| Original Message: Pema Raka ? |
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Hello 999, What makes these beads "linked"? The online Tibetan dictionary has no entry for "pemma." I have always spelled this word "pema." I don't know the possible variable meanings of the word, but I know it is a common female name in Tibet. I was first told the name "pema raka" by my good friend Judith Carlsson, who at that time was a bead seller based in Washington, DC. The spelling was not discussed in this verbal exchange. I have always spelled it as I present it based on phonetics. I don't know of any literature that discusses these beads with this name. I do have a reference to carnelian beads from Tibet, having (as part of their name) "han"—taken to indicate the beads were thought to be Chinese. Because the Chinese have made MANY ornaments from this particular stone (that is, this variety of red agate, and closely related variations), I would not call everything made from this a "pema raka." The pema raka beads are those that were made for the Tibetan market. They are typically, large "nugget" shapes, smaller melon beads, thick disks, and short oblates. If there are other shapes in the greater Tibetan cultural region, I don't think of them at the moment. Your beads appear to be rather new—so I would have to suspect they are reproduction pema raka beads. Jamey All rights reserved by Bead Collector Network and its users |
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