Collectable beads page 2
View beads as slideshow.....
early 20th century
These beads courtesy Travels with my Aunt
early 20th century
Bakelite and Vintage Plastics
Bakelite invented in 1907 by Dr. Baekeland and has become the "generic" term for thermoset phenolic resins.
Bakelite jewellery flourished particularly between the years 1933-41, Depression era costume jewellery. With a richness of colour, a delicious glow, translucence and an incredible depth there is no other material quite like it.
Beads come in a variety of colours often to imitate natural materials, such as Amber both butter and cherry, lovely greens and toffee shades. They come in many shapes and sizes both faceted and smooth.
Best plastic beads won't have any seam, are of very high quality and are highly collectable.
Thermoset plastics also include Catalin, Marblette and Caisene.
Other plastics include Vulcanite, late 19th century. Celluloid , early 20th century and Lucite invented in 1937 and used into the 40's and 50's.
Organic shapes, picked up on beaches etc. polished and drilled.
Translucent with floating layers of colour.
c. 1920 -30's Dimensions 1.2cm x 1.2cm
Organic shapes, picked up on beaches etc. polished and drilled.
Amber and other Natural Materials
This section includes Ambers of different shades and cuts. Natural materials such as Ivory, Bone, Coral, Meersham,Tagua Nut, Pearls, Shell and others.
Read more in Natural Materials page.
found in the river beds of Afghanistan, picked up by herders, polished and drilled.
Large more irregular chunks of faceted Citrine with smaller flattened rounds of faceted Citrine.
Love the shapes and colours of this unusual step cut, faceted Citrine.
found in the river beds of Afghanistan, picked up by herders, polished and drilled.
Gemstone Beads
Including beads such as Citrine, Amethyst, Smokey Quartz, Rubies, Garnets, Carnelian, Iolite, Jades, Lapis Lazuli, Malachite,Banded Agates and others.
Faceted, cut or polished in a myriad of shapes, colours and sizes.
Many more to be added.