I've been buying resin or plastic beads like those in your pictures for the past 10 or so years from Chinese, Indian and Indonesian sources. I've seen them in Thailand that I guessed to be either Chinese or Indonesian.
Mohammed Soumareh had some similar a few years ago that he said he got in Kuala Lumpur. Doesn't mean they were made there, just that was his source.
I know that is not a very definitive answer. Fake amber is popular and made in a number of places.
Hello Kathleen,
Do the right (or lower) oval beads have a sort of "pearly" sheen?
They remind me of recent beads I have seen, used as "worry beads" made for the Greek and Middle Eastern market--like a Muslim hand rosary. But those beads are fairly small--and your photo does not present a scale.
I would recommend hot-needling these beads to determine what plastic(s) they are made from.
Be well. Jamey
Hi Jamey and Russ,
Yes Jamey they do have a "pearly sheen" - similar to that of fiber optic glass sheen - The size is 15mm x 13mm with a 3mm hole.
What is your interpretation of "recent"? And I do not know how to determine type of plastic(s), - plastic smells like plastic - but I cannot differentiate types of plastic. (amber smells like sap)
the red/amber strand of beads measure 12mm x 7mm to 20mm x 16mm - 2.5 - 3mm hole.
I assume they imitate/simulate amber but could not remember their story. I purchased years ago as stated.
Both were purchased through some of my African vendors.
Close up images attached.
Warm Regards,
Working with some plastic bead makers in Bali a few years back I was told that the pearlescent effect was something as simple as a powder (like baby powder?) added to the beads.
Language was a problem with our dialog so it may be that they really use "pearl powder" recovered from drilling pearls. I know we saw that drilling residue saved in Zhuji, the FWP center in China, where, we were told it was sold into Japan as facial powder.
When Dee experimented with various methods of heating various fake amber beads she created some sparkly crazing inside some of the beads. The pearly look is more of a surface effect.
