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  • Original price $11.69 - Original price $11.69
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    Current price $11.69

    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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    Current price $11.69
  • Original price $19.49 - Original price $19.49
    Original price $19.49
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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 $19.49 - Original price $19.49
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  • Original price $12.47
    Original price $12.47 - Original price $12.47
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    Current price $10.60
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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 $12.47
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    Original price $12.47
    Current price $10.60
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    Current price $10.60
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  • Original price $11.69 - Original price $11.69
    Original price $11.69
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    Current price $11.69

    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 $11.69 - Original price $11.69
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    Current price $11.69
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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 $11.69 - Original price $11.69
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    Current price $11.69
  • Original price $15.59 - Original price $15.59
    Original price $15.59
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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 $15.59 - Original price $15.59
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  • Original price $12.47 - Original price $12.47
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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 $12.47 - Original price $12.47
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  • Original price $24.94
    Original price $24.94 - Original price $24.94
    Original price $24.94
    Current price $12.47
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    Current price $12.47

    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 $24.94
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    Original price $24.94
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  • Original price $18.71 - Original price $18.71
    Original price $18.71
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    Current price $18.71

    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 $18.71 - Original price $18.71
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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 $25.72 - Original price $25.72
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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 $25.72 - Original price $25.72
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  • Original price $18.71 - Original price $18.71
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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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    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 $7.78 - Original price $7.78
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    Silver Woven Filigree Elbow Bead (59x23mm)

    in stock

    Take a closer look at this intricately crafted silver filigree pendant bead. This particular design originates from the Ashanti people of Ghana, We...

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    Original price $7.78 - Original price $7.78
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  • Original price $15.59 - Original price $15.59
    Original price $15.59
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    Antiqued Brass Patterned Heishi Beads (3mm)

    in stock

    Take a look at this great strand of brass beads fashioned in a heishi shape. Each strand is 27" inches long with approximately 338 beads measuring ...

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    Original price $15.59 - Original price $15.59
    Original price $15.59
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    Current price $15.59
  • Original price $24.94
    Original price $24.94 - Original price $24.94
    Original price $24.94
    Current price $12.47
    $12.47 - $12.47
    Current price $12.47

    Silver Flat Disk Heishi Beads (2mm)

    in stock

    These minimal Silver Disk Heishi Beads will make a useful addition to your jewelry design kit. Each bead measures approximately 0.3 x 2mm, with a h...

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    Original price $24.94
    Original price $24.94 - Original price $24.94
    Original price $24.94
    Current price $12.47
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    Current price $12.47
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  • Original price $25.72 - Original price $25.72
    Original price $25.72
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    Current price $25.72

    Antiqued Brass Faceted Diamond Cut Beads (4mm)

    in stock

    Take a look at this great strand of brass beads fashioned in a cornerless cube shape. Each strand is 24" inches long with approximately 140 beads m...

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    Original price $25.72 - Original price $25.72
    Original price $25.72
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    Current price $25.72
  • Original price $11.69 - Original price $11.69
    Original price $11.69
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    Current price $11.69

    Copper Tube Beads (1.5mm)

    in stock

    These fine quality tube beads are narrow and relatively consistent in shape. Each bead measures approximately 11 x 1.5mm with a hole size of approx...

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    Original price $11.69 - Original price $11.69
    Original price $11.69
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    Current price $11.69
  • Original price $23.38 - Original price $23.38
    Original price $23.38
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    Shiny Silver Smooth Rondelle Beads (6mm)

    Only 10 left!

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

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    Original price $23.38 - Original price $23.38
    Original price $23.38
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    Current price $23.38
  • Original price $11.69
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    Original price $11.69
    Current price $7.79
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    Tiny Silver Rounded Rectangle Beads (2mm)

    in stock

    Take a look at this great strand of white metal beads fashioned in a rectangle shape. Each strand is 25" inches long with approximately 310 beads m...

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    Original price $11.69
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    Original price $11.69
    Current price $7.79
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    Current price $7.79
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  • Original price $23.38
    Original price $23.38 - Original price $23.38
    Original price $23.38
    Current price $15.59
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    Current price $15.59

    Gold Bamboo-Shaped Beads (12x5mm)

    in stock

    Take a look at this great strand of brass beads fashioned in a tube shape. Each strand is 24" inches long with approximately 50 beads measuring 12 ...

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    Original price $23.38
    Original price $23.38 - Original price $23.38
    Original price $23.38
    Current price $15.59
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    Current price $15.59
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  • Original price $18.71 - Original price $18.71
    Original price $18.71
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    Current price $18.71

    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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    Original price $18.71 - Original price $18.71
    Original price $18.71
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    Current price $18.71
  • Original price $17.15
    Original price $17.15 - Original price $17.15
    Original price $17.15
    Current price $14.58
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    Current price $14.58

    Smooth Antiqued Brass Heishi Beads (5mm)

    in stock

    Take a look at this great strand of brass beads fashioned in a heishi shape. Each strand is 16 inches long with approximately 240 beads measuring 1...

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    Original price $17.15
    Original price $17.15 - Original price $17.15
    Original price $17.15
    Current price $14.58
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    Current price $14.58
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  • Original price $3.10 - Original price $3.10
    Original price $3.10
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    Current price $3.10

    Bicone Brass Filigree Bead (26x14mm)

    in stock

    Admire these exceptional brass beads made in a design that originates from the Ashanti people of Ghana, West Africa. The Ashanti are the largest t...

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    Original price $3.10 - Original price $3.10
    Original price $3.10
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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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