[Jewelry making - Article 00463] - Re: [Orchid] Copal vs. Amber

[Terri May]

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    Copal amber and Baltic amber are considered two different things
    because they come from different plant sources (from different areas
    of the world) and they have different degrees of polymerization. 

    Andrew suggested that "Copal is at most some hundreds of years old,
    as opposed to amber which is millions of years old."  This is not
    really true.  Copal often is some 500,000 to 1,500,000 years old or
    more. 

    Both Copal and Baltic can exhibit a certain "gummy-ness" when
    carved.  You have to be careful how much heat from friction that you
    create if you choose to try power tools; it is possible to discolor
    and/or burn the amber with too much heat.  Hand tools work well. 

    As a low cost material, Copal amber is a pretty altenative to the
    much more expensive Baltic amber.  (Always remember to disclose that
    it is Copal amber to whomever purchases your pieces; that keeps
    everyone happy.) 

--Terri

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