What are goulimine beads?

Goulimine beads or Love Beads, better known as millefiori or simply as mosaic beads. Slave beads (often called Trade beads) were otherwise decorative glass beads used between the 16th and 20th century as a currency to exchange for goods, services and slaves (hence the name).

How do you identify an antique bead?

When looking at a bead to identify its age, the following considerations are important:

1. Can you see a seam?
2. What sort of texture can you see?
3. Is there a gloss, sheen, or other shiny element to the bead that could help to indicate its origin?
4. Is there any part of the bead’s coloring or finish worn away?

How do you identify trade beads?

How to Identify Trade Beads

1. Hold and examine the bead. Try to determine what material it is made of.
2. Examine the bead for signs of natural aging. Metals change color with age and may be dented or scratched.
3. Consider the style of the bead.
4. Familiarize yourself with the different varieties of handmade beads.

Why were beads so valuable?

Europeans figured that glass beads and other baubles were valuable merely because they were perceived as coveted luxury or prestige items. Glass beads and other trade items were undoubtedly new to Native Americans, but the attributes of their forms, materials and colors were not foreign.

How old are trade beads?

The history of beads dates as far back as 40,000 years ago and have been made by every culture since then. Egyptians were making glass beads by 1365 B.C., and several thousand-year old glass factories in Lebanon are still in production.

How old are African trade beads?

The first glass beads arrived in West Africa before the 15th century via the trans-Saharan trade with North Africa. The importance of such trade was recorded in the writings of Arab travellers during the 12th to 14th centuries. By medieval times, the trans-Saharan trade was well established.

How old are vintage beads?

25 or more years old

Vintage beads are beads that are no longer in production. They are at least 25 or more years old and they are available in materials that include Glass, Crystal, Metal, Bakelite, Ceramic, Plastic and Lucite. There are many different viewpoints regarding what the definition of “Vintage” is.

How do you tell if beads are glass or stone?

How to tell the difference between GLASS, GEMSTONE – YouTube

How do you tell if beads are glass or crystal?

It can be difficult to tell the difference between a glass bead and a crystal or stone bead. By rubbing the bead against your teeth, you can feel the surface. A real stone or crystal will feel gritty and textured. A glass bead being rubbed on your teeth will feel smooth and have no imperfections on its surface.

How do you clean trade beads?

How to clean your Antique African Trade Beads

1. First of all, keep them strung on the raffia.
2. Get a sink partially full of hot soapy water or a large pot full of hot soapy water.
3. Submerge the entire strand of beads into the hot soapy water.
4. Let the beads soak for 5 or 10 minutes.
5. Rinse with warm water.

What are African beads called?

Kiffa beads (sometimes called “saliva beads”) are recycled-glass beads that reportedly have been made in the African country of Mauritania for 1,000 years! Mauritanian women are the typical creators of these festive ornaments.

How do you tell if a bead is glass or plastic?

Check the Bead’s Temperature
Glass beads are cooler to the touch than plastic ones. Pick up the bead in question. If it feels cool in your hand, it is most likely glass. If it feels closer to room temperature or if it warms up quickly in your hand, it is probably plastic.

How do you tell if your stone beads are real?

Are Your Gemstones Real? – Better Beader Episode by PotomacBeads

How can I test my gemstone at home?

5 Simple Gem Tests Anyone Can Do | Unboxing – YouTube

How do you clean African trade beads?

How do you polish sterling silver beads?

Quick Way to Clean Your Sterling Silver Jewelry – YouTube

What does wearing beads mean?

In some African societies, female children are adorned with waist beads by their moms once they get their period to mark their rite of passage into womanhood. These beads symbolise the female child’s transition from childhood to adulthood, proof of her fertility and sexuality.

How can you tell if a bead is crystal?

How do I know if my gemstone is valuable?

How To Identify Valuable Gemstones by Dr. Lori – YouTube

How do you tell if beads are stone or glass?

Place the stone against your front teeth and rub it back and forth. Real stones have tiny imperfections on their surface, while manufactured glass will not. So, glass will feel smooth, while a real stone will feel gritty.

How do you know if a stone is valuable?

The Hardness Test
The harder a mineral is, the more likely it is to be valuable. If you can scratch the mineral with your fingernail, it has a hardness of 2.5 Mohs, which is very soft. If you can scratch it with a penny, its hardness is 3 Mohs, and if it takes a piece of glass to scratch it, the hardness is 5.5 Mohs.

What are African Trade Beads made of?

These beads were made of a variety of things including bone, glass, stone, and more. Glass was the most common material for these beads. West Africa was the best known region for using Trade Beads and often used them for high-class art projects and jewelry.

What are Trade Beads made of?

Glass was one of the most common materials used to make trade beads, as the Venetians perfected a mass-production method which allowed them to produce glass beads in high volume. Traders also used metal, wood, coral, and other materials for their beads.

Can Coke clean silver?

This will work best for smaller items. Simply pour the coke into a bowl and submerge your silver into it. The acid in the coke will quickly remove the tarnish. Keep an eye on it – just a few minutes should be enough.

Does cleaning silver with baking soda damage?

Although using baking soda and aluminum foil can quickly remove tarnish from silverware, some dealers caution against using it on antique silver, as it can be too abrasive and ruin the finish (especially if you’re unsure of the provenance and it’s possible that the pieces are not actually sterling silver).