African Amber, Antique Diamond Shape, Rich Dark Crown Colors, 28x28mm
African Amber, Antique Diamond Shape, Rich Dark Crown Colors, 28x28mm
African Amber, Antique Diamond Shape, Rich Dark Crown Colors, 28x28mm

African Amber, Antique Diamond Shape, Rich Dark Crown Colors, 28x28mm

SKU: AFE-2073
Sale price $28.00

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Only 1 in stock

Description

  • Rich, warm, mahogany brown smaller diamond shape African amber bead, 27x27mm
  • 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 if you wanted to use the central hole for a multi-directional design, it seems to be blocked. I haven't tried to clear it, but I suspect it wouldn't be hard with a small drill. 
  • 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.
  • Only one available