Chevron Beads

Chevron Beads are special glass beads, originallyred layers
made for trade in the New World and the slaveIncreasingly, dichroic glass is being used to
trade in Africa by glassmakers in Italy as far backproduce high-end art beads. Dichroic glass has a
as the early 15th century. They are composed ofthin film of metal fused to the surface of the
many consecutive layers of colored glass. Theglass, resulting in a surface that has a metallic
initial core is formed in a star-shaped mold, andsheen that changes between two colors when
can have anywhere between five and fifteenviewed at different angles. Beads can be pressed,
points. The next layer of glass conforms to thator made with traditional lampworking techniques.
star shape. Several layers of glass can be appliedThe metal coating used was originally developed
(typically four to seven layers), either star-shapedby NASA for the space program.
or smooth. After all layers have been applied, theOther beads considered trade beads are those
glass is drawn out to the desired thickness andmade in West Africa, by and for Africans, such
when cooled, cut into short segments showingas Mauritanian Kiffa beads, and Ghanaian and
the resulting star pattern at their ends. The endsNigerian powder glass beads . Other ethnic beads
can be ground to display the chevron pattern.include Tibetan Dzi beads and African-made brass
Chevron beads are traditionally composed of red,beads. Rudraksha beads are seeds that are
blue, and white layers, but modern chevrons cancustomary in India for making Buddhist and Hindu
be found in any color combination. Original beadsrosaries (malas). Magatama are traditional
made for trade to the New World and AfricaJapanese beads, and cinnabar was often used for
were typically composed of green, white, blue andbeads in China.