Is it possible these beads are recent made in Indonesia? Maybe other newer plastics were used to create them.
Is it possible these beads are recent made in Indonesia? Maybe other newer plastics were used to create them.
Thank you for your answer. Is there a way to test this, or to test for faturan?
The density of polyester is about the same as phenolic resin so the beads probably “feel” as heavy.
Please send me your email by private message here and I’ll send you some info on Faturan, one of the early trade names for phenolic resin.
I am not aware that anyone has presented a strand of imitation-amber prayer beads (nor other formats) that can be identified as consisting of "Faturan."
For the most part, the "story of Faturan" is presented as an impossible fable (if only because the time presented is 100 years too early).
Without exception, the beads I have seen that were being misrepresented as "Faturan" were (I am confident) merely European cast phenolic plastic beads. I do not refer to these products as "Bakelite" for reasons I have explained many many times.
I cannot identify your beads from a photo. But I can recommend that you perform the rub test, brine test, and hot-needle test—and perhaps you will have a more-clear idea what your beads consist of.
Here's a link from 2006: http://beadcollector.net/cgi-bin/anyboard.cgi?fvp=/openforum/&cmd=iYz&aK=41103&iZz=41103&gV=0&kQz=&aO=1&iWz=0
Jamey
In this dialogue, note my multiple replies toward the end, and that tests for "amber" are included and described.
http://beadcollector.net/cgi-bin/anyboard.cgi?fvp=/openforum/&cmd=iYz&aK=41959&iZz=41959&gV=0&kQz=&aO=1&iWz=0
Please let me know if this doesn't work.
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/346974078_A_Faturan_Phenolic_Resin_Bead_Sample_Card
If you join the Society of Bead Researchers, you will get two Newsletters a year with short bead articles like this as well as the annual journal, BEADS.
I am very disinclined to believe these beads are actually "Faturan." Rather, I suppose whomever made this card appropriated the name and attached it to the card and the beads.
Faturan beads were being advertised in the interwar period, so what makes you think the card was mislabeled?
