Gallery

A digital archive showcasing the extensive collection of jewellery and adornment images shared on the former Ethnic Jewels Ning site over the years. These images have significantly enriched discussions on cultural adornment and its global dispersion.

Amber Necklace from Morocco (?) Fes (?).

Posted by Frankie Carter on December 8, 2013 at 4:05pm

This was described as my title but without the ?s. It was also said to be antique.I have never seen this type of necklace included in any traditional style from Morocco.All the amber is good and, of course, could be called antique. The smaller silver beads look Ethiopian to me. The cross-hatched silver beads look Indian. The latter test as good silver. There may be some evidence of gold wash. It is nylon strung.I bought this in the full knowledge that the title was likely to be inaccurate.I`d be pleased to receive opinions

Comments

Toya December 8, 2013 at 5:06pm

The amber is really lovely. It does not look Moroccan to me, but I am not an expert.
Eva Baby December 8, 2013 at 5:17pm

all I can say, it Looks great! Hope the experts can help with the other things.
Frankie Carter December 8, 2013 at 5:26pm

Thankyou. I really like it just as a necklace so may incorporate the loose beads that came with it in a new restringing on silk.

The colours really ARE lovely and are pretty accurate on my monitor.
ingrid Langerak December 8, 2013 at 5:45pm

Amber, none of them are Ethiopian shapes, lovely nuggets though.
Marie-Ange December 8, 2013 at 10:00pm

Hi Frankie, realy nice amber beads, Baltic amber I guess, what is the size of the larger loose beads? Well done, great find!!
Frankie Carter December 8, 2013 at 10:09pm

Hi Marie-Ange!

Yes, I`m sure it`s Baltic amber. The larger of the loose beads is 4cms long.

Keep well and stay loose xx.
Marie-Ange December 8, 2013 at 10:12pm

yummie large beads!! hang loose xx
Frankie Carter December 8, 2013 at 10:26pm

Hey, M-A - while we`re on the subject of amber, do you know anything about North Sea amber?@ It gets washed up on our coasts sometimes. And probably on yours. I`ve heard that it`s harder than Baltic amber and that you can test it with white spirit. North Sea amber doesn`t react while Baltic amber softens a bit.

(I have a dream - that I can visit Ann at the same time as you and P......!).

Sleep tight, MB xx F.
ingrid Langerak December 8, 2013 at 10:37pm

North Sea amber comes from the dogger bank where they also had found mammouth bones. (a sunken bank in the middle of the north sea. It is dark brown of color. There are some strings of these in the museum of Groningen.
Frankie Carter December 8, 2013 at 10:46pm

Thanks, Ingrid, that`s really interesting. I have an over 100yrs. faceted amber necklace that I think might be North Sea amber. I would call it cognac in colour so that might confirm it.

We get Dogger Bank in our shipping forecasts here in the UK. Usually I`m trying to get off to sleep when I hear the name. Now I`ll get a much more interesting picture in my mind!