Paper Beads: A Precious Collector's Item

By Paul Bell


Ever wondered how the world operated without money? Wonder no more, Paper Beads were how people bought things from each other. People went all over the world giving the jewelry for other goods. However today, they are not for bartering, in fact, they are very scarce. Therefore you will find them at inflated prices. So if you really want them, prepare yourself.

The bartering with these iconic pieces was most popular in the 12th century. People used them to get all sorts of stuff, such as fur, myrrh, palm oil as well as clothing. If you had the pieces there was nothing you couldn t get. They didn t just use them for exchanging with those around them. They literally went about exploring what other land had to offer.

There were more rare pieces and then they were those you found everywhere. The more rare but special ones included the Millefiori and Chevron. The color was also a determining factor in how available or scarce the jewelry was. The colors blue and white were produced in multitudes, they were everywhere. However, the more scarce colors were yellows and green and that made them more expensive.

Today the beautiful vintage jewelry is even harder to attain today. From the 12th to the 15th century some of these pieces got lost. Due to all the shipping and separating and moving of all the African tribes, there aren t as many lefts. The production also slowed down and money is now used to barter. So they were no longer required. When you do find one, it will be immensely overpriced, but it is kind of worth it.

Another form of the jewelry that looks bottle green or cobalt blue, very beautiful and pricy, called twisting neck pieces is also rare. Most of the jewelry was cut and polished in Bohemia but this specific piece was done in Venice. You could find them at about $620 per piece, this was the last price at an auction. So if you are up for it and you have money to blow, take your chance at an auction and see how much you get.

There are some other ones that are equally stunning, they look Russet-red. They were also for bartering and they were made during the 1800s and in Murano. They were used for bartering in Asia and North America, obtain things like oil, fuel, and artifacts. Today you can get them for $40 to $500. The price you pay will be affected by age, heritage and the colors you are trying to purchase.

Going for the purchase is not as easy as it sounds. The thing about these pieces is that you may see it today and tomorrow it might be gone. So you must know enough about what you are looking for and act quickly. Experts warn that you shouldn t procrastinate and linger around when you see one. You must act quickly and make a purchase. You might not find another one similar to that one, be it in color or size.

Other than the fact that they look gorgeous, others collect them as a reminder of what was. These are very sacred and should be kept for sentimental value as well. They are not easy to find and may cost a pretty penny, so once you have them you must hold on tight.




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