My favorite trade beads are Millefiori trade beads from Africa. Millefiori is a word which literally means "thousand flowers". Millefiori beads are handcrafted beads that have flower designs layered into them. Because they are handmade, each bead is unique. There are no two beads alike.

These beads can run you anywhere from $8 - $60 a piece. They are cherished for their history and age. To many, they are known as "African Trade Beads." Most Millefiori trade beads have traveled multiple contents, including Europe, Africa, and the United States. You can also purchase them by the strand, in which case they run between $80 and $500.

As you can see in the photo above, they are colorful and crafted with such great detail. Each bead is a work of art that should be cherished to the fullest. Millefiori trade beads make great centerpieces for necklaces and jewelry. True, they are quite an investment, but I guarantee, it is well worth it. You can have a lot of fun with these great beads!

One very popular type of chevron trade beads are antique awale beads. These old trade beads are usually light blue with brown and dark blue stripes. In relativity to other chevron beads, awale are relatively cheap, typically running you $23 - $49 a strand. Not bad compared to other chevron trade beads, which can run up to $3,000 per bead!

Many people ask us why these beads are called awale (some people spell it awalleh). To be honest, I'm not quite sure. But this is the name that is used by most African traders in the states.

These beads were most likely made in Venice sometime in the 19th century, or very early 20th century. Most of the time, they are found in good condition, but some beads can be cracked or chipped due to age. These trade beads are said to hold some kind of mysterious and romantic connection to the past. The beads measure anywhere from 4mm - 10mm in diameter, and there are usually anywhere from 100 - 180 beads per strand. Some strands run about 24" in length, but they can measure as large as 32" in a strand (if you're lucky).

Many of my fellow jewelers and craftsmen/women often ask about my obsession with trade beads. I use them in nearly every piece of jewelry I create, so it leads many to wonder, what is the significance of trade beads? Why use trade beads?  Well, here are my top reasons for using trade beads in my jewelery.

1. Trade Beads are handmade, and made with love.

   Unlike most of the beads in the market today, primarily dominated by Indian and Chinese beads, trade beads are each made by hand, with love, the old fashioned way. It feels nice knowing you are wearing something that was not made by a machine or robot, but rather, by a fellow human

2. Each bead is one of a kind.

   Because trade beads are handmade, every single bead is unique and one of a kind. There are no two beads that are exactly the same! This is particularly noticeable when shopping for Millefiori beads and Venetian trade beads.

3. Wearing trade beads is like wearing a piece of history.

   Trade beads date back as some of the oldest beads in modern history. Most trade beads have traveled at least three continents, and have been possessed by multiple owners, especially old trade beads. There's nothing like wearing a piece of history!

4. Shopping for trade beads is fun!

   Shopping for trade beads is unlike shopping for most of other types of beads. Because every bead is handmade and one of a kind, shopping never gets old. You never see the same thing twice.

5. Trade beads are usually part of the fair trade.

   Most trade beads are considered "fair trade beads", meaning the craftsmen, craftswomen, and artisans involved in creating the beads were not exploited in the process of bringing these beads to you. They are paid the amount they deserve. You know that when you purchase fair trade beads, you are helping to improve the lives of the people who made these beads for you.

Of course, these are only five of the many reasons why I love to use trade beads when creating jewelry. Their significance is unprecedented,  and they are the most cultured of beads.

Why do you use trade beads in your jewelry? Post a comment below and share!

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!

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!

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!

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 .