Amber, a fossilized tree resin, has been valued for its beauty since ancient times. It forms from resin of ancient trees, preserved over millions of years. This resin fossilizes, transforming into a hardened, durable substance.
Key Visual Characteristics
Amber often appears in warm hues, ranging from golden yellow and honey to shades of orange and brown. Its color is influenced by tiny gas bubbles; more bubbles result in a lighter, more opaque yellow.
The transparency of amber varies from clear to opaque. Clear pieces have few bubbles, while opaque varieties contain numerous microscopic gas bubbles that scatter light. It exhibits a resinous or waxy luster, with a smooth, glassy sheen.
When touched, amber feels warm due to poor thermal conductivity. It is also notably lightweight for its size. This warmth and lightness makes it comfortable for jewelry.
Common Variations and Unique Features
Beyond typical golden and orange shades, amber displays a range of less common colors. Red amber, often called cherry amber, gets its deep hues from natural oxidation, prolonged air exposure, or forest fires over millions of years. Rarer green amber gets its color from plant inclusions or mineral interactions.
Blue amber, found mainly in the Dominican Republic, is striking. It appears yellow or orange under artificial light, but glows vibrant blue in natural sunlight or UV light. This rare glow is caused by hydrocarbons, like perylene, that absorb UV light and re-emit it as visible blue light.
White amber, also called bone amber, is opaque due to a high concentration of microscopic air bubbles, giving it a milky look. Black amber is often a very dark shade of another color, darkened by high concentrations of organic matter or debris.
Inclusions are an aspect of amber’s appearance, providing glimpses into ancient ecosystems. These can include fossilized insects like flies, ants, and beetles, and arachnids like spiders. Plant matter, including leaves, seeds, pollen, or small hairs, can also be encased. These inclusions, along with gas bubbles, add to each piece’s character and value.
Identifying Authentic Amber
Several properties help distinguish genuine amber from imitations. Authentic amber feels warm, unlike cooler glass or plastic. It is also remarkably lightweight, with a density typically ranging from 1.00 to 1.10.
A reliable test involves placing amber in a saltwater solution. Genuine amber floats in highly saturated saltwater; most plastic or glass imitations, being denser, sink. To perform this, dissolve 7 to 10 teaspoons of salt in a glass of water until saturated.
Amber also has electrostatic properties. Rubbing amber vigorously against a cloth for about 20 seconds generates static electricity. This charge attracts small, lightweight objects like tiny paper pieces or hair strands.
Under ultraviolet (UV) light, some genuine amber fluoresces, emitting a blue, white, or yellowish-green glow. Blue amber is known for its strong blue fluorescence. Another indicator, requiring caution, is the scent test: pressing a hot needle into an inconspicuous spot on genuine amber emits a distinct pine-like aroma, unlike burning plastic imitations.