Bauxite (African Pipestone) Vintage Smooth, Polished 4-5mm
SKU: AFO-86
Sale price
$18.00
Shipping calculated at checkout
Only 7 in stock
Description
- Smooth, polished, vintage strands of African Bauxite, beads average 4-5mm
- Perforations range from 1-2mm, strung on 21-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 and other blues…