Susan Posted March 12, 2016 Share Posted March 12, 2016 (edited) Please help me to identify if my necklace is Amber . Thank you. Edited March 12, 2016 by Susan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Troodon Posted March 12, 2016 Share Posted March 12, 2016 A couple of tests you can perform but some of it is destructive HARDNESS Amber has a hardness on Mohs scale in the region of 2 - 3. Using appropriate scratch sticks it should be reasonably straightforward to test the sample under question. HOT NEEDLE Heat a needle point in a flame until glowing red and then push the point into the sample for testing. With copal the needle melts the material quicker than amber and emits a light fragrant odor. Amber when tested does not melt as quickly as the copal and emits sooty fumes. SOLUBILITY Copal will dissolve in acetone. This test can be done by dispensing the acetone from an eye dropper onto a clean surface of the test specimen. Place one drop on the surface of the test piece and allow to evaporate, then place a second drop on the same area. Copal will become tacky, amber will remain unaffected by contact with acetone. 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FossilDudeCO Posted March 12, 2016 Share Posted March 12, 2016 Hey Troodon, thanks for this! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snolly50 Posted March 12, 2016 Share Posted March 12, 2016 Troodon has provided an excellent guide. If you have any nail polish remover, the active ingredient may be acetone. Check the label. To the eye your necklace is lovely and I am convinced without additional evidence that it is genuine amber. Small irregular "nuggets" are not uncommon, so to my mind it is very likely your piece is comprised of "real" material. However, it never hurts (and is kind of fun) to use science to make a determination and to gain additional knowledge. Have fun. 1 Human beings, who are almost unique in having the ability to learn from the experience of others, also are remarkable for their apparent disinclination to do so. - Douglas Adams, Last Chance to See Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Susan Posted March 12, 2016 Author Share Posted March 12, 2016 (edited) How the clearity effects the quality? Thx for the information and replies. Edited March 12, 2016 by Susan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BobWill Posted March 12, 2016 Share Posted March 12, 2016 All of those test will work but there is one more. Mix 3 tbsp. of salt to one cup of water. Amber will float but resin will sink. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
amour 25 Posted March 12, 2016 Share Posted March 12, 2016 Copal is not that much money ,so would say real. Jeff Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Auspex Posted March 12, 2016 Share Posted March 12, 2016 How the clearity effects the quality? Thx for the information and replies. One of the charms of amber jewelry is its 'organic' look, with natural variations. I sell a good bit of Baltic amber jewelry at my shop, and your necklace looks good. "There has been an alarming increase in the number of things I know nothing about." - Ashleigh Ellwood Brilliant “Try to learn something about everything and everything about something.” - Thomas Henry Huxley >Paleontology is an evolving science. >May your wonders never cease! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fossilselachian Posted March 12, 2016 Share Posted March 12, 2016 Looks good to me. In years past I obtained a number of such necklaces while in areas of northern Poland particularly along the Baltic coast and other areas of the country as well. Such necklaces were very reasonable in price. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Susan Posted March 13, 2016 Author Share Posted March 13, 2016 Thank you very much for your replies. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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