Choice of Antique Rock Crystal and Stone Bead Strands from West Africa - Rita Okrent Collection (S563)

Antique and ancient mixed stone beads, mostly rock crystal with. some agate. Hand-carved by artisans in India for trade for Africa. India has a long history of stone bead carving, dating back thousands of years.

Beads range in size and shape. Each strand has its own mix of beads.

Strand A

Why We Love It

Each bead on this strand was shaped by hand, long before machine cutting existed.

That hand-carving left small irregularities in the rock crystal and agate beads, and the pale, warm tones have only grown richer with age.

A small cluster of orange carnelian beads near one end adds a quiet pop of color to the mix.

Dimensions: 25 inch length, 53 beads.

Strand B

Why We Love It

These beads were all carved by hand, in an era before machine cutting.

You can see that hand-carving in the slight irregularities of the rock crystal and agate beads, with a pale, neutral palette that’s only deepened with age.

Dimensions: 24 inch length, 48 beads.

Stone Item 563a and b