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Comments

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  ann February 7, 2013 at 9:09pm

  Amber, but I am no expert.
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  Frankie Carter February 7, 2013 at 9:18pm

  Thanks Ann (hope your OK), the seller said it had tested as such. I don`t know either and I can touch it. My best guess is it could have a bit of bakelite and maybe plastic in it too. If I ever get round to restringing it I`ll do a salt water test on the supposed amber.

  Glad you think it looks the part. I do, too!
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  Toya February 7, 2013 at 10:06pm

  This looks like it contains two or more types of amber beads. The dark thin ones with rounded edges look like those found in Moroccan necklaces. The more yellow ones with straight edges are sometimes called Mali amber. They look real to me, however, I am also no expert. Nice find!
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  Frankie Carter February 7, 2013 at 10:20pm

  Thanks, Toya. Good to learn about "Mali amber", I`ve often wondered about that sort. At last it looks as though I might have something from Mali!

  I love its` altogether beat-up look.
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  Ethnic Embellishments February 7, 2013 at 11:43pm

  Hard to tell for sure, but from the photo, it looks like amber.
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  Frankie Carter February 8, 2013 at 12:07am

  Good to hear that from you, Hillary. Thanks. Although I like many of the fake ambers, it would be nice for once to have some real African amber.
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  ann February 8, 2013 at 6:41am

  Frankie, I am well thank you, this necklace is just great and I laughed at your "beat-up" look - rather like me, old and with dings and dents.

  What a good buy - you do so well on the internet.

  Tell me about the salt water testing please, don't know that one.
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  tayfun February 8, 2013 at 9:25pm

  yes they amber
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  Frankie Carter February 8, 2013 at 10:05pm

  Hi tayfun.

  I see you have an interest in amber so I value what you say. I have just shone ultra violet light on the beads. Interestingly, they ALL became yellow with purple where the light hit directly. Even the dark brown beads. I understand this is one of the colours that can result from a "black" light test. I`ve only seen a blue/purple result before.

  Ann, "beat-up" - you, me and the beads! Wouldn`t have it any other way.

  I find the salt test the easiest and most foolproof of the lot. But no good if the amber is already attached to something else that`s not amber. Dissolve 2.5 tablespoons of salt in water (I use warm water and let it cool). Amber will float in it, plastic and bakelite don`t. Wash and dry the amber afterwards of course though I don`t think salt would hurt it since so much amber is thrown up on beaches.

  Thanks both.
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  Marie-Ange February 9, 2013 at 3:52pm

  Yes fosil amber, great find!!