Brick Red Venetian Green Heart Beads 3-8mm ( 1264A215) African

Beautifully aged, VERY old strand of Green Heart Beads in great condition, made sometime between 1400 and 1800s in Murano, Venice. They are derived from the "white heart" beads known as "Cornaline D'Aleppo". These beads have a translucent green center core and a terra cotta red matte glass on outside.

These beads were used as a medium of currency for trading in North America and Africa. These Green Heart beads are also known as the Hudson Bay Trade Beads and this name refers to European explorers (known as Hudson Bay Trading company) that ventured into North America to trade beads with local tribes for valuables. These beads became a very valuable commodity to Native Americans and the Hudson Bay Trade Beads became the single most valuable item of jewelry to local North American natives. The reason these beads were so valuable to Native Americans is that these beads introduced color in jewelry from glassmaking, something they had never seen, as the Natives had always made their beads from natural materials like shell, bones and stones.

Approximate Number of Beads: 120-140/strand Bead Size: 3-8mm diameter x 4-7mm Hole Size: 2-3mm Strand Length: 28-30"

ita ito: string together

Our business is rooted in our love of hand craftsmanship, history, and authenticity. We work carefully to source items that are uniquely hand-made as well as hard to find vintage items from remote areas in Africa. Sourced from materials (such as recycled glass and metal) that use low impact, sustainable and ethical processes, we employ artisans and craftspeople in a place rich with bead making history.