[Jewelry making - Article 00264] - Re: [Orchid] Red Amber

[myredcar]

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    Hi Everyone, We buy amber from Russia and the Baltic regions.  There
    is a so called "Red Amber" to my understanding it comes from Dark
    Cherry Amber.  This type of amber normally looks woody, rustic, and
    muddy, but when it is shaped into slivers, spheres, paddles, or other
    thinner shapes, it allows light to past through it, thus becoming
    "Red Amber".  Left in its natural state, it would be difficult to
    know what the true dark cherry amber color is if it is purchased in
    its natural, rustic, semi-polished state. We have discovered this
    through hard work.  Amber comes in many colors but natural amber is
    not come in blue, teal, violet, or similar colors. A high quality
    light colored in a cab shape is mounted into a bezel setting.  This
    setting may have a dark plastic look on the reverse side. What has
    been done is the reverse (front side underneath the cab)  of the
    plasticized backing is painted that color, so when it is looked at,
    it looks like the amber is violet. History is a great teacher of the
    present.  Hind sight is 20/20 will foresight may not be 20/20. I
    don't know about any other person's research or opinion, but I don't
    think that the prehistoric sap from trees seeped out as violet, teal,
    ruby red with gold flecks, or other vivid colors used in jewelry
    today. It would be prudent to do some research to see if it is
    actually amber and not a resin amber look alike that is not being
    disclosed.  Our company found this out the hard way when we purchased
    an amber bracelet that weighed 70 grams, heavy for a bracelet.  We
    were going to use it in a highly specialized way and needed to know
    how hot, or what would this amber withstand heat wise. Stunningly,
    the reply was, it was resin with slivers of amber making appear and
    the seller did not know.  Now we have our stock filled with natural
    amber that we have tested. To test amber, we took 1/3 part salt
    (table salt is fine), mixed it into 2 equal parts water.  When we
    mixed this substance, we took the amber sold as real, natural amber
    and dropped it into the bowl.  It floated on the surface, relief,
    this meant is way real amber and not a resin look alike, mimicking
    amber. The bracelet was separated and a piece was placed into the
    bowl and it sank like a lead weight.  When we went back to the
    seller, an excuse was given, we learned a lesson, and have not
    purchased from them though they are pursuing us. We will be cutting
    and drilling amber pieces soon. When we discover what is proper and
    what ruins amber, we will post the results for all. May this
    discussion of amber continue so we can all learn. Take care everyone,
    and may 2003 bring all of you abundance in your lives. 

Barbara
HQCE
myredcar AT lava.net


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