| Vaseline beads began being made around 1915. They were called Vaseline beads because of their greenish yellow color, caused by uranium salts, which were used as a coloring agent. The original ones of this color fluoresce under ultraviolet light.
(Yellow) The were also made in different colors. For more information, see "Picard's RUSSIAN BLUES, FACETED AND FANCY BEADS FROM THE WEST AFRICAN TRADE." The strands of Amethyst color, Cobalt Blue and Blue are in near mint condition but much newer. |