African Amber, Antique Rare Diamond Shape, Rich Dark Colors 2 Holes, 30x27mm
African Amber, Antique Rare Diamond Shape, Rich Dark Colors 2 Holes, 30x27mm
African Amber, Antique Rare Diamond Shape, Rich Dark Colors 2 Holes, 30x27mm
African Amber, Antique Rare Diamond Shape, Rich Dark Colors 2 Holes, 30x27mm

African Amber, Antique Rare Diamond Shape, Rich Dark Colors 2 Holes, 30x27mm

SKU: JSD-1463
Sale price $45.00

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Only 1 in stock

Description

  • Antique African amber bead, rare diamond shape in rich dark color, 30x27mm
  • The holes at the pointy ends show smooth cone shaped wear, testifying to long usage in a necklace strung horizontally as shown in the first image. 
  • The bead has a line that appears to be a crack, a sign of age, but not of potential damage, these beads do not break. The lines, when there are many, are considered decorative.
  • 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.
  • From the collection of Joyce Diamanti, bead researcher, writer and educator