Amber Fake or Real

jiffer · 06-27-2006

I would like to buy a nice peice of amber jewelry while I am in PDC but I am a little nervous about buying a peice of fake amber. I have read a couple of tests to try to tell if it is fake but those tests are unrealistic when you are trying to buy a peice from a store. Can anyone give me a few suggestions that would help make the buying process easier? I know a good peice of amber jewelry will cost me which I am willing to spend I just dont want to get ripped off.

Jacko · 06-27-2006

I know nothing about this....to me, I buy jewelry based upon its beauty, not its worth in dollars, probably because I never plan on having to trade it in or sell it. Googled "amber fake or real" and got this ...hope it helps..I always like the taste tests myself

Quick Tip: Telling real Amber from Plastic forgeries.... One of the simplest non-destructive tests that you can do yourself is to clean and taste the specimen. Carefully washing with soap and water, then with just water, should leave a clean specimen ready for this test. Lick the specimen slowly several times, allowing the subtle taste to linger. It should be extremely subtle - real amber has almost no taste at all, leaving at most a very slight, tingly sensation. We think this "taste" may actually be just a touch sensation, not a true response of the taste buds. Most plastic or other polymer forgeries, on the other hand, carry a distinctly nasty taste that screams, "Imitation!" Don't be fooled, remembering this simple taste test can save you considerable trouble in your adventures with amber.

Sourcerer · 06-27-2006

Found on eBay guides:

Genuine Amber vs Natural Amber

This classification can be confusing, especially if is use for selling strategy. Amber made out of small pieces of amber that have been melted together under high pressure is called "genuine amber". It is a legal way of cheating and it is hard to discern the illusion except for the price.Genuine or Pressed amber is generally very even and in shape, Natural amber is never as even, since Mother Nature does not industrialize colors or shapes.

But keep in consideration that there are skilled and gifted artisans that will shape a piece perfectly.

Testing

1.- One fairly good way to determine fake amber is the 'hot point test'. This is where the fine point of a very hot needle is put in the amber. Real amber has a piney smell (or burnt resinous smell) and fake amber can have an electrical, plastic or sweet smell to it. The problem that you will have with this test is that most folks are not willing to sacrifice their potential prize piece of amber to this test.

2.- Another test is the acetone test. Acetone is the odoriferous chemical that is used to remove nail polish. Copal (fossilized resin that has not finished the complete transformation to amber) is slightly soluble (hasn't hardened enough over the millions of years) in acetone, so the surface will get sticky. Regular amber is not soluble and therefore acetone should not do anything to it. With plastic fakes, acetone can dissolve the outer layer, which can sometimes be a shellac coating.

3.- Amber is fluorescent. That is, when ultraviolet light (UV) is directed on the amber, it will fluoresce. Common fluorescent colors are yellow, blue, green and orange. The intensity of the fluorescence can be different with different types of amber. Dominican Republic amber usually fluoresces blue. This is a simple test if you happen to have a black light. Just shine the black light on the sample and observe the 'shine'. This is the safest way to test your piece.

From our own experience in the Dominican Republic - we bought some amber jewelry and a piece of (hopefully) natural amber. We learned thatreal amber (genuine or natural) will float in water, whereas plastic faking as amber will sink. If you can test the stone before it is set, you could try the float test.

Good luck.

**denisea** · 06-27-2006

My long time favorite jewelry store in Playa is Ambar Mexicano which is located on Av 5 between Calle 4 y 6. They offer very unique, one-of-a-kind items and as their name indicates they specialize in amber... though they also have beautiful items set with other gemstones. Their prices are also very reasonable... and are even more reasonable if you use the Playa Deal Card. You can read find additional info about Ambar Mexicano in the "directory" tab located at the top of the page.

**james** · 06-27-2006

this is a no brainer. look around at the ambar shops on 5th and you'll understand what natural ambar looks like in a flash.

cuffedlinks · 06-27-2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by denisea

My long time favorite jewelry store in Playa is Ambar Mexicano which is located on Av 5 between Calle 4 y 6. They offer very unique, one-of-a-kind items and as their name indicates they specialize in amber... though they also have beautiful items set with other gemstones. Their prices are also very reasonable... and are even more reasonable if you use the Playa Deal Card. You can read find additional info about Ambar Mexicano in the "directory" tab located at the top of the page.

Ruthie has had great luck in PDC. Bought a piece right from the lobby at the La Tortuga, well actually the owner of the store DELIVERED to us a better piece for less than he was asking for the display piece in the hotel lobby. The PDC card is a great resource !!! (Although with the price he gave us when compared to prices we had seen around town and in his 2 PDC shops, we didn't ask for a PDC discount on top of the nice deal).....

Banzoomba · 06-27-2006

I thought there was some girl named Amber and we need to judge the reality of her assets .......oh well I was wrong again

cuffedlinks · 06-27-2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by Banzoomba

I thought there was some girl named Amber and we need to judge her.......oh well I was wrong again

Honestly, so did I.
I was ALL set to vote REAL.
(Unless the end result was done with smoke and mirrors....it's REAL...."tangible" let's say)

Sol · 06-27-2006

I have bought several pieces of jewelry at Ambar Mexicano. They carry beautiful items. Adjacent to their shop is another jewelry store that stocks jewelry with stones such as lapis and jade plus some pieces made of shells and coral. The work is high quality.

jiffer · 06-27-2006

Thanks for the great info guys. I will try the Amber Mexicano store. I trust your guys judgement and if you guys say it is a good honest store then that is the way to go. I just want to make sure what I buy is the real deal. Sorry about the misleading post topic. I never thought about it that way.

cuffedlinks · 06-27-2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by jiffer

Sorry about the misleading post topic. I never thought about it that way.

THAT is our job....

06-27-2006	#1 (permalink)
jiffer way into it Join Date: May 2004 Location: Baltimore, MD Posts: 113	Amber Fake or Real I would like to buy a nice peice of amber jewelry while I am in PDC but I am a little nervous about buying a peice of fake amber. I have read a couple of tests to try to tell if it is fake but those tests are unrealistic when you are trying to buy a peice from a store. Can anyone give me a few suggestions that would help make the buying process easier? I know a good peice of amber jewelry will cost me which I am willing to spend I just dont want to get ripped off.

06-27-2006	#5 (permalink)
james beach geek admin Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: 10 year Playa resident lost in Sweden Posts: 12,276	this is a no brainer. look around at the ambar shops on 5th and you'll understand what natural ambar looks like in a flash. __________________ Get your own signature countdown image!

06-27-2006	#2 (permalink)
Jacko añejo Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 30,889	I know nothing about this....to me, I buy jewelry based upon its beauty, not its worth in dollars, probably because I never plan on having to trade it in or sell it. Googled "amber fake or real" and got this ...hope it helps..I always like the taste tests myself Quick Tip: Telling real Amber from Plastic forgeries.... One of the simplest non-destructive tests that you can do yourself is to clean and taste the specimen. Carefully washing with soap and water, then with just water, should leave a clean specimen ready for this test. Lick the specimen slowly several times, allowing the subtle taste to linger. It should be extremely subtle - real amber has almost no taste at all, leaving at most a very slight, tingly sensation. We think this "taste" may actually be just a touch sensation, not a true response of the taste buds. Most plastic or other polymer forgeries, on the other hand, carry a distinctly nasty taste that screams, "Imitation!" Don't be fooled, remembering this simple taste test can save you considerable trouble in your adventures with amber.

06-27-2006	#3 (permalink)
Sourcerer beachaholic Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Exit 9, New Jersey Posts: 432	Found on eBay guides: Genuine Amber vs Natural Amber This classification can be confusing, especially if is use for selling strategy. Amber made out of small pieces of amber that have been melted together under high pressure is called "genuine amber". It is a legal way of cheating and it is hard to discern the illusion except for the price.Genuine or Pressed amber is generally very even and in shape, Natural amber is never as even, since Mother Nature does not industrialize colors or shapes. But keep in consideration that there are skilled and gifted artisans that will shape a piece perfectly. Testing 1.- One fairly good way to determine fake amber is the 'hot point test'. This is where the fine point of a very hot needle is put in the amber. Real amber has a piney smell (or burnt resinous smell) and fake amber can have an electrical, plastic or sweet smell to it. The problem that you will have with this test is that most folks are not willing to sacrifice their potential prize piece of amber to this test. 2.- Another test is the acetone test. Acetone is the odoriferous chemical that is used to remove nail polish. Copal (fossilized resin that has not finished the complete transformation to amber) is slightly soluble (hasn't hardened enough over the millions of years) in acetone, so the surface will get sticky. Regular amber is not soluble and therefore acetone should not do anything to it. With plastic fakes, acetone can dissolve the outer layer, which can sometimes be a shellac coating. 3.- Amber is fluorescent. That is, when ultraviolet light (UV) is directed on the amber, it will fluoresce. Common fluorescent colors are yellow, blue, green and orange. The intensity of the fluorescence can be different with different types of amber. Dominican Republic amber usually fluoresces blue. This is a simple test if you happen to have a black light. Just shine the black light on the sample and observe the 'shine'. This is the safest way to test your piece. From our own experience in the Dominican Republic - we bought some amber jewelry and a piece of (hopefully) natural amber. We learned thatreal amber (genuine or natural) will float in water, whereas plastic faking as amber will sink. If you can test the stone before it is set, you could try the float test. Good luck.

06-27-2006	#4 (permalink)
denisea Forum Goddess Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: On the road to ruins... Posts: 7,207	My long time favorite jewelry store in Playa is Ambar Mexicano which is located on Av 5 between Calle 4 y 6. They offer very unique, one-of-a-kind items and as their name indicates they specialize in amber... though they also have beautiful items set with other gemstones. Their prices are also very reasonable... and are even more reasonable if you use the Playa Deal Card. You can read find additional info about Ambar Mexicano in the "directory" tab located at the top of the page.

06-27-2006	#7 (permalink)
Banzoomba big sexy speedo guy Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Top of the Chesapeake Bay, Md Posts: 9,691	I thought there was some girl named Amber and we need to judge the reality of her assets .......oh well I was wrong again

06-27-2006	#9 (permalink)
Sol añejo Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: The Gem State Posts: 16,176	I have bought several pieces of jewelry at Ambar Mexicano. They carry beautiful items. Adjacent to their shop is another jewelry store that stocks jewelry with stones such as lapis and jade plus some pieces made of shells and coral. The work is high quality.

06-27-2006	#10 (permalink)
jiffer way into it Join Date: May 2004 Location: Baltimore, MD Posts: 113	Thanks for the great info guys. I will try the Amber Mexicano store. I trust your guys judgement and if you guys say it is a good honest store then that is the way to go. I just want to make sure what I buy is the real deal. Sorry about the misleading post topic. I never thought about it that way.

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