The term "Trade Beads" typically applies to beads made predominately in Venice and Bohemia and other European countries from the late 1400s through to the early 1900s and traded in Africa and the Americas. Many of these beads have been attributed to being made in Germany, France and the Netherlands as well. The heyday of this "trade" period was from the mid 1800s through the early 1900s when millions of these beads were produced and traded in Africa.

The popularity of these beads was revived in the late 1960s when they began to be exported from Africa into the United States and Europe. The term "Trade Beads" became very popular during this time period and is still used for the same bead reference today. Beads have been used as body adornments since before 30,000BC with countless different styles, materials and origins. I’ve tried to give accurate descriptions although in some cases it is difficult to give precise dates and origins.

All of these Trade Beads have been purchased at fair trade prices and have come to me from reputable sources (I’ve done my research). Many of them have been handed down through generations of the same family since they were originally brought to Africa by the traders.