New African Trade Beads - Recycled Glass from Ghana

A beautiful matching strand of new African beads, made from recycled glass fused seed beads by the people of Kroboland (Ghana, West Africa).

The beads are tumble rounded and polished, resulting in a smooth surface.

The strand is approximately 20 1/2" (52 cm) long.

The size of the beads is 12 mm in diameter.

The beads are 100% handmade.

YOUR STRAND WILL BE IDENTICAL TO THE STRAND SHOWN IN THE PHOTOGRAPH (GIVEN NORMAL VARIATION SINCE THESE BEADS ARE ALL COMPLETELY HANDMADE).

These beads are made by artisans in the Krobo region of Ghana using small-sized glass beads as raw material to form larger beads. This unique technique of fusing smaller glass beads creates non-translucent beads with vibrant and intricate patterns.

Krobo beads are created through a meticulous process that involves the following steps:

• Collection and Preparation: Small glass beads are collected and cleaned, then arranged in molds.
• Molding: The small glass beads are placed into molds made from clay, determining the shape and size of the larger beads.
• Firing: The molds with the glass beads are placed in a kiln and fired at high temperatures, fusing the small beads together into larger, solid beads.
• Finishing: Once cooled, the beads are removed from the molds and often polished or refined to smooth out any rough edges.

These beads are notable for their vibrant colors and intricate patterns. They hold cultural significance in Ghanaian society, often used in ceremonies and as symbols of status and identity.

Explore more of our beautiful collection of African Krobo Glass Beads:

• New African Krobo Glass Beads
• Archives of African Made Beads
• How Krobos Produce Their Beads (Video)