Question about miscellaneous holes drilled in Chinese carved beads

Question about miscellaneous holes drilled in Chinese carved beads
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Posted by: jrj

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09/05/2019, 19:50:52

I have been wondering why there are random-seeming holes in some types of carved Chinese beads that are not terribly old: see the example below. Do they serve as datum or set points for carving machinery? Can someone enlighten me? Thanks!

Also, the price of these carved rose cherry resin beads seems to have taken quite a downturn in the last few years!

Modified by jrj at Thu, Sep 05, 2019, 19:51:56

Are you sure they are carved and not molded? (no text) --- Rosanna ( 2019-09-05 21:56 )
- Re: Are you sure they are carved and not molded? --- jrj ( 2019-09-05 23:18 )
  - Have you tried the reamer or Simichrome tests? --- Rosanna ( 2019-09-06 10:04 )
    - Re: Have you tried the reamer or Simichrome tests? --- jrj ( 2019-09-06 13:58 )
      - Rub a barely wet (with ammonia) q-tip on a smooth area. Will turn mustard yellow if phenolic. (no text) --- Rosanna ( 2019-09-06 14:27 )
    - Test results --- jrj ( 2019-09-06 20:31 )
      - Tests --- jrj ( 2019-09-06 20:59 )
        
        Avoid washing with anything harsh like 409. --- Rosanna ( 2019-09-06 23:26 )
      - Your results indicate that it’s a plastic other than phenolic resin, or maybe real amber --- Rosanna ( 2019-09-06 23:18 )
        
        Photos of necklace and ammonia test results 1 --- jrj ( 2019-09-07 18:13 ) file img
        
        Photos of necklace and ammonia test results 2 --- jrj ( 2019-09-07 18:19 ) file img
Chinese carved beads --- stefany ( 2019-09-06 04:12 )
- Re: Chinese carved beads --- jrj ( 2019-09-06 05:42 )
  - Susan Dod's rose-carved cherry resin beads --- jrj ( 2019-09-06 05:58 ) file img
    - These are 1930s phenolic plastic, carved in China—often sold as "cherry amber." (no text) --- Beadman ( 2019-09-06 07:18 )
    - There is more dark amber undertone to these beads --- Rosanna ( 2019-09-06 15:40 )
      - Sigh.... --- Beadman ( 2019-09-07 01:53 )
        
        Would love to see and test one --- Rosanna ( 2019-09-07 06:05 )
        
        Fracture surfaces of faceted cherry amber bead --- Rosanna ( 2019-09-07 14:42 ) file img
I suppose the shallow concavities are just decorations (!). (no text) --- Beadman ( 2019-09-06 05:56 )
Beadman, I think you are right --- jrj ( 2019-09-06 06:14 )
For comparison - a recent "cherry amber" polyester bead --- Rosanna ( 2019-09-06 14:53 ) file img
- "... the line where the two halves were joined is clearly visible." Seriously? (no text) --- Beadman ( 2019-09-07 01:57 )
  - I’d show you in person but I returned the ball and got a refund (no text) --- Rosanna ( 2019-09-07 05:34 )