Featured Help i.d. 1930's Bakelite (?) carved amber graduated beads necklace

Discussion in 'Jewelry' started by Peter Jacobs, Feb 7, 2025.

  1. Peter Jacobs

    Peter Jacobs New Member

    Hi all, wondering your thoughts on my 1930's amber phenolic resin (?) necklace with carved (?) graduated beads and period clasp. It feels warmer and not as dense than the Bakelite I am used to. There are 59 carved beads with no apparent mold lines and not individually knotted. Some dark toning along the edges inside the carved areas. The beads are opaque and generally well matched with some tonal variation. The necklace measures 26" in length and the beads range in size from 9-17mm. Appreciate your thoughts!

    IMG_1317 copy.jpg IMG_1325 copy.jpg IMG_1327 copy.jpg IMG_1330 copy.jpg
     
    Last edited: Feb 7, 2025
  2. komokwa

    komokwa The Truth is out there...!

    if u didn't say warmer, I'd say glass.

    nice design though..:happy:
     
    kyratango and Marote like this.
  3. komokwa

    komokwa The Truth is out there...!

    could carnelian be a possibility?
     
  4. evelyb30

    evelyb30 Well-Known Member

    It doesn't look like any bakelite I've ever seen. The clasp looks like another early plastic. If it were bakelite the outside would have darkened instead of getting lighter.
     
    Figtree3 and Dessert58 like this.
  5. Bronwen

    Bronwen Well-Known Member

    Cinnabar?
     
    Figtree3 likes this.
  6. Curioser

    Curioser Well-Known Member

  7. evelyb30

    evelyb30 Well-Known Member

    I'm not familiar enough with galaith to be sure, but I doubt it. It's a similar plastic that smells like rotten milk when you use the chemical bakelite tests on it.
     
  8. Any Jewelry

    Any Jewelry Well-Known Member

    It is a lovely necklace, and it does look and sound like one of the early plastics. Given the gloss and warmth, maybe celluloid?

    Just to be sure, did you test it with baking soda or Simichrome?
     
    Last edited: Feb 8, 2025
    evelyb30 likes this.
  9. ola402

    ola402 Well-Known Member

    Absolutely the best photos! Very professional.
     
  10. Any Jewelry

    Any Jewelry Well-Known Member

    They are very good with great detail.
    But I must say I always have difficulty seeing jewellery on mirrors. It takes my neurodivergent brain too long to see what and how many I am actually looking at.
     
  11. Lucille.b

    Lucille.b Well-Known Member

    Nice clear photos, however I have trouble with mirror photos too.

    This necklace is a puzzler. Clearly that barrel clasp is older or in an older style, but I haven't seen beads like this before. Super shiny, kind of throwing me off. The pink cord also looks modern, but over all does look like a vintage necklace. Please report back if you learn anything definite. It's a cool piece.
     
    Figtree3 and Any Jewelry like this.
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