Bauxite, Vintage (African Pipestone) Large Tubes

AFO-91

Regular price $29.00

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  • Smooth, polished strand of African Bauxite, beads 12mm diameter, longest 44mm.
  • Perforations range from 1-2mm,  only one 25-inch strand 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 chevrons (Awalleh), other blues, the various white shell heishe beads and coconut shell heishi