Antique Carnelian & Agate Trade Beads Cambay India – 6 Pendants

Six Antique Carnelian / Agate Trade Beads – Cambay, India

Discover a rare set of six antique Carnelian / Agate stone trade beads, also suitable as pendants, sourced from historic Cambay, India. Dated to the 1800s (or possibly earlier), these beads have been documented in Robert K. Liu’s “Collectible Beads” (p. 39).

• Bead count: 6
• Dimensions: 21 – 26 mm × 20 – 25 mm × 7 – 10 mm
• Perforations: 1 – 1.5 mm diameter
• Condition: Very good antique condition, with light wear and minor age-related chips (see photos)

Each bead exudes the rich orange‑red hue of Carnelian, mingled with the translucent banding characteristic of Agate, reflecting their enduring beauty and utilitarian purpose. These beads are perfect for collectors and jewelry artisans seeking authentic antique components imbued with historical significance.

Historical Significance & Craftsmanship

These Agate / Carnelian beads originate from Cambay (now Khambhat) in Gujarat, India, an ancient center for stone bead production. Hand-drilled using simple bow‑drill techniques, skilled artisans meticulously crafted and finished each pendant. These trade beads entered West African commerce as early as the 1800s, where they became valued forms of currency and cultural exchange in Ghana and beyond.

The use of Agate and Carnelian trade beads in Africa underscores the intercontinental connections fostered by bead commerce. Serving as adornment, wealth tokens, and identity markers, these beads were woven into the social and economic fabric of communities across Ghana and West Africa.

At TribalGH, we honor the legacy of these antique Agate beads and Antique Carnelian trade beads, connecting past and present through bead culture.

Explore More at TribalGH

• New African Krobo Glass Beads Collection
• Trade Beads Archives
• Watch how Krobo artisans produce beads (YouTube)