| Original Message: A 1920s-30's "Miriam Haskell" Style Chinese Charm Necklace with Melted "Cinnabar" |
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Continuing my perverse fascination with these necklaces, recently found another one on eBay, with two deteriorated "cinnabar" beads. I removed the two charms missing their brass bob dangles and the icky cinnabar beads, and re-positioned the salvaged elements. Then I took an exacto-knife to the smaller melted bead. The substance is so soft I can press a fingernail into it, and just being warmed in my hand was enough that I could feel the whole thing give under pressure. The larger bead seems to show some traces of the original layered application of the goo, unless the lines are artifacts of a toothed carving tool. Note how the lower levels of the goo have melted, and seem to ooze like lava. Anyone willing to take a guess as to what this stuff is, and whether the red color comes from rust or from vermilion? Rosanna says a materials analysis starts at $75, and I can't really see paying that for what are, at bottom, junky old beads. All rights reserved by Bead Collector Network and its users |
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