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Pema Raka Beads Revisited
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Posted by: Beadman Post Reply
09/07/2006, 17:14:07

Hi you all,

Here's a necklace I completed last evening, consisting of nice but typical pema raka beads. These are usually associated with Tibet, and are made from a distinctive kind of carnelian. The stone is typically verging on opaque (though it can be translucent), and is usually a warm butterscotch brownish-orange. Some stones are fairly clear (unpatterned), while others show some degree of nodule structure (are agatized, or have massive quartz bands or fortress boxes).

The old beads have large perforations, and it is said they were worn "in the hair"—which may mean they were strung onto tiny braids, since this is one type of coiffeur Tibetan women of some regions favored.

There are also a LOT of new beads, made in China from the same agate, often passed-off as old beads—thought their appearance is recognizable. The new beads tend to be much more translucent, and they typically have a perforation that is large at one aperture, and small at the other. (In other words, they would not make good hair beads.)

The owner of the present group was told that these beads "came out of Afghanistan"—and he further implied that ALL pema raka beads are not Tibetan but rather Central Asian. I have maintained for many years that the stone itself may come from a source that is not Indian (like the vast majority of carnelian beads from Asia), but may have been accessible to China, Tibet, and as far away as Afghanistan. I have suggested it might be Chinese Turkistan—because this location fits the requirements. Time will tell....

In any event, the idea that these beads are "Afghan," rather than Himalayan or "Chinese" is a surprise. There are some very attractive melon-form beads made from this agate, that are found among the old beads of both Central Asia and the Himalayas—and I think THESE beads are the common-denominator. However, the large pema raka beads, known to come from Tibet, are certainly not known by me to come from Afghanistan.

Has anyone else heard this (new) story lately?

Jamey

9520_NL_pemeraka.jpg (40.0 KB)  


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Pema Raka Beads
Re: Pema Raka Beads Revisited -- Beadman Post Reply Edit Forum Where am I?
Posted by: joyce Post Reply
09/09/2006, 20:38:58

Jamey,

Beautiful necklace! Will it be worn by a man or woman? I think anyone could wear this fine necklace elegantly. I have not heard of the new theory you describe.

I have been waiting for the chance to show this bead, my one pema raka. This came as a very gracious gift from an earnest and sincere eBay seller, for helping her out last summer and this summer with a few bead id's. It was such a pleasure to get to know her a little. I love this fat old bead. I weighed it before stringing, I think it's just under 2 ounces. It's about 30mm x 48mm. I've strung it with uncirculated Conterie white hearts, sprinkled with a few other complimentary Venetian beads - rare little brown 3-layer chevrons, other small star beads and a few turquoise blue white hearts. All early 20th century beads. The 6 strands twist nicely into a short necklace.

09-09pemaroca.jpg (24.6 KB)  


Modified by joyce at Sat, Sep 09, 2006, 20:40:44

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All rights reserved by Bead Collector Network and its users
Thanks! Nice necklace too.
Re: Pema Raka Beads -- joyce Post Reply Edit Forum Where am I?
Posted by: Beadman Post Reply
09/10/2006, 06:15:13



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