Cinnabar goo
Re: A 1920s-30's "Miriam Haskell" Style Chinese Charm Necklace with Melted "Cinnabar" -- beadiste Post Reply Edit Forum Where am I?
Posted by: Rosanna Post Reply
07/29/2017, 18:08:57

Chris,
You are right in that it doesn't make sense to have anyone analyze the goo. If it' a complex mixture the analysis would be very tedious, and far more than $75. While it would be interesting to know what went into the goo, I don't think its worth much effort.

Based on your research into this type of material - layered paints or lacquers of various compositions - I suspect one of the following scenarios:

1) the beads are fairly recent, and made from an inexpensive concoction, applied in layers, with some layers not cured properly (usually this is due to poor mixing of the ingredients)- so they are still soft.
2) the beads are older, and made from a mixture that includes a polymer that has partially "reverted" or depolymerized to its more liquid components. This was a problem with some early polyurethanes (maybe up to the 1980s).
3) some other degradation has happened due to moisture absorption, which will affect poorly cured materials as well as some older plastics like Celluloid.

Any idea how old these beauties are?



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