Dear Thomas and Carl,
your post, Thomas, but also Carl not responding to the two posts I wrote on Carlīs "Fulani strand", letīs me assume you, Thomas, felt Carl needed be comforted more than receiving my honest statement (without honey and cream)with credibility, at least insoforth Moroccan amber is concered.

This is not really about being an expert on amber, I believe! And it makes no difference if you or me, Thomas, or my neighbour "Eusebiusz" likes Carlīs strand. We were just trying to figure out, if this was a traditional Fulani strand, possibly more of "Moroccan origin" or Fulani beads mixed with Moroccan amber.

If we, no, I should say you, you Thomas and others on BCN just want to avoid a possibly "hurt for an ownerīs feelings" - possibly in preparation to get simelar positve reviews on own pieces at a later time, no real research can be conducted. What is the sense of this for a beadcollector network? And what are the results?

If we all congratulate Carl (Carl stands as one exmple here)for no other reason but making him smile, he might go to the next bead-show to buy more "Fulani-amber" who possibly werenīt. Itīs a very normal and human reflex to see our own pieces in a somewhat milder, gentler light, than the pieces of others. That is one thing, a very different is objective facts, knowledge in the widest and best sense.

We do all bead loving and bead buying Carlīs and Thomases and Bondīs no favour, if we applaude for no other reason, than celebrating ourselves. Like that we get farer and farer away from what we should all be after: gaining knowledge and sharing it with those who want to know.

That principle must always come first. Carl is an adult and can deal with critics, especially when feeling that it was posted in all honesty, not to put him or his strand down.

Depending on Carlīs intentions, it may not play much of a role for him anyway, if this strand is from "Fulani-Mali" or Morocco - or a mix of both places. In another context though - like our discussion now, for example - it is very well a relevant and important question, we could all benefit and learn from.

Because then, Thomas, you didnīt have to start your next post on Fulani-amber with an, quote:

"I can only say Iīm not an amber expert"

Itīs about learning - not about applause for personal reasons!

Reading your post a second time, itīs seems as if you had taken my previous infos not even in account.

JAMES - your personal BOND!