African trade beads are some of the most popular and sought after of all beads. There are many different type of trade beads as well that you can choose between and they usually all fall within the “Fancy Trade Bead” arena. There are different designs that create different niches within the categories. The Bead Chest is a company that has a number of wholesale beading supplies and glass beads that you can choose from. No matter what you might be looking for when it comes to trade beads, The Bead Chest is going to have that for you. They have beads that are made up of so many different wild and colorful designs you won’t even know where to start when it comes to choosing these beads. You can find some that are highly detailed and intricate or you can find some that are a whole lot more simple. Based on the appearance of the beads themselves they will fall into different categories. Here is a list of different kind of trade beads you can find through The Bead Chest:

Tabular Beads

If you are looking for rare then you need look no further than Tabular beads. They are characteristic because they are flat and elongated oval shape. You found these beads to be mostly made around the mid 1700s all the way up to the late 1860s. The reason so many people love these beads is because they are so rare. Even with all of the technology that we posses these days making these wound beads is still really hard because the glass cools so quickly and makes it hard for you to form the bead in the way that you would like.

Elbow Beads

If you are looking for old Venetian Antique Mixed Trade Beads then you will find a great selection of them at the Bead Chest. They have amazing options for you and anyone who is interested in beads. The beads that have long tubular variants and distinct curves are the elbow beads. You will see that these beads have an arc or an elbow which is how they get their name. They were once a much larger part of a glass tube. The beads actually would just arc as they were being cut which how they get this crazy bend in them.

Doughnut or Pineapple Beads

These beads, as you might imagine, are thick in appearance sometimes measuring ½ an inch in thickness. They were made in the late 1700s up to the early 1820s in Venice. You can find many different kinds of these beads such as chevron, millefiori and lampwork. The pineapple beads are a little longer than the doughnut beads but have about the same thickness.

If you are looking for some trade beads then you should look no further then The Bead Chest. They are a company that is committed to giving the best and the greatest in glass beads. So check out their website and see all of the amazing collectibles they have in stock and you will be one step closer to having them yourself.