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Metal Beads

  • Rounded Copper Cube Beads (3mm) - The Bead Chest
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    $18.23
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    Rounded Copper Cube Beads (3mm)

    in stock

    We are loving these beautiful strands of high quality antique copper beads. Each artisan strand measures in at about 24" in length. Each bead is ap...

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    $12.91
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  • Gold Interlocking Crisp Beads (6mm) - The Bead Chest
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    Gold Interlocking Crisp Beads (6mm)

    in stock

    Take a look at this great strand of gold color metal beads fashioned in a special heishi shape similar to potato crisps. Each strand is 16" long wi...

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  • Smooth Antiqued Brass Heishi Beads (5mm) - The Bead Chest
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    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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    $16.71 - $16.71
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  • Gold Round Sphere Beads (6mm) - The Bead Chest
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    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 ...

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    $18.23 - $18.23
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  • Brass Faceted Rectangle Beads (8x3mm) - The Bead Chest
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    Brass Faceted Rectangle Beads (8x3mm)

    in stock

    Beautiful strand of high quality, ethnic metal beads measuring 24" in length. Individual beads measure 3 x 8mm in size, with holes measuring approx...

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  • Silver Round Sphere Beads (6mm) - The Bead Chest
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    Silver Round Sphere Beads (6mm)

    in stock

    Admire these splendid strands of artisan white metal antique silver colored beads. These versatile spherical beads have many uses and can make for ...

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    $18.23 - $18.23
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  • Smooth Extra Large Brass Heishi Beads (6mm) - The Bead Chest
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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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    $18.98 - $18.98
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  • Gold Patterned Heishi Beads (3mm) - The Bead Chest
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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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  • Antiqued Brass Faceted Diamond Cut Beads (4mm) - The Bead Chest
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    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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  • Gold Interlocking Crisp Beads (4mm) - The Bead Chest
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    Gold 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...

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    $28.86 - $28.86
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  • Gold Seed Beads (3mm) - The Bead Chest
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    Gold Seed Beads (3mm)

    in stock

    Try adding these striking African metal gold colored seed beads to your jewelry making kit. Each artisan strand is about 24" in length. Each handcr...

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  • Brass Interlocking Crisp Beads (8mm) - The Bead Chest
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    Brass Interlocking Crisp Beads (8mm)

    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...

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  • Brass Saucer Beads (4mm) - The Bead Chest
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    Brass Saucer Beads (4mm)

    in stock

    These brass saucer beads are crafted to perfection. Measuring approximately 4mm in diameter, each of these small beads is fashioned in a compressed...

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  • Midnight Black Tiny Oval Beads (2mm) - The Bead Chest
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    Midnight Black 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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    $7.59 - $7.59
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  • Copper Round Sphere Beads (6mm) - The Bead Chest
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    Copper Round Sphere Beads (6mm)

    in stock

    Take a moment and admire these truly delightful strands of antiqued copper metal beads. These handcrafted beads are truly versatile and make for gr...

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  • Striped Brass Bicone Beads - The Bead Chest
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    $36.45
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    $31.89
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    Striped Brass Bicone Beads

    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 45 beads measuring 8...

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    $36.45
    $31.89
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    $31.89
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  • Brass Nugget Beads (5x7mm) - The Bead Chest
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    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...

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    $25.06 - $25.06
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  • Brass Double Heishi Beads (2mm) - The Bead Chest
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    Brass Double Heishi 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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    $7.59 - $7.59
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  • Shiny Silver Cube Beads (3mm) - The Bead Chest
    $18.23 - $18.23
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    Shiny Silver Cube Beads (3mm)

    in stock

    Take a look at this great strand of white metal beads fashioned in a cube shape. Each strand is 24" inches long with approximately 180 beads measur...

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  • Smooth Silver Heishi Beads (3mm) - The Bead Chest
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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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    $15.49
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  • Smooth Brass Rondelle Beads (5mm) - The Bead Chest
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    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...

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  • Shiny Silver Diamond Cut Beads (7mm, Large Hole) - The Bead Chest
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    Shiny Silver Diamond Cut Beads (7mm, Large Hole)

    Only 10 left!

    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...

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    $30.38 - $30.38
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  • Copper Seed Beads (3mm) - The Bead Chest
    $11.39 - $11.39
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    Copper Seed Beads (3mm)

    in stock

    Take a look at these beautiful strands of African Copper Seed Beads. Copper Seed Beads like this are perfect as a spacer bead and even look good wh...

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    $11.39 - $11.39
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  • Tiny Silver Rounded Rectangle Beads (2mm) - The Bead Chest
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    $11.39
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    $7.59
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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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    $11.39
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    $7.59
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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.