Featured Amber or plastic ?

Hello,

At first glance, they look like plastic to me.. but they have knots in between and who would do that for plastic beads ? I took a picture of them under fluorescent light too.. What do you all think ? Thank you !

 

I think these might be reconstituted amber. Or a type of amber.

If you are wearing jeans, take one of the larger beads, press down and rub it quickly against your jeans, then hold it to your face. Amber will be hot. Plastic doesn't get hot.

 

And here is the salt water test.. first picture is with the necklace in salty water and they don't float too much, but is that enough ?

 

There is a chance they might be Copal which is a different resin, looks similar to amber.
Not sure if it reacts the same as amber.

Maybe @Hollyblue @evelyb30 @Deborah will know

 

I didn't know about this test, thank you.. they do get hot.. (and my husband thinks I'm crazy now, but who cares ??)

 

if u keep that up Xris....the beads may not be the only thing ....that gets HOT !!!

Bawhahaha!!!!!!!!!!

 

If that works, I will test amber every night ...

 

Hahahaha!!!!!!!!!

 

Lovely beads Xristina.

It is not enough, but it is a clue. I think you have a necklace with old beads made of an amber and (artificial) resin mix. I have similar beads, they look like amber under UV light, but they are too heavy to be amber.
I know beads like these were made in the Königsberg (Kaliningrad) amber factory in the early 1900s, but there isn't much info on them. You can come across them in different shapes and sizes in antique and Art Deco jewellery, and in ethnic jewellery.

A few examples from my collection, all amber and ? mix:

Russian with gilded clasp:



Ethnic inspired European flapper style necklace with .800 silver, probably Bohemian/Czech:


Yemen, with .833 silver:


You can tell the beads were valued from the fact that they had silver and gilded components and findings.

 

I recently found out from a well known and respected UK dealer that Amber floats in cola and plastics sink.

 

Thank you ! Mine are very light, that's why I thought they are plastic..
You have beautiful pieces in your amber collection !

Thank you, I will try it ! Amber is right on my alley, I'm a jeans and cola type of girl..

 

Thank you Xristina. These are the amber mixes though. But they are just as nice as the genuine amber ones.
I have been trying to muster up the energy to restore a huge antique Yemeni bridal necklace with similar beads. One of my many projects. I have all the replacement parts, but need to hoist it out of the box and get on with it. If I ever finish it, I will post a photo.

 

I've tried that and it floats a little bit, like it did in the saline solution..

I would love to see it when it's done!

 

I will post a pic. If it ever gets done. Me and my projects.

 

We need a support group for this. I have a box (boxes) of stuff that I need to get round to.

 

Project procrastinators anonymous? "I am AJ and I have too many unfinished projects."

@kyratango , I did clean and restring the heidao and amber necklace, but haven't taken photos yet. The creepy white stuff turned out to be pieces of the actual nuts, no nasty beasties.

 

Good news! no unwanted buuugs!
Wanna see them soon!