Baltic amber’s popularity often leads to questions about its authenticity, given the many imitations on the market. This article clarifies the nature of amber, specifically Baltic amber, and provides practical ways to determine if it’s genuine.
The Nature of Amber
Amber is not a stone or a mineral but fossilized tree resin. It originates from ancient trees that produced this sticky substance as a protective mechanism. This resin, distinct from watery tree sap, would ooze from the bark, sometimes trapping small organisms or debris.
For this resin to become amber, it undergoes a complex natural process over millions of years. After being exuded, the resin hardens as its volatile components evaporate and oxidize upon exposure to air. This hardened resin then needs to be buried quickly under sediment, protecting it from decay. Over vast geological timescales, under immense pressure and heat from overlying layers, the resin undergoes polymerization, transforming it into a stable, inert solid.
Unpacking Baltic Amber
Baltic amber, also known as succinite, is a specific type of amber primarily found in the Baltic Sea region of Northern Europe. This includes areas around present-day Kaliningrad, Poland, and the Baltic states. It formed from the resin of ancient coniferous trees, often identified as belonging to the Sciadopityaceae family, a group that includes the modern Japanese Umbrella Pine (Sciadopitys verticillata). These forests thrived in a subtropical climate approximately 35 to 50 million years ago, during the Eocene epoch.
A distinguishing characteristic of Baltic amber is its notable succinic acid content, typically ranging from 3% to 8%. This high concentration is why it’s also termed “succinite.” Baltic amber exhibits a wide array of colors, from common golden yellows and oranges to rare greens, whites, and even blues. It often contains natural inclusions such as tiny air bubbles, small cracks, or preserved plant and insect matter, offering a glimpse into prehistoric ecosystems.
Authenticity and Identification
Despite being genuine fossilized tree resin, Baltic amber’s popularity has led to many imitations using materials like copal (younger resin), plastic, or glass. Distinguishing genuine Baltic amber from these fakes can be done through several simple tests.
One common method is the saltwater float test. Real amber is less dense than saltwater, so it will float in a solution made by dissolving approximately 7 to 10 teaspoons of salt in a glass of water, while most imitations will sink. Another useful test is the hot needle test, which should be performed carefully in an inconspicuous spot. When a heated needle touches genuine amber, it produces a faint, pleasant pine-like or resinous scent and the amber will flake or crumble slightly. Conversely, plastic will melt, emitting a chemical odor, and copal may produce a sweeter, more resinous smell but melt more readily.
The UV light test can also reveal authenticity. Genuine Baltic amber often fluoresces, displaying a bluish or greenish glow under ultraviolet light. Plastic imitations typically do not react, while copal might appear white. A static electricity test involves vigorously rubbing the amber with a soft cloth; authentic amber will generate static electricity and attract small pieces of paper or hair. Finally, visual inspection can offer clues: real amber feels lightweight and warm to the touch, unlike heavier, colder imitations such as glass. Genuine pieces also often display natural irregularities, such as variations in shape, size, and internal imperfections like small bubbles or fissures.