Great topic to bring up. I have had most of the beads pictured for 35 years and have often wondered what they actually were. About 6 years ago Jamey finally solved the mystery. (Thanks, Jamey)

This is a huge strand with several varieties and colors. At least one half of the beads on this strand have been hand shaped and carved into unusual shapes. A few of the beads are old carnelian beads. Beads range in diameter from 20mm to 50mm.

Back in the 1970s when I bought these I also bought incredibly large examples of this so called "African Amber", back then, they were called "Copal Amber". However, as Jamey taught me, they are actually phenolic resin.

I have had these reddish beads as well as the yellow ones as large as a tennis ball with incredible old patinas, heavily veined with old cracks and a fantastic array of colors. Many of the red beads had burn marks.

The folklore in the early 1970s was the burn marks were caused by putting these beads into fires because they retained heat. Hmmmm? I thought, time for an experiment. (Back then, I was very experimental)

I took a few of the yellow "African Amber" beads and boiled them in vegetable oil and they gradually turned red from the heat. DO NOT TRY THIS AT HOME......the smell is horrible and most likely toxic. Now, I don't know if they actually retain heat but they sure did stink up the kitchen.

Beads similar to those made in the 1930s and 1940s are being made again today in China. The difference is obvious to me.

Regards,

Carl

Carl