Here is A Brief History of Beads

Stones, glass or shells, we have been addicted to beautiful beads all throughout the history of people.

Beads were one the first items found in archaeological dig sites that were not used for hunting and gathering. The first beads were made out of simple items such as seeds, wood, claws, shells and stones. These items would have been easy to manipulate with primitive tools. As skills were gained gem stones were added to the list of items for decoration.

Glass Beads

Glass beads were manufactured in Egypt as early as 1365 B.C. They were used almost entirely for adorning the people of the time. Glass beads have been found in the tombs of Pharaohs and other wealthy people of the time.

The history of glass beads expands again with the invention of crystal and a whole new market has opened up with crystal being used to adorn everything from dresses to cell phones to cars.

Trade Beads

Beads were traded by Columbus to gain the trust and respect of the indigenous peoples that he made contact with. In turn they would provide food and other items useful for life in the new world or items to trade back in Europe. The Conquistadors were also known to trade beads.

Beads have been made and worn by every culture in the world and have been around for more than 40,000 years. They have been worn as Talismans against evil and as amulets to bring wisdom and fortune to the wearer.

Prayer Beads

Prayer beads have been around for many years and are popular worldwide they are used in almost every religion. They are used to count the number of prayers said and the order of the prayers. Prayer Beads are fixed onto the strand; Roman Catholics use Rosary beads and generally have 150 beads per strand.

Japa Malas is the Hindu word for prayer beads and they are considered to be the earliest users of prayer beads. These beads are usually made of stems or seeds.

Worry Beads

Worry beads first appeared in India and were made of the pits of fruit. Later precious stones were used to replace the pits. The beads found their way through Turkey to Greece. The Greek word for worry beads is Kombolois they are used to keep idol hands busy and to keep your mind off other things such as drinking and smoking. These are made up of a number of beads preferably made with Amber or Coral with a section of cord. The beads are free to move up and down the cord clicking together to create a peaceful distraction. There are generally between 17 and 23 beads per strand. For men they are considered a jewel for women a sign of independence. Worry beads have no religious connection.

The History of Mardi Gras Beads

Mardi Gras specifically refers to Fat Tuesday, the Tuesday before Lent. In New Orleans Carnival is a celebration well-known throughout the world. The festivities take place for the two weeks leading up to and including Fat Tuesday. Many parades take place in New Orleans at this time and people on floats throw beads and small toys into the crowd.

Inexpensive multi-colour glass beads made in Czechoslovakia were thrown from floats starting in the late 19th century and ending in the 1960,s. Then less expensive plastic beads and small toys replaced them. The lower cost beads meant that more strings could be thrown from the floats.

Things changed again in the 1990’s when people lost interest in the cheap beads and started collecting metallic strands of beads often containing small animal figures. Now Fiber optic beads are the most sort-after throw. And funny enough glass beads made in India have returned to popularity.

Please Return to the Beads page
from this history of Beads page.