Post: Post Reply: They are very different beads! Bob's pema raka beads are probably 200-300 years old. by Beadman

Original Message: They are very different beads! Bob's pema raka beads are probably 200-300 years old.

Dear Yankee,
I am a bit surprised you cannot see the differences between these bead groups. I do not doubt that the recent Indian beads copy the much older pema raka beads, with considerable intention, but not the greatest fidelity (!).
The material of all beads of or related to the pema raka group is very different from Indian agate. This material is (generally) more opaque and of a distinctive burnt orange color. Some beads look like jasper (though they are not). In the Ming Dynasty, the Chinese also carved this material into high-status articles of considerable merit—of which I have documented several specimens.
I suspect this odd carnelian comes from Chinese Turkestan (Kashgaria), or some place accessible to both China and the Greater Persian Empire
Presently, new pema raka beads seem to be made from the same material, though now tending to be slightly more translucent, but still distinct from Indian carnelian, and from artificially-made Chinese carnelian (sourced from Brazil).
Jamey.
Copyright 2024
All rights reserved by Bead Collector Network and its users

Original Message: They are very different beads! Bob's pema raka beads are probably 200-300 years old.
Dear Yankee, I am a bit surprised you cannot see the differences between these bead groups. I do not doubt that the recent Indian beads copy the much older pema raka beads, with considerable intention, but not the greatest fidelity (!). The material of all beads of or related to the pema raka group is very different from Indian agate. This material is (generally) more opaque and of a distinctive burnt orange color. Some beads look like jasper (though they are not). In the Ming Dynasty, the Chinese also carved this material into high-status articles of considerable merit—of which I have documented several specimens. I suspect this odd carnelian comes from Chinese Turkestan (Kashgaria), or some place accessible to both China and the Greater Persian Empire Presently, new pema raka beads seem to be made from the same material, though now tending to be slightly more translucent, but still distinct from Indian carnelian, and from artificially-made Chinese carnelian (sourced from Brazil). Jamey. Copyright 2024 All rights reserved by Bead Collector Network and its users

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