Featured Necklace of metal petals? pinecones? hops? and plastic beads

I had to look up what hops look like, and I think you're definitely onto something there.

 

Miracle more like! The expedition normally takes weeks of planning and stringent risk assessments!

 

Thank you!
It's nice to hear how likeable this unusual necklace is.

 

Red bakelite doesn't react like other colors, unless you mean the black or dark brown. Those are real bakelite and don't react to anything short of a dremel. the red... dip a damp q-tip in baking soda and rub, hard. With bakelite it'll turn yellow to brown and give off a formaldehyde smell if you hold/rub near your nose. Galaith emits a rotten milk smell; it's made with milk protein. Celluloid will smell of mothballs, for that matter.

 

And copious supplies of malt whisky.....

 

If I drank... sometimes I wish I drank. ...

 

No reaction or color transfer on the damp Q-tip covered in baking soda

 

You've got me then. Could be early lucite/perspex or another early plastic.