Bauxite, Vintage (African Pipestone) 7mm
SKU: AFO-92
Sale price
$19.00
Shipping calculated at checkout
Only 5 in stock
Description
- Smooth, polished Vintage strands of African Bauxite, 4x7mm, very regular
- Perforations range from 1-2mm, strung on 20-inch strands with rich patina
- Sometimes called African Pipestone because they resemble Native American “pipestone” beads, Bauxite is aluminum ore.
- Ghana and Guinea are some of the world’s largest producers of aluminum and these beads are a happy byproduct. Their brick red color reminds me of the ubiquitous red soils, roads, and dust of Africa.
- I bought these in Abidjan in 1970, newer ones are rarely this nicely finished.
- They work well with trade beads, light blue Awalleh, other blues, the various white shell heishe beads and coconut shell heishi