While beads have been used as both adornment, protection, and currency since before written history, the most documented record of their use begins at the end of the fifteenth century when Portuguese ships arrived on the west coast of Africa, taking gold, slaves, and ivory. Over the four centuries that followed, millions of beads were traded to Africa, and by the nineteenth century, European bead makers were producing a wide variety of designs specifically for the African trade. The Africans themselves made beads of a different nature than those whose markets were dominated by Venice and Bohemia (Czechoslavakia).

The first European explorers and colonists gave Native Americans glass and ceramic beads as gifts and used beads for trade with them For many years, the Native Americans had used beads themselves, made of natural bone, shell, and stone. Eventually, the Native-American beads were overcome by those imported from Europe. Beads were brought in by the Russians who came by way of Alaska and were distributed widely by the Hudson Bay Company.

I have done a good bit of research of Trade Beads and hope within a few months to have a comprehensive history and encyclopedia of beads posted to this site. Meanwhile there are several good books put out by and for bead collectors. In my trade bead jewelry, I rarely use a bead less than a hundred years old. Those I have are as old as 350 years, but I am still searching for older ones. Meanwhile, I would remind the jewelry buyer that a piece made (or partially made) of trade beads is also making a collector of you. Most trade beads are expected to only increase in value, as do so many things that dwindle in number and emphasize age.

I hope you will find these beads as interesting and beautiful as I have.

Trade Beads Necklace #1

$45

Trade Beads Bracelet #2

$32

$32