Need advice as to whether these beads are amber please

I bought these 3 large beads in a box of jewelry at an estate sale. I have looked on line at some of the photos and only managed to confuse myself more. I do not understand why there are lines on the sides. Do you believe they are real amber and why? The largest measures about 1 3/4 inches in diameter by 1 in tall. .

 

interesting.......

 

Yes and puzzling.

 

should float in salt water .....not after you have soaked your teeth in it....lol

 

No, I don't. For one they are a composite of three layers and shimmer like some plastics do.
And they don't fluoresce, they reflect the UV light.

 

Thank you. I had my doubts but my hopes were present also.

Thank you pewter2, they sank like lead. I may have all the wrinkles and aches, but still have my teeth...for now. Ha.

 

Thank you for a definitive answer, it was confusing to me. Hope runs eternal, but.

 

It does, and it is always good to ask here, just in case.

 

They're some sort of plastic. I'd cheerfully make a necklace of them, but they're not amber.

 

Can I add here, that I poured boiling water over these and they have a smell. Not resin, kind of light light mothball but not really a mothball smell. I know not real helpful, but I can't pin the smell down. Not pine, maybe camphor-ish. Could it be celluloid? It got ever so slightly tacky when I poured the hot water on it. Does that help narrow down what kind of material it is made out of?

 

Alynnfin//// I think from your info that your beads may be bakelite..made from a composition of Phenol. derived from coal tar and formaldehyde derived from alcohol/ methanol. when heated they exude a smell described as a musty phenol smell and is a method of identifying bakelite. That smell you describe certainly fits with above ,....Regards ..H.

 

I agree.

 

Thank you. I was wondering about celluloid.

Thank you so much.

 

In my opinion, not ideal to pour boiling water on Bakelite or any plastic to test. The fact that they got "tacky" after the test means you may have slightly melted the surface.

These don't look like Bakelite to my eye, the pearlized swirls, too shiny, also the layering of the sides (shown in the UV pictures), don't point to Bakelite.

Also not celluloid, IMO. The color being not right for celluloid.

The smell you describe does sort of sound like the Bakelite smell you get (I've heard the smell described as "burning insulation"--it's a very distinctive smell, once smelled you never forget), but with boiling water could also be a reaction from another plastic.

They are pretty, just don't think they are Bakelite.

 

Ok. I do have a pawn shop with an owner who took geology courses. It is not close, but she has always been agreeable to help me, although I do not abuse that and it is hard not to. I will try to remember to post her reply if she feels she is certain. Thanks all!