African Amber, Modified Diamond Shape with 2 Holes, 30x27mm
SKU: JSD-894
Sale price
$22.00
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Only 1 in stock
Description
- An interesting bead that I think has been modified from the original diamond shape by grinding it down. The surface is a bit more textured than most. Recent research indicates that most African Amber beads were molded in Europe or cast in log rods and machined to the desired oblate shapes and polished smooth before shipment.
- I think it started as a diamond because the original hole runs through the longer dimension. The perpendicular hole thru the center of the bead would have made it more wearable in the hair, a common practice in Mali and Mauritania.
- 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, at a variety of prices, but none can approach the beauty and durability of the original phenolic resins which are now almost 100 years old, and wear it well.
- All the African Amber beads being posted in June 2025 are from the collection of Joyce Diamanti, world traveler, bead collector, researcher, writer, editor and educator. Mine remain in strands for the time being. See AFO-106, 119, 120, 122, and AFO-124. The Berber strands AFO-157-AFO-170 are a newer type of resin.