Amber question

[Peters]

Hio,
It's late answer: about FTIR: it's helps to solve part of questions: amber, copal or plastic: generally there is two mine places to look Baltic shoulder (1200-1250 cm-1), for copal you will find additional peak in place of shoulder, also C=0 position is important: 1730-1740 cm-1. Spectra for plastic have more complex and sharper peaks, also it could be true for copal. Treated or pressed: much more based on general appearance of sample! I have tried ATR, DRIFT and PAS methods for sampling.
If you have more questions, please ask!
Peters

[Conny Forsberg]

Another simple test to distinguish plastic from copal or amber (at least untreated) is to use the hot needle again. The fumes smells like pine sap if amber. It will not smell like that if plastic. Same if rubbed with very fine grinding paper. The dust smells strongly of pine sap when amber.

[Johndev]

I suggest, if you are verifying real amber from other faux products go to a good where the amber stone research or where it sale. -Removed by Admin-. . If you need any help so can contact this. they must be help you.

[larryhui2010]

This looked like old amber to me, Christen, if you still have them I am interested. Thanks

[Bear Williams- SGL]

Another possible source of information that might be helpful:

http://stonegrouplabs.com/wp/wp-content ... Amber1.pdf
[pdfview]http://stonegrouplabs.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/Copal-vs-Amber1.pdf[/pdfview]

[raygem]

Hi Cre
The beads on the right look like stuff I bought in Timbuctoo
and Mopti in Mali,also about 1975.It was genuine amber, so
I think you will be pleasantly surprised when you test it.

[raygem]

Good one,Upcyclist.Could have been a worse typo if intending
to type doing!!