Amber
This section explains a bit about amber and how it differs from copal, offers tips to help identify genuine amber and ways to distinguish it from faux amber,
Amber and Copal
Amber is fossilized tree resin, valued for its natural beauty and warm color since antiquity. Because it originates as a sticky sap, it often traps ancient insects and plant matter inside.
Baltic amber is generally between 34 and 48 million years old, dating back to the Eocene epoch. Much of the commercial and scientifically studied amber from the Baltic Sea region solidified about 44 million years ago from the resin of ancient coniferous trees.
Kauri gum (often called kauri copal) is the fossilized resin of the kauri tree (Agathis australis), native to New Zealand’s North Island. Ranging from clear to dark cognac, this subfossil resin is traditionally carved into jewelry and was heavily exported during the 19th century for use in high-quality oil varnishes.
It is typically between few thousand and hundreds of thousands of years old.
This can often be found on the beaches of new Zealand around the shore line at low tide
It is fairly brittle
Identifying genuine Amber
The Best At-Home Tests
-
Saltwater Test: Authentic amber has a low density and floats in highly concentrated saltwater (about 7 to 8 tablespoons of table salt dissolved in a cup of warm water). Glass and heavy plastics will sink.
-
Hot Needle Test: This will damage the item so not a good test Heat a metal needle until it is hot and gently press it into a hidden, inconspicuous spot on the stone or bead. Real amber will emit a fragrant, sweet, pine-like resin scent. Plastics will melt and give off a harsh chemical odor.
-
Static Test: Rub the amber vigorously with a soft cloth to build up static electricity. Real amber will attract tiny pieces of paper or strands of hair when placed near them.
Red Flags for Fakes
-
Flawless Inclusions: Real amber rarely contains perfectly centered, massive, flawless insects. Most genuine inclusions are small, imperfect, and irregular.
-
Uniformity: If all the beads in a necklace are exactly the same size, shape, and color, it is almost certainly a synthetic material like glass or Bakelite.
-
Temperature: Unlike glass or heavy resin, real amber is warm and pleasant to the touch.
-
Advanced Identification
-
UV Light Test: When exposed to a UV (blacklight, genuine amber will often fluoresce with a distinct blue, green, or yellow glow. Plastics and fake resins typically show a dull or completely flat color under UV light
Careing for amber
Amber is easily scratched by harder substances so it is always good to store separated from other jewellery,
Sunlight damages amber. Prolonged exposure to direct UV rays and heat can cause the stone to darken, fade in transparency, dry out, and become brittle or crack over time.
To protect your amber, always store it in a cool, dark place (like a velvet pouch or jewelry box) and avoid wearing it while sunbathing.
You can bring back the shine on your amber piece that has dulled with a wet soft fiber cloth and toothpaste.
This may take a few goes, when done rinse in cool freshwater and dry thoroughly before storing.
