Cherry amber necklace
THE NECKLACE CONSISTS OF 17 GRADUATED BEADS THE CENTER BEAD IS APPROX. 39 MM WIDE X 30.38 MM IT IS APPROXIMATELY 20 1/2 " LONG WEIGHS: 213 GRAMS ON MY SCALE.IT HAS A BRASS SCREW INSERT
Estate find
Auction House
Yes
Thank you for submitting your item for appraisal. This appears to be an amber imitation necklace consisting of synthetic thermosetting resin beads, most likely phenolic resin. There are air bubbles within the beads and on the surface, which clearly shows that these beads were cast in a mold. The invention of the material dates back to the 1910s. The necklace in your possession might date back to the Art Deco era. The estimate is based on recent auction results of similar necklaces sold at auction.
PS. there are no air bubbles in the beads. those are black dots on the surface of a couple of the beads. and there is caream flash reflections on them.
The four little dents in the bead which is lit up from below, two air bubbles inside within the same bead visible in another photo. kind regards
Klaus, are you saying this is bakelite? It does not test positive with simichrome.In addition, I put the end of the beads in a cup with acetone and let it soak for a minute, the acetone did not affect the bead at all. did you read my comments?, this is inaccurate info. I have taken this to two gemologists. they both confirmed it is amber. Also one of them did a refractive Index test and it is 1.55 of which is on the amber range of 1.539-1.545
Please read the most interesting article :IMITATION AMBER BEADS OF PHENOLIC RESIN FROM THE AFRICAN TRADE by Rosanna Falabella
thank you for the Info Klaus. do you feel this is bakelite? It does not test positive with simichrome or 409
To my eyes it is phenolic resin ( which is similar to bakelite).
thank you
Hell Klaus, this is inaccurate info. I have taken this to two gemologists. they both confirmed it is amber. Also one of them did a refractive Index test and it is 1.55 of which is on the amber range of 1.539-1.545