Green Bohemian Vaseline Trade Beads 34 inch

These are not necessarily fluorescent glass, but their shape is the same, and they are commonly known as "vaseline beads." Vaseline glass beads are usually a small bicone shape with eight facets on either end and vary in colors from yellow through to red. Most of these were produced in Europe in the mid to late 19th century. During this production period, the beads were hand-faceted and had conical perforations. There was a revival period of "vaseline" style beads production in the Mid-20th Century and the beads pictured here are from that period. You can also see "vaseline" glass used in vases, compotes, bowls, candlesticks, and other utilitarian pieces.

"Trade Beads" refer to beads primarily produced in Venice, Bohemia, and other European countries from the late 1400s to the early 1900s, traded in Africa and the Americas. The peak of this trade occurred from the mid-1800s to the early 1900s, with the Venetians dominating production. J.F. Sick and Co. and Moses Lewin Levin played significant roles as bead brokers/importers. The beads gained renewed popularity in the late 1960s when exported from Africa to the U.S. and Europe. The term "Trade Beads" became widely used, and they were also known as "Love Beads" during the Hippie era. As demand grew, specific names like "Russian Blues" and "Dutch Donuts" emerged, contributing to the beads' collectability. Today, these beads are highly sought after, with some styles becoming rarer as African traders venture deeper into the continent to find them.

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.

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