Glass Chevron Beads

Glass Chevron Beads

Glass Chevron Beads are elegant layered beads. They usually come in Red, White and Blue, but can also come in other colors.  Crafters use them on necklaces, chokers, bags, etc.  Living History re-enactors will find them perfect for period correct regalia. Jewelry makers love them!

Our current stock comes from India. They are shiny and short, not elongated.  The beads vary in size and shape. The hole sizes vary from 2mm – 4mm.  We sell them in 4 ounce bags or 1 Kilo bags (about 35 ounces).

• 5mm x 9mm (Est 150 per 4 ounces)
• 8mm x 10mm (Est 80 per 4 ounces)
• 10mm x 12mm (Est 55 per 4 ounces)

Historically, bead makers in Czechoslovakia first made Chevron Beads in the 16th -17th centuries. Traders carried these layered glass beads to North America and Africa. They are highly desirable due to the complexity of their manufacture. Foremen did not permit craftsmen  to leave their factories in order to prevent them from sharing the technology.  Our stock comes from India.

History of Trade Beads

From the 15th to the 20th century, traders carried European glass beads across the world. Native Americans highly desired glass beads as glass was then an unknown substance in North American. European glass beads, mostly from Venice, some from Holland and, later, from Poland and Czechoslovakia, became popular and sought after by Native Americans. Europeans realized early on that beads were important to Native Americans. Corporations such as the Hudson Bay Trading Company developed lucrative bead-trading markets with them. The Hudson Bay Trading Company was an organized group of explorers who ventured into the North American continent for trade expeditions during the 19th century.

Shop for more Trade Beads!

Read about the History of Native American Trade Beads