How to Find African Jewelry

Wearing jewelry in many cultures is a form of self expression, and for many African Americans wearing African jewelry is a way to reconnect to Africa. For those, African American and others, who want to incorporate African jewelry into their everyday dress, finding an African jewelry seller is a simple task.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

1. Learn about different types of African jewelry in terms of region where it's made and it's purpose. The climate, location and spiritual beliefs determine jewelry composition in many cases. For example, people of the Sahara did not wear gold because it was thought to be bad luck, instead they wear silver. Knowing the background of the jewelry allows you to better find the style of jewelry you prefer.
2. Buy African jewelry through online auctions like eBay. Some importers or artisans sell African jewelry worldwide through the Internet. Purchasing through an online auction is often a money saver and allows you to choose from a variety of jewelry.
3. Search for importers, local shops, wholesalers and artisans in your community through the phone book or chamber of commerce. The Underground Mall in Atlanta, Georgia is an example of where to find local artists and importers of African jewelry.
4. Use cooperatives where artisans receive a large part of the jewelry profits. Village Markets of Africa is an example of an online seller of African jewelry that uses the profits to lift African artisans out of poverty. By using the cooperatives you know the African jewelry is authentic.
5. Attend an African or African American festival or event where African artisans showcase and sell their products. Collect business cards for a variety of vendors at these venues. Many festivals occur around traditionally African American holidays such as Juneteenth and Kwanzaa involve parades and festivals where food, African jewelry and African are available for sale.