In ancient African graves, beads and beaded necklaces have been found buried with kings and chiefs. The Yoruba people believed that buried beads would grow in the ground and multiply. The most popular trading items brought over by the Europeans in the 16th century were beads and thousands of pounds of beads were exchanged, mainly in Western Africa and Zaire. They were worn to indicate a person’s wealth and social ranking. At times they were given as a token of affection. Lastly of course they were used as a mode of beautification. Stones, rocks and minerals make for some of the most desired and attractive beads. A quality source of raw material and a good degree of technical expertise is required to produce stone beads. In fact the most expensive single bead in the world is made of stone! The word "stone" is a general term. Stones are either minerals with distinct chemical combinations or rocks which are a mixture of minerals. Most popular stone beads are minerals. Collecting stone beads have a double appeal. First to bead collectors who collect stone beads and secondly for those who collect stones. The bead strands on display are composed of Nigerian stone known as "buckside." These terra cotta and earth colored, porous bead shaped pieces are held in high regard to Nigerians and Western collectors alike.

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Dimensions: 16 inch hang length.

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