What type of beads are used in this necklace?

[Aiden Pearce]

In the antiques market in my country, I came across this necklace. The seller claims it is made from all the different colors of rhinoceros horn and is selling it for a high price.

What I noticed is that the black pieces, when struck against each other, produce a solid, dull sound, not a plastic-like one, and they also have something resembling very fine hair-like fibers on the surface.

I did a bit of research and found someone asking about a similar necklace, and one of the replies stated that it was made from cow horn, which is very common and widely available.

So my question : is this actually rhinoceros horn, or not?

 

[wesheltonj]

Any doubt, I would pass. Looking at the photos, I have doubt. However, I would have to see it in person to remove any doubt.

 

[Aiden Pearce]

Any doubt, I would pass. Looking at the photos, I have doubt. However, I would have to see it in person to remove any doubt.

I agree with you, I don't take the seller’s words at face value. I prefer to do my own research. The seller is offering the necklace at an astronomical price by local standards, which genuinely shocked me and motivated me to investigate it as a personal challenge. Therefore, I would like to hear your opinion on what material you believe this necklace is actually made of.

 

[Red Leg]

No one could tell you from a photo.

The only rhinoceros horn objects I have studied closely were 18th and 19th century Arab jambiya hilts and cups made from horn that were believed to have medicinal benefit. The shades run from muddy yellow to grayish brown. Below is a set of rhino horn Muslim prayer beads sold at Christies when still legal some time ago (you would think they would know it wasn't a neckless). In any case, note the color.

https://www.christies.com/en/lot/lot-4922090

If the seller is claiming all the beads are rhino horn, I would be inclined to say very, very unlikely. If referring to the clasp and darker beads, it is impossible to tell from a photo.

If I saw it on a table at a shop, I would assume it was a beaded East African neckless with antelope horn clasp.

 

[Ridge Runner]

When it comes to articles of jewelry, furniture, etc, etc, the only way to tell the authenticity of the item is to be touchy - feelly.

I definitely don't go by the salesperson's oral description. I want solid proof of what I am purchasing is what the salesperson is telling me.

Just way too many conartist and scamners out there.

The first question would be is this rhino horn necklace made from legally acquired rhino horn?

The second question is: Can I see the certified paperwork to prove this rhino horn necklace is made from legally acquired rhino horn?

Third question: Where/ From Whom was this rhino horn acquired from and how was it obtained?

If the seller is willing to prove the information and allows time to verify the information; its possible its a legitimate deal.

If the seller "ho hums", it's a bad deal. A con/scam.

 

[Aiden Pearce]

No one could tell you from a photo.

The only rhinoceros horn objects I have studied closely were 18th and 19th century Arab jambiya hilts and cups made from horn that were believed to have medicinal benefit. The shades run from muddy yellow to grayish brown. Below is a set of rhino horn Muslim prayer beads sold at Christies when still legal some time ago (you would think they would know it wasn't a neckless). In any case, note the color.

https://www.christies.com/en/lot/lot-4922090

If the seller is claiming all the beads are rhino horn, I would be inclined to say very, very unlikely. If referring to the clasp and darker beads, it is impossible to tell from a photo.

If I saw it on a table at a shop, I would assume it was a beaded East African neckless with antelope horn clasp.

Your comment is very helpful, man, and it contains a lot of valuable information, so thank you. Unfortunately, my phone does not have a macro lens, so I can’t take closer, more detailed photos, but I tried to describe the sound and the texture. It feels light and does not resemble plastic; the texture is strange, almost as if it is hollow inside (I’m referring to the beads themselves).

I also checked the link you shared, and the colors appear uniform, not multi-colored as this seller claims. So what do you think? I also found this listing on eBay: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/254774959153

The seller there describes it as cow horn, and it has the same colors as the necklace I found. Do you really think it could be cow horn?

 

[Hedge774]

I made one very similar when I was young out of Fruit Loops. Much better looking.

 

[Aiden Pearce]

When it comes to articles of jewelry, furniture, etc, etc, the only way to tell the authenticity of the item is to be touchy - feelly.

I definitely don't go by the salesperson's oral description. I want solid proof of what I am purchasing is what the salesperson is telling me.

Just way too many conartist and scamners out there.

The first question would be is this rhino horn necklace made from legally acquired rhino horn?

The second question is: Can I see the certified paperwork to prove this rhino horn necklace is made from legally acquired rhino horn?

Third question: Where/ From Whom was this rhino horn acquired from and how was it obtained?

If the seller is willing to prove the information and allows time to verify the information; its possible its a legitimate deal.

If the seller "ho hums", it's a bad deal. A con/scam.

Thank you very much for your reply, man. In reality, in my country, such items never come with proper documentation or certification. Sellers usually acquire them as part of mixed lots containing various objects, from wealthy households that own such pieces, or even from passersby who sell prayer beads or similar items. In this case, the seller bought it from someone else who had no paperwork at all. So the seller has no proof that it is rhinoceros horn other than his own belief. Given the price he quoted, I was genuinely shocked. I have no intention of buying it or even trying to purchase it; I am simply asking because it sparked my curiosity.

 

[wesheltonj]

I agree with you, I don't take the seller’s words at face value. I prefer to do my own research. The seller is offering the necklace at an astronomical price by local standards, which genuinely shocked me and motivated me to investigate it as a personal challenge. Therefore, I would like to hear your opinion on what material you believe this necklace is actually made of.

Without personally seeing it - Cattle.

 

[Aiden Pearce]

Without personally seeing it - Cattle.

Thank you for the clarification, man. I think the same as well. So what is it actually worth, and is it common?

 

[fourfive8]

Hard to say. Some on there may be but most definitely not the opaque ones that look like common bone. Raw Rhino horn is translucent and honey colored and difficult to tell from other similarly colored common horn from cattle, goat and the like.