Victorian Gutta Percha Watch Chain/Necklace Conversion
I’ve written about this find before, but I’ve never really been able to visually convey the awesomeness of this Victorian Gutta Percha watch chain necklace. So I set about trying to take some decent pix. Even though it’s over 100 years old, I think the graduated link design looks pretty modern.
I have a chain quite similar – Victorian – belonged to my great gramma. I always thought it was jet. However I also have some jet from the same GGM that is so heavy, while this chain is not. Could you explain to me what gutta percha is?
Funny, sorting thru jools yesterday and I came across this piece.Then you post almost the same item.
I believe it’s kismet! Gutta percha is a hardened natural rubber, derived from the resin of trees. Gutta percha and it’s synthetic version, vulcanite, are brownish-black. Jet is generally black. And Jet is carved, gutta percha is usually molded. When you rub gutta percha, you can detect an acrid, rubber smell.
My piece is graduated. too My links are different. Each link has 2 holes, The adjoining link’s are turned 180 degress etc. Links look like this : – l – l – l – Hope that makes sense. Was it carved in one piece? there are no slits or openings in my links. Can’t understand how it could be molded .
It still could be carved … and it still could be jet. Jet is not a heavy material (it’s basically coal). It could also be bog oak. Here’s a link to an article that discusses similarites and differences in the materials: http://blog.rubylane.com/node/244
I too have an almost identical chain, light, and leaves a brown steak on unglazed porcelain, jet or Gutta Percha? Do GP streak as well? Definitely carved, not moulded. There is an iron hook and three rings attached to some of the links.
I just found your comment today. Jet leaves a streak but I don’t think Gutta Percha does.