African Amber, Antique Diamond Shape with 2-way Holes, 36x30mm, Rich Dark Amber Color
SKU: AFE-2072
Sale price
$30.00
Shipping calculated at checkout
Only 1 in stock
Description
- Rich, warm, mahogany brown diamond shape African amber bead, 36x30mm
- The dark color indicates that this is one of the earliest African amber beads. The pre-1940 formula darkens over time, later resins did not have this property.
- This bead is in excellent condition except for the beginning of an extra small hole near one end. This can't be seen from either side of the beads and does not affect the other holes. This is a beautiful bead from my own stash.
- The center holes were drilled so women could wear these in their hair, but they offer us a variety of creative options.
- The material these vintage/antique beads are made of is an early synthetic called phenolic thermosetting resin. It was developed in 1910. Bakelite is the best known brand among several European manufacturers producing faux amber beads, jewelry and household products before World War II.
- Phenolic resin amber beads probably started coming to Africa as a substitute for real Baltic amber in the 1920s and 1930s and trade lasted into the 1950s according to recent research by Rosanna Falabella.
- Several generations of newer resin beads have followed, some better than others, but none can approach the beauty and durability of the original phenolic resins which are now almost 100 years old, and wear it well.