Description

Impressive ancient amazonite bead of ellipsoid shape.
Soft mint green colour, interrupted by streaks and inclusions of white quartz and/or feldspar.
This exceptionally large bead has beautiful crystal clusters.
Excellent condition – Collected in the Sahara desert, Niger.

Length: 42mm
Width: 24mm
Perforations: 5,5mm and 6mm
Weight: 33,5 g (1.18 oz)

About ANCIENT BEADS
Beads are carriers of history and traditions and are as old as the beginning of human existence.
Islamic period beads traveled extensively along the trans-Saharan trade routes.
The Trans-Saharan trade routes operated for over a millenium, however, there were peaks of activity in the various periods.
Their widespread distribution reflects the role of the Islamic world as a centre in medieval commerce.
Beads crossed continents, seas and deserts to be traded and valued as symbols of wealth and social rank.