The LifeForceStyle bead bracelet

Two beads made from ostrich eggshell were discovered by archaeologists in Tanzania in 2004, and are thought to be around 70,000 years old. They are believed to be the world’s earliest known beaded jewellery.  They provide evidence that early homo sapiens were capable of ‘symbolic thinking’.

From around 6,000 BC, beads and their raw materials became an increasingly significant ‘currency’. Lapis lazuli beads – which were mined 1,500 miles away in Afghanistan – were of great importance to the Sumerians of southern Mesopotamia.

3000 BC, Ancient Lapis Lazuli Beads - 3000BC-1000AD

The history of Native Americans wearing beaded bracelets can be traced back to prehistoric times. Each Native American tribe had its own distinct jewelry style. They mined turquoise and crafted bracelets from shells. They also used natural metals, animal bones, and ivory. After colonization, the jewelry-making traditions of Native Americans remained strong. They began incorporating more modern materials, such as glass beads, and adopted more advanced metalworking techniques.

3000 BC, Ancient Turquoise Beads

2000 BC, The technique of making millefiori (‘thousand flower’) beads using glass rods originated in Ancient Egypt in 2,000 BC, was redeveloped by the Romans 1,000 years later, revived in the 15th century by Venetian glassmakers, and is still used today.

In China, as early as 1027 BCE, over 3,000 years ago during the primitive society, people were already stringing various types of beads into necklaces and ornaments. The most representative example is the Yinxu Ruins in Anyang, where bead-making techniques of the Shang Dynasty gradually matured, resulting in many exquisite ancient bead masterpieces.

800 BC, Noble Lady's "Jade Bead Ornament" - Late Western Zhou Dynasty, China

800 BC, "Agate Beads and Jade Pendant Necklace Combination" - Western Zhou Dynasty, China

In Medieval monasteries across western Europe, monks counted their prayers on beaded rosaries (the English word ‘bead’ derives from a Germanic word for ‘prayer’, while the word ‘rosary’ was a mistranslation of the Sanskrit word, ‘japamala’ – Buddhist meditative beads first used two millennia earlier). In 17th-century North America, it’s said, Dutch trader Peter Minuit purchased Manhattan from the Lenape for a bag of beads – at that time used as currency. In southern Africa in the early 19th century, Zulu maidens beaded symbolic love letters for their beaux, using colourful glass numbers imported from Europe.

700 BC, Face beads like this Egyptian example are thought to have emerged in the early Roman period

Bead bracelet made from mineral gemstones such as lapis lazuli, turquoise, agate, and others have been highly regarded throughout history for their unique beauty and symbolic significance. These natural treasures, hidden deep within the earth, are believed to embody primal Life Force from nature and are closely associated with qualities like courage, wisdom, confidence, and healing.

Lapis lazuli, with its deep blue hues and golden flecks, is often regarded as a symbol of wisdom and truth. It enhances intellectual clarity, stimulates the mind, and inspires creativity. Turquoise, known for its serene blue-green tones, represents protection and healing. It is said to create a calming energy that fosters emotional balance and shields against negative influences. Tiger's eye is renowned for its unique golden-brown luster and dynamic cat's eye effect. It symbolizes courage and strength, enhances confidence, boosts decisiveness, and provides inner stability and support when facing challenges.

300 BC, Glass Dragonfly Eye from the State of Qi, Warring States Period, China

Bead bracelet crafted from these gemstones are imbued with the energy to protect the wearer's Life Force. Wearing or carrying them can enhance natural charm, confidence, and good fortune, making it easier to navigate the complexities of life. In the workplace, gemstones are said to help overcome obstacles, facilitate wise decision-making, and promote harmonious relationships. Additionally, they are believed to form a protective barrier against bad luck, while attracting positive opportunities and good fortune.

300 BC, Four-Colored Crystal Beads, State of Qi, China, Highly Transparent

Each gemstone, with its unique properties and energy, is regarded as a companion on life’s journey, helping individuals unlock their potential, foster personal growth, and create balance and harmony in both work and life. Whether cherished for their aesthetic value or symbolic meaning, these gemstones remind us of nature's enduring power and the inner strength we possess.

700 AD, Tang Dynasty Agate Beads Bracelet, featuring an eight-faceted design that was highly popular at the time

Here, we have gathered the most natural, pure, and unique gemstones to bring their protective energy and good fortune to your hands. May they safeguard your Life Force and bless you with health, confidence, and good luck in your future endeavors!