bead Chest
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    $12.89
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    $12.89
    $7.58
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    $7.58

    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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    $12.89
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    $12.89
    $7.58
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  • Kenya Copper Heishi Beads - The Bead Chest
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    $12.89
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    $12.89
    $7.58
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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 16" long, with beads measuring 1mm in width and 3-4mm in diameter.

    $12.89
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    $12.89
    $7.58
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    $7.58
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  • Ethiopian Brass Bicone Beads (8x7mm) - The Bead Chest
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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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    $18.20 - $18.20
    $18.20
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    $18.20
  • Brass-Style Ghana Glass Seed Beads - The Bead Chest
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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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    $6.07 - $6.07
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  • Diamond Cut Faceted Gold Color Beads (3mm) - The Bead Chest
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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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    $18.20 - $18.20
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  • Silver Melon Beads (6mm) - The Bead Chest
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    Silver Melon Beads (6mm)

    in stock

    These cute silver beads are designed to mimic watermelons. Each bead measures approximately 6 x 6mm with a hole size of approximately 2mm. You will...

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  • Silver Rounded Rectangle Beads (3x2mm) - The Bead Chest
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    Silver Rounded Rectangle Beads (3x2mm)

    in stock

    Take a look at this great strand of white metal beads fashioned in a cube shape. Each strand is 25" inches long with approximately 230 beads measur...

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  • Ethiopian White Metal Bicone Beads (8x7mm) - The Bead Chest
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    $21.24
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    $18.20
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    Ethiopian White Metal Bicone Beads (8x7mm)

    in stock

    Take a look at these Ethiopian White Metal beads from Africa. Each bead is handmade individually. The strand is a long 27-30", with beads measuri...

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    $21.24
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    $21.24
    $18.20
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    $18.20
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  • Silver Faceted Diamond Cut Beads (3mm) - The Bead Chest
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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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    $18.20 - $18.20
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  • Gold Flat Disk Heishi Beads (6mm) - The Bead Chest
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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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    $25.03 - $25.03
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  • Round Brass Ethiopian Beads (8mm) - The Bead Chest
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    Round Brass Ethiopian Beads (8mm)

    in stock

    Here is a beautiful strand of Ethiopian Brass Round Bicone from Africa. Each bead is handmade individually. The strand is a long approx. 28", wi...

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    $22.75 - $22.75
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  • Silver Rectangular Tube Ethiopian Beads (5x2mm) - The Bead Chest
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    $15.17
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    Silver Rectangular Tube Ethiopian Beads (5x2mm)

    in stock

    Admire this great strand of silver beads from Ethiopia fashioned in an unusual rectangular tube shape. This is a creative twist on the cylindrical ...

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    $12.14
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    $12.14
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  • Antiqued Brass Tiny Oval Beads (2mm) - The Bead Chest
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    Antiqued Brass Tiny Oval Beads (2mm)

    in 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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    $7.58 - $7.58
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  • Ethiopian Elongated White Metal Bicone Beads (9x6mm) - The Bead Chest
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    Ethiopian Elongated White Metal Bicone Beads (9x6mm)

    in stock

    Beautiful strand of Elongated White Metal Bicone Beads from Ethiopia! The strand measures 29" in length, and beads measure approximately 5-6mm in d...

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    $21.24 - $21.24
    $21.24
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  • Round Brass Ethiopian Beads (6-7mm) - The Bead Chest
    $22.75 - $22.75
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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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    $22.75 - $22.75
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    $22.75
  • Silver Tiny Oval Beads (2mm) - The Bead Chest
    $7.58 - $7.58
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    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 ...

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    $7.58 - $7.58
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  • Folded Brass Tube Ethiopian Beads (4x3mm) - The Bead Chest
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    Folded Brass Tube Ethiopian Beads (4x3mm)

    in stock

    Beautiful strand of small folded brass tube beads from Ethiopia! The long strand is 28" in length, and individual beads measure approximately 4mm i...

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    $12.89 - $12.89
    $12.89
    $12.89
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    $12.89
  • Smooth Extra Large Gold Heishi Beads (6mm) - The Bead Chest
    $18.96 - $18.96
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    Smooth Extra Large Gold Heishi Beads (6mm)

    in 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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    $18.96 - $18.96
    $18.96
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    $18.96
  • Tiny Diamond Cut Faceted Antiqued Brass Beads (2mm) - The Bead Chest
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    Tiny Diamond Cut Faceted Antiqued Brass Beads (2mm)

    in stock

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

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    $18.20 - $18.20
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    $18.20
  • Shiny Silver Tiny Oval Beads (2mm) - The Bead Chest
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    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 ...

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    $7.58 - $7.58
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  • Diamond Cut Faceted Antiqued Brass Beads (3mm) - The Bead Chest
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    Diamond Cut Faceted Antiqued Brass Beads (3mm)

    in stock

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

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    $18.20 - $18.20
    $18.20
    $18.20
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    $18.20
  • White Metal Tube Ethiopian Beads (7x3mm) - The Bead Chest
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    $17.90
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    $12.14
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    White Metal Tube Ethiopian Beads (7x3mm)

    in stock

    Beautiful strand of white metal tube beads from Ethiopia!

    $17.90
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    $12.14
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    $12.14
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  • Smooth Silver Rondelle Beads (5mm) - The Bead Chest
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    Smooth Silver Rondelle Beads (5mm)

    in 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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    $12.14 - $12.14
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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.