How Do You Know If Amber is Real? A Guide to Identifying Authentic Amber
Amber, fossilized tree resin, is a captivating gemstone prized for its beauty and warmth. However, the market is flooded with imitations, making it crucial to know how to identify genuine amber. This guide will help you distinguish real amber from its counterfeits, equipping you with the knowledge to make informed purchases.
Understanding the Properties of Real Amber
Before diving into the tests, it's essential to grasp the unique characteristics of real amber. It's formed over millions of years, resulting in a complex structure with specific physical and chemical properties that imitations often fail to replicate perfectly. These properties include:
- Warmth: Genuine amber feels warm to the touch, a sensation often described as a subtle, pleasant heat. This is due to its relatively low thermal conductivity.
- Weight: Real amber is relatively lightweight for its size. It should feel lighter than glass or plastic of a similar volume.
- Fragrance: When heated gently (not burned!), genuine amber releases a distinctive, slightly piney aroma. Avoid burning it, as this damages the amber.
- Inclusions: Many pieces of real amber contain inclusions—preserved insects, plant matter, or air bubbles. While not all amber pieces have them, their presence is a strong indicator of authenticity.
- Texture: Real amber often has a slightly uneven, slightly irregular surface texture, unlike the perfectly smooth surface of many imitations.
How to Test if Amber is Real: Simple Methods
Here are several simple tests you can perform at home to help determine whether a piece of amber is genuine:
1. The Saltwater Test:
This is a widely used and relatively reliable test.
- Mix a solution: Prepare a saturated saltwater solution by dissolving as much salt as possible in a glass of water.
- Submerge the amber: Gently place the amber piece in the saltwater solution.
- Observe: Real amber will float, while most imitations (such as plastic or glass) will sink. This is because amber's density is lower than that of saltwater.
2. The Heat Test (Proceed with Caution):
This test requires extreme caution and should only be done on a small, inconspicuous area. Never hold the amber directly over a flame.
- Gentle Heating: Use a hot needle or pin and gently touch the amber's surface. Real amber will release a slight, piney smell. Imitations will either smell of plastic or not produce a noticeable odor.
- Observe the reaction: Be aware that excessive heat can damage the amber. This test should be performed minimally.
3. The UV Light Test:
Some (but not all) types of amber fluoresce under UV light.
- Use a UV lamp: Expose the amber to a UV lamp (either long-wave or short-wave).
- Observe the reaction: Authentic amber may exhibit fluorescence, ranging from a pale blue to a greenish hue. However, some amber doesn't fluoresce, and some imitations do, so this test isn't conclusive on its own.
4. Examining Inclusions (If Present):
If your piece of amber contains inclusions, carefully examine them. In genuine amber, inclusions are typically three-dimensional and well-preserved. They often appear trapped within the resin, not simply printed or painted on the surface.
Is there a definitive test to prove amber is real?
While the methods above offer good indicators, there isn't a single definitive test to guarantee authenticity. Professional gemological testing, using sophisticated equipment like refractometers and spectrometers, provides the most reliable results. If you're investing in a valuable piece of amber, consider professional testing to confirm its authenticity.
What materials are often used to fake amber?
Common imitations include copal (a younger, softer resin), plastic, glass, and pressed amber (fragments of real amber compressed together).
How can I tell the difference between amber and copal?
Copal, while also a natural resin, is much younger than amber and therefore softer. A sharp object can often leave a noticeable mark on copal, whereas amber is more resistant. Copal often reacts differently under UV light and usually doesn’t float in the saltwater test.
By combining the knowledge presented here and carefully applying the suggested tests, you will be better equipped to discern between authentic amber and its numerous imitations. Remember, professional gemological testing is always recommended for high-value pieces.
