African Trade Beads - Ghana Recycled Glass Annular Beads 11mm

Introducing a beautiful strand of recycled glass beads, handmade by the skilled artisans of Kroboland in Ghana, West Africa. These exquisite beads imitate the classic "Dutch Annular" glass trade beads, bringing a touch of history and culture to your jewelry collection.

• Strand Length: 21 1/2" (54.5 cm)
• Bead Size: 11 mm in diameter

The beads are 100% handmade, ensuring each strand is unique.

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

Crafted using fragments of recycled glass, these beads are not only beautiful but also environmentally friendly. The people of Krobo employ a meticulous technique to create these beads:

• Collection and Preparation: Glass bottles and other glass items are gathered, cleaned, and broken into small fragments.
• Molding: The glass fragments are placed into clay molds, which determine the shape and size of the beads.
• Firing: The molds are placed in a kiln and fired at high temperatures. This fuses the glass fragments together without melting them completely, preserving some of their original colors and translucency.
• Finishing: After cooling, the beads are removed from the molds and polished to smooth out any rough edges.

These beads are known for their vibrant colors and intricate patterns, holding significant cultural value in Ghanaian society. They are often used in ceremonies and symbolize status and identity.

Explore our collection of New African Krobo Glass Beads currently available for sale.

Discover the Archives of other African made beads to see sold items.

Watch a video showing how Krobo artisans produce their beads on YouTube.