Chinese Engraved Amber Beads Necklace

Any thoughts on real amber or not, old or recent etc.. Red beads hard and cold, coral maybe? The fish is most likely synthetic resin, the pendant, crystal with painted paper. Maybe they were added later.
Thanks

 

I'll say yes to the carved red coral.

 

And no on the amber; it looks like a synthetic. Actually, it looks like the new "bakelite" rather than amber. The necklace isn't old at all; it's what I call "vintage last week". It probably looks good on though - especially with a black shirt so it really pops.

 

Thanks for your opinion.
Are there some specific features in the appearance that make the beads not being amber but synthetic?
Also, curious what makes them last week made?
Thanks

 

I've seen a lot of the real thing, and a lot of bakelite. The internal "streaks" look more like marbled plastic than amber. I've never seen the real thing banded like that. As for "last week" that's just my term for things made recently. It could be 20 years old, but it's not 50.

 

On the other hand, it's hard to tell from a photo; you might need a good jeweler to tell the difference.

 

Agreed, Eve, not terribly old and synthetic "amber" beads.

 

The findings are fairly recent, too, with that type of clasp and the wire wrapping in the bottom drop area.

 

According to several online website on dating jewelry parts, the clasp on this necklace, toggle clasp, weren't used until the 1940s, 50s, 60s. Here are a few examples of the websites:

3rd paragraph down:
"Vintage jewelry necklaces were made with many styles of clasps. Most notable were spring ring, hook clasp, box clasp, fold over clasp, and fish hook clasp. Others used, but not as commonly, were barrel clasp and toggle clasps. Lobster claw clasps were a later invention, so they are not found on vintage pieces, unless the clasp has been changed at some point."

9th paragraph:
"Finally, barrel clasps and toggle clasp were used. These are often used today, so the metal condition is important to note when trying to date a piece with this type of clasp. Most older ones have developed a sort of brass like patina as they age. If you see shiny goldtone or silvertone barrel clasps or toggle clasps, the piece is likely to be a newer creation."

http://collectingvintagejewelry.blogspot.com/2009/01/collecting-vintage-jewelry-part-6-types.html

From Wiggins' Warman's Costume Jewelry: Identification and Price Guide, "Bracelet Clasps,: pp. 218-219:
"Toggle clasps were used sparringly in the 1950s and 1960s, but more frequently going forward."

https://books.google.com/books?id=oAw5AwAAQBAJ&pg=PA218&lpg=PA218&dq=Dating+jewelry+toggle+clasps&source=bl&ots=4pgRKZfB7I&sig=YwrHoUn2E3MgrDb5iyutHLRAD-g&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0CEQQ6AEwCGoVChMI7J7Wjsn-yAIVRjo-Ch1UgAdD#v=onepage&q=Dating jewelry toggle clasps&f=false

--- Susan

 

It doesn't mean the beads couldn't be older; I just strung some bakelite ones last night, and those have modern findings. In this case though they don't have much age on them.

 

Very true. Back when I made jewelry, I'd mix beads from many different eras.