January 2010 – Trade Beads

Beautiful Venetian Green Heart Trade Beads

Today, many bead collectors and artisans enjoy using African white heart beads in their jewelry. White heart beads are more commonly known as Hudson Bay Trade Beads. These glass beads have a colored, translucent outside (usually red, turquoise, green, or yellow), and a white center, hence the name “white heart” beads.

People often asked, where did white heart beads come from? Where did they evolve from? The somewhat surprising answer: Venetian green heart trade beads. These venetian beads, shown above, have a beautiful mud-colored outside, and a green center core on the inside. Usually, these beads are old, and were made between the 17th and 19th centuries. The strands typically measure over 30 inches long of trade beads, and run for about $30.

These amazing antique green heart trade beads would make a great addition to your next beading project!

Green Hebron Kano Trade Beads from Sudan

Very few African trade beads come from Sudan. But Hebron beads are one of the few that do. Also known as “Kano beads”, they come in several different colors and varieties. The most common are yellow hebron beads, followed by blue hebron beads, then green hebron beads. Occasionally, collectors will come across a strand of mixed polka dot Hebron beads, but these will run $300 and upwards, per strand.

Hebron beads are said to be made with salts from the Dead Sea. The Dead Sea, located in Israel, is the saltiest sea on earth, as well as the lowest point on Earth. It is known for its ability to keep people floating, and is a top tourist attraction in the Middle East.

Green hebron trade beads date back to the mid 19th century and earlier. This is why they are a favorite of antique bead collectors. Strands can come in a graduated form, in which the beginning of the strand holds the smallest beads, and the size of the beads graduate larger and larger as you go further down the strand. Or they can come in a uniform style, in which all hebron beads are the same size and shape.

Green hebron beads typically run for $150+ per strand, or approximately $18 per bead. They are often difficult to come by, but are available on many online trade bead stores.

Use these beautiful Sudanese trade beads in your next beading project!

Yellow Jacket Chevron Trade Beads are Hard to Come By

Chevron trade beads are often the most desirable beads for trade bead collectors. The reason why: the precision and detailed required to make these beautiful handmade, layered glass trade beads. There are all kinds of Chevron beads. These classic trade beads are also known as “Star” and “Rosetta” beads. Originally made in Venice in the late 15th Century, they are still handmade in limited production today.

One of the most beautiful types of Chevron beads are the Yellow Jacket Chevron beads. As you can see above, these trade beads are black with yellow stripes, very much like yellow jacket bees. Most of these Yellow Jacket Chevron traveled in the African trade, hence their classification under African trade beads.

Yellow jacket chevron beads are very difficult to come by, and can run anywhere from $12 per bead, to $600 per strand. These are the ultimate treat for any bead collector!

TradeBeads.org – The Newest Blog on Trade Beads

Hello, and welcome to TradeBeads.org, the newest blog on trade beads. I’ve started this blog because of my deep passion and interest in trade beads. I’ve collected trade beads for many decades, and have finally decided to share my knowledge and experience with the world on this blog.

I will be writing about African trade beads, Venetian trade beads, Chevron trade beads, Millefiori trade beads, and much more. Please check back regularly, and leave comments :-).