THE BEAD GLOSSARY
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AGATE, ANCIENT DETAILS: Sourced in Afghanistan and Pakistan, these ancient agate stones are believed to be approximately 1000-2000 years old. The agate is one of oldest stones in recorded history, and have been used in jewelry since Biblical Babylonian times. SYMBOLISM OF AGATE: Agate attracts strength, protects from bad dreams, stress and energy drains. Agates with banded color would be placed at the head of a person sleeping to give rich and varied dreams. |     |
AMAZONITE, SMALL (tubular beads)
DETAILS: Ancient amazonite beads discovered in Mali, West Africa. These beads were used for trade by Arab traders who were doing business in Mali BC. Amazonite beads were found, during an archeological dig in India, that dated to 4000BC. AMAZONITE, LARGE (stone beads) DETAILS: A large pendant shaped ancient amazonite bead found in Mali, West Africa and estimated to be 2,000 years or more in age. SYMBOLISM OF AMAZONITE: This gemstone crystal enhances the feelings of calmness and peace, it is a general all-purpose crystal that is useful for balancing the emotions, while soothing the nervous system and strengthening the physical body. It is useful for inspiring clarity of thought and self-expression, emotional expression, physical vigor and insight, while balancing the male and female energy. |     |
AMBER
DETAILS: Amber is a prehistoric tree resin that has been pressed and cured in the earth's crust and under the sea over millions of years. In the jewelry and bead world the word "amber" covers a multitude of beauties. Not all amber is amber, there's copal, reconstituted, reins of every sort including plastic, and mixes of all of the above. Mediterranean countries started to trade in Amber for jewelry making as far back as 2500 BC. Amber from this period has been found 600 miles from it's place of origin. Amber was very popular and highly valued in this time period, because it is softer than minerals and was easier to work with primitive methods. SYMBOLISM OF AMBER: Amber represents the division between an individual's soul and the universal soul of all living things. It is the symbol of divinity. Ancient painters used the color amber to denote the divine. The faces of gods and goddesses, heroes and saints were all painted in amber. |  |
AMBER (RAW)
DETAILS: Amber is the fossilized resin of ancient trees and is a most powerful type of gemstone crystal. The colors range in the warm glowing honey colors from a golden yellow on into browns. It is a true gemstone of the ages, the crystal that nature has created for us. It holds the ancients' memories and a deep connection to the spirits of animals and plants. Within this petrified tree sap are the echoes and vibrations of the patterns of life older than we can really grasp existing. |    |
COPAL AMBER, AFRICAN
DETAILS: Beautiful antique African copal amber beads were used in the late 1800's, early 1900's. These beads are not as old as true amber beads, they are semi fossilized and are mainly found in Africa, namely Zanzibar Island, Morocco, Kenya, and Mali, however they still carry the mysteries and magical powers of true amber. The Africans believe Amber to have healing powers due to its warm colors and sun rays, bright and healthy.
DETAILS: Beautiful antique African copal amber beads were used in the late 1800's, early 1900's. These beads are not as old as true amber beads, they are semi fossilized and are mainly found in Africa, namely Zanzibar Island, Morocco, Kenya, and Mali, however they still carry the mysteries and magical powers of true amber. The Africans believe Amber to have healing powers due to its warm colors and sun rays, bright and healthy.
BUTTERSCOTCH COPAL AMBER (CUBE)
DETAILS: These copal amber beads were made in Africa (probably Mauritania) during the 1900's and are intended to simulate amber, since true amber is both extremely prized and very scarce. Although they are imitation, "African Amber" beads like these are beautiful and valuable in their own right. |    |
CHERRY COPAL AMBER
DETAILS: These copal amber beads were made in Africa (probably Mauritania) during the 1900's and are intended to simulate amber, since true amber is both extremely prized and very scarce. Although they are imitation, "African Amber" beads like these are beautiful and valuable in their own right.
DETAILS: These copal amber beads were made in Africa (probably Mauritania) during the 1900's and are intended to simulate amber, since true amber is both extremely prized and very scarce. Although they are imitation, "African Amber" beads like these are beautiful and valuable in their own right.
EAST AFRICAN COPAL AMBER (DARK & PALE CYNDRICAL) DETAILS: These copal amber beads are imitation (like Bakelite) amber made from plant resin and are about 75 years old. These were found in East Africa. |     |
GUINEA COPAL AMBER (BUFFALO HORN) DETAILS: One-of-a-kind "Guinea Amber" beads made from water buffalo horn and look similar to Amber. GUINEA COPAL AMBER DETAILS: Most African "amber" is not true European (Baltic) or South American fossilized pine tree resin Amber. Some were made from complicated mixtures of synthetic resin barrel beads, which were imported from Europe in the late 1800's onwards, to be fashioned into their many diverse designs by African craftsmen and are locally known as "amber", to be found all over Africa - made from a variety of materials. Guinea copal amber is very old, difficult to find, increasingly valuable and is a highly collectable item. |     |
MAURITANIAN AMBER DETAILS: Approximately 200-800 year old antique real amber beads sourced from Mauritania and originally from the Baltic region. Large holes, light weight, signs of wear. |    |
MAURITANIAN COPAL AMBER (LARGE)
DETAILS: These copal amber beads were made in Africa (probably Mauritania) during the 1900's and are intended to simulate amber, since true amber is both extremely prized and very scarce. Although they are imitation, "African Amber" beads like these are beautiful and valuable in their own right. |    |
MAURITANIAN COPAL AMBER
DETAILS: These copal amber beads are approximately 75-100 years old and are found in Mauritania and Nigeria. They are imitation (like Bakelite) amber made from plant resin.
DETAILS: These copal amber beads are approximately 75-100 years old and are found in Mauritania and Nigeria. They are imitation (like Bakelite) amber made from plant resin.
AMETHYST GEMSTONE DETAILS: Crystalline quartz in shades of purple, lilac or mauve is called amethyst, a stone traditionally worn to guard against drunkenness and to instill a sober mind. The word amethyst comes from the Greek meaning "without drunkenness" and amethyst is believed to protect one from poison. SYMBOLISM: Ancient Egyptians used the amethyst to guard against guilty and fearful feelings. It has been worn as protection from self-deception, as well as a protection against witchcraft. The amethyst has long been used to open the spiritual and psychic centers, making it one of the power stones. It is also a meditation aid when worn as a necklace. |    |
TWIGA GALLERY | FINE ART JEWELRY
3333 SACRAMENTO ST. SAN FRANCISCO CA 94118 (415) 292-8020 |
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