Please do not mistake my motives or goals.

When I write about the phenomenon of using terms like "cultural amber" my intent is NOT to validate nor to sanction that use. (Far from it!)

My intent is to state that this is what has happened, continues to happen, and how and why it happened.

In the present context, the question was asked whether old plastic beads imitating amber have any value and/or merit the high prices they command. My reply is that they have had a cultural use by Africans, are as old as they are, are as scarce as they are, and remain collectible.

Ideally, I think it would be nice if dealers (such as Liza—but also MANY others), and if Africans who sell to them, would ALL drop the pretense that the beads we are talking about are "amber." This has been my goal since I first wrote about these issues in 1974.

As a matter of fact, one of the primary reasons I became a bead researcher is precisely because, as an artist, I had made several necklaces using these big phenolic beads, and had sold them (sometimes to friends of mine) as "African amber." When I discovered the beads were plastic, not only was I disappointed that I had been lied to—but I was also concerned that I had become part of the problem by then selling the beads with a false identification. So, it has FOR A VERY LONG TIME it has been my goal to educate myself, and then educate others about beads and beadwork.

I have done more than any other person to deal with this phenomenon, for 30 years now. Please don't make it sound as though I were part of the problem—when I have been the solution longer than anyone (!).

Jamey