A classic strand of so-called French White Heart beads, more accurately Venetian glass trade beads, is distinguished by their layered construction of translucent colored glass over an opaque white core. These beads were produced primarily in Venice and traded extensively across West Africa from the late 18th through the early 20th century.
The luminous effect—where the outer color glows against the white interior—gives the beads their characteristic depth and visual warmth. This optical quality made them highly prized in African trade networks, where they became integrated into systems of adornment, wealth, and social exchange.
While commonly associated with red varieties, white heart beads appear in a range of colors (red, blue, green, yellow), all unified by the distinctive white core visible at the perforation or worn surfaces.
Photo is an example. Yours will be similar. You are purchasing one strand.
This strand is not intended to be a ready-to-wear necklace. Although the strand can be worn "as is," the string holding it together is not durable and may break with use. For this reason, we recommend that you restring the beads before wearing them.
Strand Length: 36 inches (includes string/raffia)
Bead Size: 7-8 mm diameter. See picture with penny for size comparison
155104
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