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They look all very nice. I frankly could not tell the difference by eye!
Such lovely real amber beads. Must they all go to the far east? They even make their own.... well, of some discription.
Oh Frankie, what I meant was that I have sold to the Chinees and Syrian strings of beautiful large chunky Amber from Ethiopia/Somalia those large pieces (like in Angela Fisher 's book) about 7 necklaces and 3 very long chains of egg shaped amber (from the town Harrar tradition, because I needed the funds about two years ago, (hurting now) and these are the only beads I have left and some beads in a short necklace. So these do stay with me I wear them with the cross on a chain and love it. Thank you for your concern.
Ingrid sweetheart, that was not meant to be a criticism of you. After a year of major house repairs, I need funds right now and if anyone came to me with a goodish offer for my amber, I`d take it for sure.
I`m just jealous of anyone that can buy good ethnic jewelry when I can`t - that`s the truth!
I'm very sorry that you had to sell off all of your amber because you needed funds, it actually reminds me of how women of many ethnicities sell of their jewelry in times of need as well. I used to worry about what the Chinese were doing to the amber- melting it, grinding it for traditional medicine?!- until I asked a customer of ours. He replied that he makes necklaces for his wife and all of her friends loved them and had to have their own! I am somewhat heartened to know that these ancient amber beads seem to be very well protected and respected in Chinese collections.
I agree, Hillary, that is heartening to know - that such items are actually being valued for what they are. I rather worried that they might be being melted to form those big traditional beads that are worn at the Sichuan horse festival. Though I know the latter are faux or copal, I had a worrying suspicion that it might have become de rigueur among the wealthier to have real baltic amber beads.
Dear Frankie and Hillary, thank you for being concerned about me. But the funds helped me at that time and I have seen also what the dealer does with it. He does not melt it he works one bead into a bracelet or a one bead necklace. The chinees bhoedist does believe strongly in amber for protection. Actually so does the Koreans. When they get married they must have a ring or buttons made of amber. It is like you said frankie it is now impossible to replace them into ones collection. Hope you will have warm and festive holidays. Gr. Ingrid.