The chemical difference from amber is simple. It will cloud the surface or cause it to become sticky, making it easy to distinguish. It’s also less expensive for the most part.Ĭopal is soluble in alcohol, so wipe a bit of the piece with denatured alcohol or high percentage isopropyl. Copal is comparatively common and is often sold as “young amber.” That’s precisely what it is, copal is only a few thousand years old, as opposed to the millions of years for amber. Fake amber also lacks any inclusions other than the insects, real amber often has bits of plant matter or air bubbles contained within it in addition to the bug. It doesn’t cost much more to manufacture a fake with insects in it, but the price difference is immense. The best thing you can do to be wary of fake amber is to identify the inclusions. They’re relatively common, especially online. If you see something with a large scorpion, lizard, or tarantula in it that doesn’t cost as much as a car… well, it’s probably just a resin piece. How Do I Know if Amber is Fake?Ī lot of them are easily identifiable. Amber comes in a wide variety of clarity levels and colors, in addition to the possibility of exciting inclusions. Most specimens should be evaluated on their own merits. There are deposits around the world, but the bulk of amber found on the market comes from the Dominican Republic and the Baltic deposits. Should be avoided currently, as it’s primarily under black market control. Rovno Amber- An amber from the Ukraine area, often dark in color.Specimens that are just barely tinted yellow or orange are common, and insect inclusions are very common. Dominican Amber- Dominican amber tends to be lighter in color than the Baltic stuff, and it usually occurs with high clarity.They change color depending on the light and are highly sought after. These specimens are a deep blue color with fluorescence. Blue Amber-A striking amber found only in the Dominican Republic.Baltic amber is sometimes of high clarity and small specimens with insects are very affordable. It occurs along the baltic sea in large quantities and it’s a deep orange to yellow in color. Baltic Amber- This is the stone most people think of as amber.For those willing to spend a few thousand dollars, some specimens even have trapped vertebrates like lizards. The most common are plant bits, but insects can be found readily. Amber is famous for containing bits of plants and insects that give us a real glimpse into the primordial world. Some ambers are also much deeper in color.įor most people, the attraction isn’t to the mineral itself but instead the various inclusions. Real amber actually feels like plastic, and in many ways, it is natural plastic.Īmber is usually a warm orange color, but a blue variety also exists. If you’ve never handled it before you’re in for a surprise, especially if you’ve been rockhounding. Essentially, immense heat and pressure drive the aromatic components and moisture out of the resin, which eventually forms a macromoleuclar structure.Īmber is a strange material. What is Amber?Īmber is a petrified form of tree resin. It might just be the start of an amazing new journey. Let’s dive into the what, how, and where of amber. Each specimen is a bit of history and collectors have a lot to learn. In this case, amber is fossilized tree sap that often brings with it glimpses into a world far away from ours. Amber is an amazing example of the sheer variety of gems produced by the Earth.
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