Old trade copal beads neckace 05.05.351
A substance known as copal is an immature resin and is sometimes passed off as amber. It is said to be immature because not all the volatile terpenes have left the resin via geological processes over millions of years. Therefore it is younger in age than true amber.
Copal Amber is mostly 'Amber' that originated in West Germany in the 20s for the African Trade made of
Phenolic resin. Many in the industry consider this Amber as it has been sold that way for almost 100 years.
The larger the bead the higher regard was given, and of course, the more it was worth.
