How to handle amber

Succinite or amber is most often found in the coastal zone of the Baltic sea. It is very supple to handle the gem. Usually found pieces of amber that covers the crust of a dirty color, which is separated from the main stone by machining.

Cleaned the amber thoroughly research on the subject of major cracks and other defects, and inclusions of grass, air bubbles and even insects, which, on the contrary, add value to the sample. Make the layout of the stone so that the cuts occurred in the vicious area, not touching the most beautiful region, with minimal losses to the inevitable waste.

To saw the amber should be a jigsaw with a blade for metal, you can use an electric motor with a diamond wheel, but not necessarily at high speeds and with constant water cooling, otherwise the gem will melt and burn. He sawed quite easily and quickly, and because the material is very fragile, it is not necessary to succinite clamping in a vise, better to do it by holding it in your hand or in a manual, wooden tisochki, with leather overlays. To clamp a small piece, you can use wooden clothes pegs.

Once you have cut all the excess from the workpiece, bring its shape and dimensions to the desired values, close file. Risks from it are easy to remove with small needle files, after this treatment, sand stone, emery cloth, from the largest to the smallest. Polishing the amber manually it is best, on felt, lubricated with oil and tooth powder, paste GOI.

For beautification, amber used the following method: rapeseed oil or other vegetable oil, with vegetable dyes, gradually bring to low simmer. Then they pour the processed amber, folded in several layers of cheesecloth in a metal pot, and over low heat boil until the stone is very small. The location and number of their appearance is not controllable, so you must constantly observe the process in time to stop him, guided by his artistic taste.

Another, more simple and available at home, the method comprises annealing of workpieces. On the bottom of the dish sprinkle a layer of 2 cm of river sand on top put a sheet of asbestos. On this pillow lay amber pieces so that they do not touch each other, the top cover fire-resistant glass to maintain the temperature and monitor the process of calcination.

Heating cookware on a gas stove, start with a weak flame, gradually adding it. Through the glass, observe the appearance of microcracks-sequin. At the right time just turn off the gas and leave it there until complete self-cooling, or when you rapidly cool amber much crack.