[Jewelry making - Article 01643] - Re: [Orchid] Amber colors....

[Marianne Hunter]

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    Yes, Amber does come in that wonderful range of colors. Been
    fortunate to help hubby, Bill, find and purchase some large rare
    specimens in all those colors. Regarding "fake" amber. The smell of
    burning pine pitch isn't enough. It will determine if you're dealing
    with a synthetic, but not rule out Copal. Copal is, basically,
    younger Amber...younger by millions of years. It is also pine resin,
    but is isn't as hard as Amber and it IS NOT VALUABLE. At a recent
    gem show, I saw a number of dealers selling copal as amber and it was
    infuriating! Copal is sold by the 50 gal. drum for use in making
    turpentine. How do you tell them apart? Their is a specific gravity
    test that I can't illuminate. But it feels different and it certainly
    works differently. It is., if I remember correctly, somewhat lighter
    weight than amber; all that I've seen is a light golden honey color,
    it isn't quite as slick as amber. If you polish a piece of amber and
    then a piece of copal, you'll get it. The copal will get sticky and
    melty with heat build up when polishing. I believe it is also more
    brittle. 

    Faking the inclusions in amber is common. Some scientists in Germany
    went so far as to remove the visually "dateable" genitalia from
    insects before placing them in reformed amber..to make more
    expensive, collectable pieces. This is a very sophisticated market
    fraud. If you're buying smaller, inexpensive pieces you probably
    don't need to be too concerned. This info comes mostly from the past
    head of UC Berkeley entomology dep= t and a world renowned authority
    on amber. Oh, and those pieces with the attractive round "spangle"
    inclusions...those are created by boiling amber in oil (water?) 

Marianne Hunter
http://www.hunter-studios.com
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