Archaeological studies of stone beads in South Asia have revealed the importance of distinctive stone ornaments in the economical, socio-political and ritual history of the region from around 7000 BC to the present. This lecture will discuss the ways in which stone beads from South Asia were made and distributed in the region and internationally. Beads made from exotic stones such as lapis lazuli and turquoise at the site of Mehrgarh, Pakistan provide evidence for long distance trade at 7000 BC. During the Indus Civilization, distinctive long carnelian beads and other types of colored stones were traded throughout the Indus region and to the more distant regions of Mesopotamia and even as far as Egypt. In the Early Historic Period, circa 300BC to 300 AD, stone beads were produced in many regions of South Asia and were closely linked to early political and religious traditions, such as Buddhism, Jainism and Brahmanical traditions. The trade of stone beads from South Asia to East Asia, Africa, Europe and eventually to the New World provide a unique perspective for understanding the spread of technology, ornament styles and global economic interaction.