Q&A for How to Test Amber Gemstones

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If my amber floated in salt water and sunk in tap water, is my amber real?

Anastasia Niesheva

Community Answer

Yes. Natural amber in most cases floats in salty water and sinks in fresh water. This is how in some places, for example the Baltic Coast, you can find it washed up on the shore after stormy weather.

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How do I do the hot pin test for amber?

Anastasia Niesheva

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If you apply the hot tip of a needle to the amber surface, a white smoke with a characteristic resin odor will appear. It will smell similar to a pine tree.

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What are other ways to distinguish real amber from plastic? As far as I know, plastics also have electric static and will glow under UV light as well.

Anastasia Niesheva

Community Answer

Three tests can be helpful here: scratch test, saltwater test and heating/smell test. Scratch test: Take a needle and scratch the stone in an unobtrusive spot; plastic will leave elastic shavings, while amber will crumble with small pieces that can be ground into powder. Saltwater test: Dilute 8 - 10 teaspoons of salt per glass of water and put the amber in the solution; plastics (Bakelite, Polybrene, Bernat (Bernit), celluloid and imitations from epoxy resins) drown in salty water, while amber will float. Heating test: Apply the hot tip of a needle to the amber surface; amber will smell like sweet pine, whereas plastic will have a sharp chemical smell.

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Is amber worth anything?

Community Answer

Yes, it is. Darker types of amber can go up to $1500 dollars. Lighter amber gemstones go for around $500.

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