Bead & Jewelry Tales — African trade beads

Beads are among the most common objects that have been traded in our earliest civilizations. They were long considered valuable possessions and were often buried with other treasures. Beads have been made by every culture for thousands of years and were being produced in Africa for trade and commerce long before Westerners brought their imported goods. When sellers and collectors talk about "African Trade Beads" they are most often referring to European Glass Beads, such as the Venetian Chevron (Star beads), millefiori, prosser and Russian Blues. These are among the most beautiful, recognizable and collectible of all of the "African Trade Beads"....