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Metal Beads

  • Brass Rounded Rectangle Beads (2mm) - The Bead Chest
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    $11.39
    $11.39 - $11.39
    $11.39
    $7.59
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    $7.59

    Brass Rounded Rectangle Beads (2mm)

    Out of stock

    Take a look at this great strand of brass beads fashioned in a cube shape. Each strand is 22" inches long with approximately 288 beads measuring ap...

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    $11.39
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    $11.39
    $7.59
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  • Copper Saucer Beads (4mm) - The Bead Chest
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    $15.19 - $15.19
    $15.19
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    Copper Saucer Beads (4mm)

    Out of stock

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

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    $15.19 - $15.19
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  • Copper Rondelle Beads (4mm) - The Bead Chest
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    $15.19 - $15.19
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    Copper Rondelle Beads (4mm)

    Out of stock

    This beautiful strand of high quality copper saucer beads measures approximately 24" in length. Individual beads measure approximately 3 x 4-5mm, w...

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    $15.19 - $15.19
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  • Brass Tube Beads (1.5mm) - The Bead Chest
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    $11.39 - $11.39
    $11.39
    $11.39
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    $11.39

    Brass Tube Beads (1.5mm)

    Out of 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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    $11.39 - $11.39
    $11.39
    $11.39
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  • Brass Beveled Barrel Beads - The Bead Chest
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    $22.78
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    $22.78
    $21.26
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    $21.26

    Brass Beveled Barrel Beads

    Out of stock

    Beautiful strand of high quality, ethnic brass beads measuring 24" in length. Individual beads measure 6x5mm in size, with holes measuring . Each s...

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    $22.78
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    $22.78
    $21.26
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    $21.26
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  • Ethiopian Silver Saucer Beads (20mm) - The Bead Chest
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    $74.42 - $74.42
    $74.42
    $74.42
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    Ethiopian Silver Saucer Beads (20mm)

    Out of stock

    These great saucer-shaped beads are bold and versatile. Each bead measures approximately 14 x 20mm, with a hole size of 2mm. Strands measure 24" in...

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    $74.42 - $74.42
    $74.42
    $74.42
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  • Gold Double Heishi Beads (3mm) - The Bead Chest
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    $18.23 - $18.23
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    Gold Double Heishi Beads (3mm)

    Out of stock

    Take a look at this great strand of brass beads fashioned in a cylinder shape. Each strand is 26" inches long with approximately 240 beads measurin...

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    $18.23 - $18.23
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  • Antiqued Brass Wide Saucer Beads (4x7mm) - The Bead Chest
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    $25.06 - $25.06
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    Antiqued Brass Wide Saucer Beads (4x7mm)

    Out of stock

    Take a look at this great strand of antiqued brass beads fashioned in a saucer shape. Each strand is 24" inches long with approximately 160 beads m...

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    $25.06 - $25.06
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  • Brass Circular Hollow Tribal Beads (18mm) - The Bead Chest
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    $89.61
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    $89.61
    $74.42
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    Brass Circular Hollow Tribal Beads (18mm)

    Out of stock

    Admire this unusual strand of tribal brass beads. Look carefully to see the high quality of the workmanship, smooth finish, and rustic character. T...

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    $89.61
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    $89.61
    $74.42
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    $74.42
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  • Brass Rectangular Hollow Tribal Beads (24x16mm) - The Bead Chest
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    $89.61
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    $89.61
    $74.42
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    Brass Rectangular Hollow Tribal Beads (24x16mm)

    Out of stock

    Admire this unusual strand of tribal brass beads. Look carefully to see the high quality of the workmanship, smooth finish, and rustic character. T...

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    $89.61
    $89.61 - $89.61
    $89.61
    $74.42
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  • Smooth Antiqued Brass Bicone Beads (8x7mm) - The Bead Chest
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    $22.78 - $22.78
    $22.78
    $22.78
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    Smooth Antiqued Brass Bicone Beads (8x7mm)

    Out of stock

    Take a look at this great strand of brass beads fashioned in a bicone shape. Each strand is 24" inches long with approximately 80 beads measuring 8...

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    $22.78 - $22.78
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    $22.78
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  • Silver Wide Saucer Beads (4x7mm) - The Bead Chest
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    $25.06 - $25.06
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    Silver Wide Saucer Beads (4x7mm)

    Out of stock

    Beautiful strand of high quality, ethnic white metal beads measuring 24" in length. Individual beads measure 4 x 6-7mm in size, with holes measurin...

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    $25.06 - $25.06
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  • Ethiopian Copper Saucer Beads (8mm) - The Bead Chest
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    $74.42 - $74.42
    $74.42
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    Ethiopian Copper Saucer Beads (8mm)

    Out of stock

    These great saucer-shaped beads are bold and versatile. Each bead measures approximately 6 x 8mm, with a hole size of 2mm. Strands measure 24" inch...

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    $74.42 - $74.42
    $74.42
    $74.42
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    $74.42
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  • Jumbo Silver Mali Bicone Beads (26x20mm) - The Bead Chest
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    $74.42 - $74.42
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    Jumbo Silver Mali Bicone Beads (26x20mm)

    Out of stock

    These great bicone-shaped beads are bold and versatile. Each bead measures approximately 26 x 19-20mm, with a hole size of 6mm. Strands measure 24"...

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    $74.42 - $74.42
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  • Mursi-Style Aluminum Cube Beads (10mm) - The Bead Chest
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    $44.05 - $44.05
    $44.05
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    $44.05

    Mursi-Style Aluminum Cube Beads (10mm)

    Out of stock

    These tribal aluminum beads are made in a design traditional to the Mursi people. The Mursi are a pastoralist tribe who live in various parts of Et...

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    $44.05 - $44.05
    $44.05
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  • Silver Mursi Ring Beads (10mm) - The Bead Chest
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    $44.05 - $44.05
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    Silver Mursi Ring Beads (10mm)

    Out of stock

    Take a look at this great strand of white metal Mursi rings. Fashioned in a traditional tribal design, each strand is 16" inches long with approxim...

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    $44.05 - $44.05
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  • Rounded Rectangle Brass Beads (3x2.5mm) - The Bead Chest
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    $12.15 - $12.15
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    Rounded Rectangle Brass Beads (3x2.5mm)

    Out of stock

    Take a look at this great strand of brass beads fashioned in a rectangle shape. Each strand is 24" inches long with approximately 150 beads measuri...

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    $12.15 - $12.15
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  • Rounded Rectangle Brass Beads (4x3mm) - The Bead Chest
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    Rounded Rectangle Brass Beads (4x3mm)

    Out of stock

    Take a look at this great strand of brass beads fashioned in a rectangle shape. Each strand is 19" inches long with approximately 100 beads measuri...

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    $12.15 - $12.15
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  • Brass Diamond Cut Beads (5mm) - The Bead Chest
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    Brass Diamond Cut Beads (5mm)

    Out of stock

    Take a look at this great strand of brass beads fashioned in a cube shape. Each strand is 20" inches long with approximately 80 beads measuring 5 x...

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    $22.78 - $22.78
    $22.78
    $22.78
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    $22.78
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  • Antique Silver Flat Disk Heishi Beads (4mm) - The Bead Chest
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    $28.86 - $28.86
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    Antique Silver Flat Disk Heishi Beads (4mm)

    Out of stock

    Take a moment to admire these chic silver disk heishi beads. The flat shape of these heishi beads makes them a fun and handy bead to use when creat...

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    $28.86 - $28.86
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    $28.86
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  • Antique Silver Flat Disk Heishi Beads (8mm) - The Bead Chest
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    $40.25 - $40.25
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    Antique Silver Flat Disk Heishi Beads (8mm)

    Out of stock

    Take a moment to admire these chic silver disk heishi beads. The flat shape of these heishi beads makes them a fun and handy bead to use when creat...

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    $40.25 - $40.25
    $40.25
    $40.25
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    $40.25
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  • Ethiopian Bezeled Silver Saucer Beads (18mm, 24 Inch Strand) - The Bead Chest
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    $89.61
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    $89.61
    $82.01
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    $82.01

    Ethiopian Bezeled Silver Saucer Beads (18mm, 24 Inch Strand)

    Out of stock

    These great silver saucer-shaped beads are bold and versatile. Each bead measures approximately 11-12 x 18mm, with a hole size of 2mm. Strands meas...

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    $89.61
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    $89.61
    $82.01
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    $82.01
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  • Copper Faceted Ring Beads (10mm) - The Bead Chest
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    Copper Faceted Ring Beads (10mm)

    Out of stock

    Take a look at this great strand of copper beads fashioned in an faceted ring shape. Each strand is 16" long with approximately 85 beads measuring ...

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    $44.05 - $44.05
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  • Silver Round Faceted Beads (5mm) - The Bead Chest
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    $18.98 - $18.98
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    Silver Round Faceted Beads (5mm)

    Out of stock

    Beautiful strand of high quality, silver beads measuring 24" in length. Individual beads measure 4 x 5mm in size, with holes measuring approximatel...

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    $18.98 - $18.98
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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.