Amber is a gem formed over 50 million years ago. Therefore, its cost is quite high. Real stone has a warm honey tint. But modern technology allows us to make its likeness. How to distinguish amber from a fake? The most popular methods are presented in the article.
To date, there are a lot of natural amber deposits. But unscrupulous manufacturers still fake it with different methods. Imitation of amber is carried out using the following materials.
Resin
Resin of different tree species is often issued for natural stone. This imitation is softer than a natural gem. Fresh resin has a light aroma of needles. Amber can exude such a smell, but after setting fire or rubbing it heavily.
If we consider a fake of resin in the sun, then it will have a uniform structure. And any stone that has been growing for centuries has layered inclusions.
Digging
This is a resin of coniferous trees, which is not 100 thousand years old. Compared to it, amber is ancient - it is several million years old. But a quality fake is almost no different from a real product. Even experts do not visually distinguish fake. For this, melting is used.
Kauri
This name refers to the species of wood from which the resin is extracted to counterfeit the gem. Qualitatively processed resin is outwardly similar to natural stone, but it does not have the necessary hardness. Kauri is not suitable for creating jewelry. It is used in the manufacture of furniture.
Plastics
An artificial stone made of plastic is more attractive in appearance, besides it looks similar to the original. The imitation has a uniform color and a homogeneous structure, which natural amber does not have. Revealing plastic is easy. You need to take a stone in your hand. The fake has almost no weight.
Glass
Often this material is used to simulate amber. Samples have a noticeable similarity. Amber from glass is distinguishable in terms of hardness. The gem is easy to scratch, and to leave a mark on a fake, it takes effort.
Pressed amber
This is the same amber, but of poor quality. For manufacturing, waste and small particles of no value are used. The properties of pressed stone are different. It has small bubbles that highlight uneven color and a low level of transparency.
Burnite
Material includes polyester resins. In appearance, it is indistinguishable from natural stone. For maximum effect in the simulation of artificial defects are performed. Bernite fakes are often used as a standalone decoration.
Types of stone
There are several types of amber:
- Succinite. It is also called Baltic amber. This is the most common type of mineral. It makes up 98% of the goods on the market. Other resins are amber-like, but they are no less original.
- Glessit. This is an opaque type of amber that has a brown hue.
- Bockerite. Such a mineral is opaque and elastic, it has a dark color.
- Gedanite. This is a waxy yellow amber.
- Stantienite. Amber has a black color, it is a fragile type of mineral.
The stone is distinguishable in shape, color, transparency. Dimensions can be small from 1 mm to specimens weighing several kilograms, but usually they are 0.2-0.3 kg. The more turbid amber, the lower its price. It is necessary to purchase mineral products in specialized stores. So it will be more likely that you have acquired a real stone. In addition, it offers a variety of types of jewelry.
How to distinguish amber from a fake? The simplest methods are visual. They are just used in the store when buying goods. The most popular are described below.
Field
The leader in stone mining is the Baltic coast. It produces high-quality and excellent minerals, usually in large quantities. Amber is exported by Latvia, Lithuania, Russia, Poland. There are deposits in Burma, France, Germany, Holland, and the Czech Republic.
The largest pieces of 5-15 kg were found off the coast of the Baltic Sea. In the village of Yantarny, up to 80% of the world's mineral wealth is located. Second place is on the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico. Amber is found in Russia in Siberia and Kamchatka. All types of quarried stone are valuable.
Appearance
When viewed in the light, inclusions, smudges inside and a heterogeneous structure will be noticeable. The bubbles inside the stone should have a spherical shape. This means that the mineral has such a high density that air freezes in it. There may be insects in amber, but they are found in both versions. Such types of stone are especially in demand.
In doubt should be the presence of:
- even and geometrically correct pattern;
- clots of paint and sparkles inside;
- bright and saturated color.
The natural mineral has a muted color that has a wealth of shades. This distinguishes him from a fake. Therefore, it is important to carefully look at the goods even when buying, whether it is amber earrings or bracelets.
Cost
Amber will not have a low cost. This is especially true for products based on large and rare type of stone of regular shape. A long time of formation has affected the power and magical properties, therefore, the gem is currently highly regarded.
Inclusions
Previously, insects in amber, as well as fragments of plants and animals, helped verify authenticity. But now this feature is easily faked. Inclusions significantly increase the price of the sample, so you need to carefully consider it. Insects should have a natural look, as if trying to get out. In imitation, on the contrary, they are placed dead, as evidenced by their location.
Home methods
In the store, the seller will not allow scratching or melting the goods. Verifying the authenticity of the mineral at home will be much easier. The simplest method involves the use of a knife or blade. In an inconspicuous area, a scratch is carried out.
Natural stone is painted into small fragments, and from the plastic there will be only shavings. There are other methods for distinguishing amber from fakes, which are easily used at home.
Salt water to determine the real stone
How to check amber authenticity with salt water? A natural mineral can sink in ordinary water, but if it is salted, then some stones will float. This is due to the density of real amber - 1.05-1.3 g cm 3 . Saline has a density of up to 1.1972 g cm 3 . By physical properties, dense samples will sink. Therefore, verification is performed in a different way. This test is suitable for stone without cutting and decorative ornaments.
Verification is performed as follows:
- It will take a glass of water.
- Salt should be added to it - 8-10 tsp.
- The solution should be stirred.
- A stone is lowered into it.
- Evaluation of the result is required.
- The mineral is recovered and washed in fresh water.
Fake amber is drowning. The test makes it possible to distinguish imitations of glass, bakelite, resins and birnite. The pressed version and digging pop up, like natural minerals.
Electrification
How to distinguish amber from fake in this way? A natural mineral is charged negatively if rubbed on wool or silk. After the procedure, the gem should be attached to pieces of paper. If amber is real, then they will stick to it.
Some types of plastic can be charged in this way, but not as much as a natural mineral does. The method allows you to install fake stones without the properties of electrification. This is another method that allows you to identify imitations from the digging.
Smell during melting
When a stone rubs against textiles or a palm, its temperature rises. From it comes a slight aroma of turpentine or pine. Synthetic fakes emit an unpleasant smell of chemistry.
If the amber end of the needle acts on amber, white smoke and rosin aroma will appear. Depending on the type of natural mineral, the smell may vary. Imitation can exude a chemical aroma.
Chemical reagents
The natural mineral tolerates the short-term effects of a solvent or alcohol. The plastic fake is starting to collapse. Reagents spoil products made of digging. The pressed amber surface after being wiped with ether will be sticky. Over 3 seconds it is undesirable to act with reagents on natural stone. Due to long contact, spots form on the surface.
Ultraviolet
How to check amber with ultraviolet? Natural stone responds to this lamp. It will exhibit a different level of luminescence depending on the shade of amber:
- A bluish glow appears on the transparent.
- And on a smoky one - a hood blue.
The lower the transparency, the less pronounced the glow effect. Ultraviolet allows you to detect a water-like structure and banded transitions.
Where is the stone used?
Amber is actively used in jewelry. Not only jewelry is made from it, but also purses, watches, cigarette cases, chess, caskets and other products. Rings, bracelets and earrings with amber are great for festive occasions. Just select the appropriate accessory.
Amber in silver and gold is in demand. It can be various ornaments that differ in design, style, size. Amber rings and bracelets can be sold separately or as a set.
Jewelry waste is used in the chemical industry. Small particles serve to create succinic acid, which is used in various areas of human life. For example, amber is used to make transparent varnish for furniture.
Amber is an excellent bond for sandpaper. Wood is varnished so that it is protected from moisture and other external influences. This was especially used during the construction of ships. To date, musical instruments are treated with varnish to extend the service life.
Amber is also used in the medical field. It protects against the development of bacteria and prevents blood clotting. Therefore, on its basis, capacities are made for operating rooms. In ancient times, it was used to mummify bodies. But the main area of use is still jewelry. Today, beautiful amber bracelets, rings and earrings are made.
The choice
To choose high-quality jewelry, whether it be amber rings, earrings or bracelets, some subtleties should be taken into account. The most expensive is a rich reddish mineral. It can also have a green or blue tint.
It is important that there are no inclusions inside, except for stuck insects. In this case, the stone should be transparent, and the insect is clearly visible in the center of the mineral. The best is natural amber with a good cut and large size.
Bracelets, rings, amber earrings must be chosen taking into account the purity of the mineral. This indicator is set subjectively. Different experts identify different types and levels of purity. They usually focus on the following information:
- In the Middle East, an opaque mineral is one of valuable and expensive. But in the West they don’t think so.
- There may be natural inclusions in the stone, but they do not make the stone more valuable. It is advisable to choose a saturated color, it is possible interspersed.
- Pure stone is quality. When amber is transparent, you need to check that it is real.
- There may be a valuable inclusion in the stone when 2 large insects are present. If they are well visible, the price of the mineral can be many times higher.
Amber in silver and gold can be both natural and fake. In addition to these metals, others are also used to create jewelry. An important point in determining the value of a mineral is color. A light yellow or slightly yellowish stone has a minimal value. Reddish-golden color, blue, green shades are more expensive.
Amber is an ancient mineral. From ancient times it was believed that it was frozen honey or petrified mountain oil. The gem has incredible power accumulated over many years. You should know how to distinguish amber in order to acquire a real stone.