Trade or Prehistoric ?

[Kevin in IN]

I found this bead in the late 70 s. Very few trade goods are found in this area. There was alot of Hopewell activity here. I've always suspected it may be amber. Thanks for your opinions.

 

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[bigjohnnyblue]

I couldn't help you with an ID as I've never found any beads... Some day! Nice find !!

 

[rock]

Not sure myself maybe somebody will know.

 

[old digger]

Nice Find! Most likely Indian made.

 

[joshuaream]

It has that faceted look of a glass bead, which would make it historic or modern. There are also some agate beads which are faceted, also historic to modern in your area. Neat find, either way. A plastic or resin bead is also another option which would put it into the 1900's or later.

Amber is surprisingly light. Both amber and plastic and would be warm to the touch compared to glass/agate. Sounds strange, but if you touch it to your lips you should be able to tell if it's warm or cold. Another test is that amber will sink in fresh water and float in salt water, glass should sink in both, and plastic will either float or sink in both.

If you do the water test, make sure to rinse it off when done.

 

[monsterrack]

That looks like a glass faceted bead look at this one. If it is like this bead it could date from 1500 to 1700 and would be a Dutch made bead. They come in different colors.

 

[Kevin in IN]

It has that faceted look of a glass bead, which would make it historic or modern. There are also some agate beads which are faceted, also historic to modern in your area. Neat find, either way. A plastic or resin bead is also another option which would put it into the 1900's or later.

Amber is surprisingly light. Both amber and plastic and would be warm to the touch compared to glass/agate. Sounds strange, but if you touch it to your lips you should be able to tell if it's warm or cold. Another test is that amber will sink in fresh water and float in salt water, glass should sink in both, and plastic will either float or sink in both.

If you do the water test, make sure to rinse it off when done.

Thank you for the input. I will try these tests a see what happens.

 

[Kevin in IN]

Thanks MR, That's as close as I've seen.

 

[Mark Todd]

Kevin in IN, below are pictures of a trade bead very similar to yours excavated near Fort de Chartres, IL . Located on the Mississippi River between St Louis and Cairo. It is on display at Dickson Mounds State Museum in central IL. It appeared to be between 7/16 & 9/16"s in diameter. I had to take the pictures through a security glass casing so not the best. Unfortunately the material was not specifically addressed, but possibly "glass",read heading in the picture.