What are Russian blue beads?

Beautiful Cobalt Blue Russian trade beads, hand faceted, tubular glass trade beads originally traded by the Russians to the Alaska Natives in exchange for Sea Otter pelts or anything else they might want. The beads were a desirable form of currency. Kind of like the Wampum of the far north.

What are African trade beads?

Trade Beads are beads that have been used as a form of currency for the exchange of goods and services especially in West Africa. Some of the more common items that these beads were bartered for include ivory, gold, slaves, and other goods that were in demand by Europeans and colonial overlords.

What are Indian trade beads?

The Native American Indians had had beads as part of their attire for centuries. These beads were made from shells, stone, wood, copper, bones and antler. Glass beads for trade were brought to the Native Indians by Lewis and Clark, the Vikings, Christopher Columbus, Spanish explorers among others.

Where did the Blue Russian beads come from?

There is evidence that they had them to trade in Canada and the Great Lakes region. John Jacob Astor, of the American Fur Co. reputedly sold beads to the Russians. Whatever the route, trade beads arrived in the Pacific Northwest in considerable quantity.” Blue Russian Trade Beads are still very desirable and collected all over the world.

What kind of beads are blue in color?

Blue Russians are the beads that have raised the most questions lately. That is the name given to the beautiful Cobalt Blue, hand faceted, tubular glass trade beads originally traded by the Russians to the Alaska Natives in exchange for Sea Otter pelts or anything else they might want. The beads were a desirable form of currency.

What kind of beads were used in the fur trade?

These are the real deal in the world of “Blue Russians”, of Pacific Northwest Coast Fur Trade History. And the molded, faceted Red 3/8ths” glass beads are very old Venetian-made. […]

Why was the Russian expedition called the Blue Russians?

“According to ship cargo manifests the Russian expeditions carried beads in addition to other cheap trade goods, and while we do not know what beads they carried, there are reasons they are called “Blue Russians”.