Need advice as to whether these beads are amber please

Discussion in 'Jewelry' started by alynnfin, Jan 23, 2025.

  1. alynnfin

    alynnfin Well-Known Member

    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. IMG_4543__1737680923_77950.jpg IMG_4542__1737680950_97411.jpg IMG_4537__1737681001_31665.jpg IMG_4534__1737681061_86099.jpg .
     
    Last edited: Jan 23, 2025
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  2. komokwa

    komokwa The Truth is out there...!

    interesting.......
     
  3. alynnfin

    alynnfin Well-Known Member

    Yes and puzzling.
     
  4. pewter2

    pewter2 Well-Known Member

    should float in salt water .....not after you have soaked your teeth in it....lol:joyful:
     
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  5. Any Jewelry

    Any Jewelry Well-Known Member

    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.
     
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  6. alynnfin

    alynnfin Well-Known Member

    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.
     
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  7. alynnfin

    alynnfin Well-Known Member

    Thank you for a definitive answer, it was confusing to me. Hope runs eternal, but.
     
    Last edited: Jan 24, 2025
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  8. Any Jewelry

    Any Jewelry Well-Known Member

    It does, and it is always good to ask here, just in case.;):)
     
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  9. evelyb30

    evelyb30 Well-Known Member

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

    alynnfin Well-Known Member

    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?
     
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  11. pewter2

    pewter2 Well-Known Member

    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.
     
    Last edited: Jan 27, 2025
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  12. Any Jewelry

    Any Jewelry Well-Known Member

    I agree.
     
  13. alynnfin

    alynnfin Well-Known Member

    Thank you. I was wondering about celluloid.
    Thank you so much.
     
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  14. Lucille.b

    Lucille.b Well-Known Member

    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.
     
    Last edited: Jan 29, 2025
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  15. alynnfin

    alynnfin Well-Known Member

    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!
     
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