African Amber, Antique Rare Soft Diamond Shape, Medium Amber Color, 35x35mm
African Amber, Antique Rare Soft Diamond Shape, Medium Amber Color, 35x35mm
African Amber, Antique Rare Soft Diamond Shape, Medium Amber Color, 35x35mm

African Amber, Antique Rare Soft Diamond Shape, Medium Amber Color, 35x35mm

SKU: JSD-1474
Sale price $49.00

Shipping calculated at checkout

Only 1 in stock

Description

  • Antique African medium amber color soft diamond shape bead, 35x35mmmm
  • The original hole has been blocked, but possibly not permanently the vertical hole has been lined with metal to protect it from wear
  • 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
  • Only one available