added some to the collection recently.

I think I need to stop collecting these:)

The yellow shaped ones in the center are really cool.

Wow - are those old or new? Or are they old and just uncirculated? Beautiful!

Thanks, they are all old early 1900's, some were uncirculated.

I would think that the two outer strands are old Czech beads.

You don't think the molded yellow in the center are? If not, what is you best guess. They are heavy.

I missed that you already pointed out that you thought they were Czech. Because of the others you were showing I thought people might mistake then for Czech.

About the center strand. Are they indeed molded? Is there a seam? I think they may be lampworked and then rolled into a one part mold to get the grooves and final shape. I have seen Czech lampworkers do this quite often. (Same with Indian and probably Venetian as well). It does not look like a shape that I think is molded with tongs in a two part mold. It is also a shape that could be made freehand, but they very consistent, so it would surprise me.

They are less consistent than I thought. They do look entirely freehand. I think Czech is most likely, but would not rule out Venetian.

took a real close look with a loop, no seem so it's free hand mold rolled probably. thank you for the feedback Floor its appreciated.
Wayne

Just bought a nice necklace with beads by The Dot Artist, featuring some sort of jade simulant.

Susan Dods' collection has some carved beads from this stone, which she describes as serpentine. However, somewhere in the back of my mind is the Chinese description as "mountain jade" and that it's a type of marble. My gemo equipment is packed away, so no refractometer handy to help clear up the ID, thus I'm going with Susan. But if anyone knows anything different, let's hear it.

Photographed against a slab of actual jadeite rough from Burma.

The clasp is stamped "Silver." Circa 1970s, more or less? Notice how they've been carefully graduated, unlike more uniformly produced beads from the 1990s.

Would serpentine give such a high polish? Could it be pale jade that is dyed?

The stone is noticeably heavy and hard, and - as you observed - the polish is a bit brighter than one would expect for the usual varieties of serpentine used to imitate jade. However, some serpentines have a hardness around 6 (higher than jade), which would account for the polish.
Dye was my first thought, too, but loupe examination doesn't show typical traces of dye - the green coloring looks natural.

So...further bulletins as events warrant, I guess.

I'm still on a old phenolic / Bakelite bead kick, focused mostly on beads that were traded to Africa and subsequently altered by re-shaping, heating, carving, etc. I have "a lot" of them now!

My latest acquisition!

PS I'm still actively searching for any information about where the original phenolic beads were made and would appreciate any tips or even guesses about where to look. Currently I'm poking around into a possible connection between the machining of Bakelite billiard balls and the machining of smaller balls for beads. But nothing so far that is documented.

PPS Killer Venetians, Wayne!

Love the double drilled ones (as usual) ! :) :) You keep finding these! Nice new piece, and I'm on the same kick as you (plus some others). I'm sure you'll enjoy as will all that get to see you wear them. Lynne

I've been on way too big a spree, but can't seem to not buy when I find great old pieces! Some of my new finds, although these are just the photos they were sold with, and haven't taken my own yet, so some of these pieces don't show how absolutely incredible the beads are. This one has some fabulous old coral..and the center bead is enormous & wonderful.

I didn't think I'd keep this one strung as I purchased, as I didn't like the pearls, or so I thought. But they are incredible & have a lustre that is so beautiful. They look incredibly old, although I don't know pearls at all. The few old Tibetan turquoise beads are so beautiful worn with an amazing patina and softness to them. Doesn't come through with the photo at all, but still wanted to share because I love the entire necklace! Lynne

These are even worse photos, but I've been lucky to find a few lots with some amazing antique Tibetan hairbeads, which I've always loved. Have to figure out how to work with them now! Haven't seen these yet in person, but they were still a great find to share & hope you enjoy as well. Lynne

Wonderful finds! Thanks for sharing!

I was just struck by these 3 praying figures. I apologize they are not beads, but thought those on this forum may still appreciate, so I hope it wasn't wrong to show here! One of the smaller ones is stone, and the other two carved from wood. I believe they are Himalayan anamistic figures..Perhaps 1800s? But not sure and would love to hear from anyone who may know about them. I was just connected to them and felt that I wanted them around me. Lynne

I was just struck by these 3 praying figures. I apologize they are not beads, but thought those on this forum may still appreciate, so I hope it wasn't wrong to show here! One of the smaller ones is stone, and the other two carved from wood. I believe they are Himalayan anamistic figures..Perhaps 1800s? But not sure and would love to hear from anyone who may know about them. I was just connected to them and felt that I wanted them around me. Lynne

Two fun ancients -

The yellow one: crazy-rare glass flower pattern mosaic bead from around the time of Cleopatra (Egypt became a Roman provence in 30 BCE, and this bead dates from 100 BCE - 200 AD). Most likely, the bead was made in Alexandria during the period Egypt was a Roman provence. Bead measures about 14 mm in diameter.

The brown one: Beautiful mosaic glass bead, dating from the Roman Empire (200 - 500 AD). Bead measures 13 mm in diameter.

Abe @ Beadstore.com

Absolutly gorgeous. I have never seen The first bead, really splendid. Thanks for sharing

Here are 2 larger ovals that are less common.

-Matt