Hi Christine,

The name "cherry amber" is most often applied to phenolic plastic imitations that are translucent and red (or reddish). The material is NOT "Bakelite," though like Bakelite it is a phenolic plastic. (Bakelite is not translucent and colorful, and does not make pretty ornaments.)

You are correct that this is essentially the same material as was used for making fake (yellow, but also lots of colors) amber beads, such as are found throughout Africa and the Moslem/Muslim world. This plastic was developed in 1926, and was common by the early 1930s.

Regarding "red amber" in nature. Although most amber is yellow (ranging from pale to dark—that is, white to brown), two issues crop up in this context. As amber ages (oxidizes, essentially) it darkens in color. This darkening can take on a red or reddish tonality. The majority of ancient amber pieces that are recovered are dark in color, and OFTEN reddish. (I will show this in my photos from Italy some time soon.) The oxidation that is responsible for darkening the color of amber, in some instances, happened very long ago—so that this amber, when mined, is already red (or reddish). This quality of amber is more common from non-Baltic sources, such as from Burma, Sicily, México, and the Dominican Republic.

This red or reddish natural amber might sometimes be called "cherry amber," but it is generally NOT the strident artificial red of imitations. The color is most often so dark, we can only see the color in transmitted light. And the color we see, while pleasing, has a natural tonality, with variations in hue and saturation, swirling structure, and often enclosures that make dark spots. (Of course, these features can be imitated, but in most "cherry amber" they are not. It's just plastic.)

The name "cherry amber" should be discarded. Most of the stuff called this is fake; most natural red amber is NOT the colors of cherries; and the name itself causes an expectation that the material should look like the fakes and not like the actual amber.

I hope this helps. Jamey

Thank you very much, Jamey. I have sold two cherry amber necklaces on ebay only to have the buyers wish to return the beads because they are plastic! All the cherry amber I see sold on ebay is in fact, plastic. So, from now on, I will explain what cherry amber is when i offer it for sale on ebay. Its sure that I won't get any bids!

I love these beads, they are not "amber," no... but lovely. Here are two pieces I made using the round variety, mixed with historical/antique beads, other regional/world beads and silver.

Joy

Plastic replicas of amber are great in jewelry - they're pretty and they keep the weight down a bit compared to glass or stone. But the phrase "cherry amber" is a pet peeve of mine. "Cherry Amber" is one of the very first "collectible beads' purchases I made in the early 80s at an antique store. It was 99.00 for a strand of graduated faceted oval beads, lovely, I thought. I bought 'em on layaway. A hundred bucks was what I lived on for a week back then. A year or so after, probably at Jamey's amber talk in 1983, I learned they were genuine plastic. I put them away for about 5 years and didn't even look at them. Until I came across a book about vintage plastic in jewelry, with value guide, and found my beads actually were worth what I paid for them. Then, I felt better about owning them, but still encounter antique dealers at many shows and collectives who try to sell the stuff as "cherry amber" and will argue about it. It's been going on for a few generations before the internet existed...

The dark red ones were sold to me as 'cherry amber' in the 1960s.

I restrung them with the mottled orange ones, which came in a choker-length strand (beads connected by wires with small loops at each end, with short chain ending in hook supposed to hook over short chain on the other end that ended in a smaller one of same bead). This was also bought in the 1960s, from the style I think was late 1940s to early 1950s. Must also be plastic.

But I too like the light weight.

Snap

and i have made many lovely necklaces with these beads. Why, it is refered to as amber is a mystery to me but, it is absolutely HOT now! One necklace just went on ebay for over $600, over 25 bids. I wore a cherry amber necklace at an antique flea market and received numerous compliments1 These sell for a lot of money! Like Bakelite, it is expensive Plastic!!!

So (and wrongly!) called Cherry Amber old Trade Beads, with white coral and coconut shell heishi, strung on waxed cotton string.
The larger beads are 29,5x21 mm. (1,16"x0,82") and the necklace is 60 cms. ( + 23").

Christine,

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

Hi Carl,

I guess you learned some of this from me about six years ago, but I have been teaching this stuff since 1976. (I don't want to encourage the perception that six years ago is when I learned it--you see. I have been advocating for a better understanding of the amber marketplace since the series of articles I wrote for The Bead Journal when I was twenty-four.)

I don't think boiling cast phenolic plastics in oil would be a toxic process. Unpleasant, yes. But as long as it's done in good ventilation, it's probably harmless. There is some tendency for breakage, however. Beads with internal flaws or cracks can break apart. So it's not always successful—and not every yellow phenolic bead turns red.

The Chinese began selling African fake amber beads in the 1980s, usually without saying the beads were from Africa—but definitely misrepresenting them as "amber." I am not surprised that they eventually began manufacturing their own versions—and I recall when I began to see them in the marketplace. However, I believe most of these beads are not phenolic plastic. The makers have just achieved a similar look for their fakes, but using other (more modern) plastics. Generally, these seem to be thermolabile, whereas phenolic plastics are thermosetting. The differences can be spotted visually, and demonstrated physically.

Jamey

'Amber' suddenly appeared in quantities in gem markets in Manila and Bangkok last year. They sell by weight and it is expensive. I've never used it as it is definitely a case of caveat emptor in these markets, where vendors will tell you anything and everything.

So how do I know real amber from the plastic? Given the domination of Chinese goods in all SEAsian markets it seems very probable the 'amber' is from there.

You mentioned amber was 'thermolabile, whereas phenolic plastics are thermosetting', please would you be kind enough to explain what this means?

Hi Barbara,

This information has been posted quite a few times. At my Yahoo Group for amber enthusiasts, there is a long document about testing amber, that is very useful. See the link below.

"Thermolabile" means the material softens when warmed and hardens when cooled.

"Thermosetting" means that once the material is set, it will no longer soften and become moldable.

Thermolabile plastics have been around since ca. 1869; while thermosets (like Bakelite) were invented in 1906. Of course, MANY "natural plastics" (amber, pitch, any resin, asphalt, etc) would be considered thermolabile too.

Jamey

Scroll down to the lower messages, and read a past dialogue on this topic.

JDA.

Hi All.I found this a very interesting thread and wondered if anyone could shed some light on this bead/pendant.Purchased about 20 years ago in Portobello Road London as a plastic bead from a gipsies costume (for one english pound)but it holds static electricity to pick up paper and chips like amber as visible in one image.It is also hand cut but i know many plastics can be worked like this.Could it be Burmese Cherry Amber?

an interesting shape and looks perhaps individually cut not moulded!
However the "static electricity" test works equally with many plastics.
I'd try the "flotation in a saturated salt solution" or small scale scraping test inside the perforation to confirm whether plastic or natural resin, etc.
PS did you ever visit my bead shop at no. 259 near the bridge while you were in Portobello Road? we closed in 2001 after nearly 20 yrs...

Stefany

Thanks Stefany,

Unfortunately"flotation in a saturated salt solution" or small scale scraping test inside the perforation is not possible till the rubber cord deteriorates as it has glued ssilver caps which wont fit through the hole.I did rub it for a long time and it never realy smelt natural so I guess in the meantime i will have to live with it being plastic.Regardless it is a nice item that my partner Clare has had much enjoyment wearing and many comments from.

I did visit your bead shop.Last visit was in 1996 as we dont often get to London living downunder.From memory a great shop where I did find a few treasures.

Regards Andrew

Hi Stefany,
So you had that gorgeous shop in Portobello road. I remember it well and miss it like my childhood dog, Bello. I don't know you remembered me, I often came in to browse, I had dark long hair and a fringe and a bit excentrically dressed with a strong dutch accent. You used to sell those amazing millifiores. Hope to get in touch with you as I've got a bit of remenissing and bead talk to do with you. Take care, Nicolette.

Hi Andrwp,

It is most likely plastic. Please read the messages above, and remember what I said about color. The majority of Burmese amber is not "red," but rather "reddish"—tending toward a murky orange-brown. Large pieces are rare, and it is often not really translucent, because of all the gunk in it.

Via rubbing, cast phenolic plastics take a negative static electric charge, and will thereby attract small light materials. Consequently, since 1906, this has been a non-valid test for "amber." However, if you rub the piece for about a minute, it will present the smell of carbolic acid—demonstrating that it is plastic. This is the same smell you would get from rubbing the Bakelite handle on a pan in your kitchen.

Practically all cast phenolic articles (in the jewelry arena) are hand-cut from a preformed stock (blocks, plates, rods, and tubes).

Take care. Jamey

Thanks Jamey,I did the rub test suggested and now have to agree it certainly seems plastic.No natural smell.Regardless i will continue to enjoy it as the colour is really nice and it has attracted many comments when worn by my partner Clare. Thanks for you helpI always enjoy reading your comments on the forum Regards Andrew

I am reminded of peppers, or Indian corn. I'd love to feel these - they appear to be so smooth; like they'd be a pleasure to hold.