How to determine the authenticity of amber

Fossilized millions of years ago resin gave people "a solar stone" – amber. He is very handsome and has healing properties, so the demand for products made of amber has always been high. One of the serious problems of the amber market, many counterfeits of glass, plastics, synthetic resins, and also imitations from ambroid, Copal and Kauri. To determine the authenticity of amber absolute accuracy is possible only in laboratory conditions. However, there are several simple ways available to everyone.

Instruction

1. External midnineteen inspect the product. To distinguish the amber is rich play of colors and unique pattern. Too uniform color, the presence of a large number of air bubbles and "lenses" suggests that before you imitation. Inside pressed amber (ambroid) are usually well differentiated structure of flow and elongated in one direction, the air bubbles. In natural amber, they must have the correct spherical form.
2. Electricityprices a piece of amber on wool or fur. It should alectrosaurus and begin to attract light objects: thread, pieces of paper etc. However, some types of plastics are also electrified, but the effect is less pronounced. If the electron is completely absent, offer you a clear forgery.
3. Will prototiposite sample in concentrated hydrochloric acid solution (8 – 10 teaspoons in a glass of water). From amber of very low density (average of 1.05 – 1.12 g/cm3). From plastics, synthetic resins, and especially glass it is much higher. Therefore, true amber will float to the surface, while fake amber will sink. However, if the product is enclosed in a metal frame, to use this method will be difficult.
4. Tapahtumasta to the surface of the stone lit a match. Natural amber will emit a characteristic smell of rosin, plastic fake – unpleasant chemical smell.
5. Groupcalendar is a very fragile material. Try to scratch the surface with a sharp knife. If this produces shavings, before you synthetic polymer. Real amber will crumble.
6. Luminescence whether the seller will be delighted with your attempts to burn or scratch the product. But if the cashier has an apparatus for checking the authenticity of banknotes, ask to enlighten stone with ultraviolet light. The amber will begin to luminesce to provide light predominantly blue shades. Most plastics in ultraviolet rays does not glow, digging becomes white.
7. Kopal, Kauri"Young" kopelove fossil resins and modern Kopal, derived from resin of pine-Kauri, much softer amber. Click on the product hard. If it is going to be a trail before you dig. Kopalova resin is not electrified by friction, when heated emit an unpleasant medicinal smell. Unlike natural amber, they dissolve into the ether. Drip the ether on the surface capolavoro sample: it becomes sticky, and then turbid.