It is true that some authentic copal beads come out of West Africa—more so in the past five to ten years than at anytime since the early 20th century. However, since about 1972, tons of plastic beads have been coming abroad from West Africa (primarily Mali), that are CALLED "copal" (or "amber"), but are not that. This was one of the primary topics of my amber article from 1976—to tell the truth and teach people how to make realistic distinctions and identifications.

The beads you show here are plastic copies of amber (or "copal").

Jamey