Maya Ellison
Amber is a mesmerising natural stone that has captivated people for centuries. However, its popularity has also led to the production of imitation amber, made from materials such as plastic, glass, and synthetic resins. Telling real amber beads from plastic imitations can be tricky, but there are several tests you can perform to distinguish between the two. From visual inspections to the saltwater test, the rubbing test, and the hot needle test, this article will guide you through the most effective methods for identifying genuine amber.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Visual inspection | Real amber beads tend to have a unique appearance with imperfections like tiny cracks or small air bubbles. Beads should vary slightly in size and shape. |
| Temperature | Amber tends to be slightly warm to the touch. |
| Float test | Amber floats in a saltwater solution, while plastic and glass sink. |
| Scratch test | Amber can be scratched with metal, while glass beads cannot be. |
| Rubbing test | Amber has electrostatic properties and can pick up tiny pieces of paper or dust when rubbed with a cloth. |
| Smell | Amber has a distinctive pine tree resin or pine sap smell. Plastic smells like burnt plastic when burned. |
| Hardness | Amber is relatively soft, while fakes are usually hard solids. |
| UV light | Amber appears blue or green under UV light. |
| Transparency | Amber becomes more transparent when heated due to the evaporation of microscopic bubbles. |
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What You'll Learn
The saltwater test: Amber floats, plastic sinks
The saltwater test is a simple and effective way to distinguish real amber beads from plastic fakes. Amber is a natural resin, and as such, it will float in a saltwater solution, whereas plastic will sink.
To perform the saltwater test, dissolve seven to ten teaspoons of salt in a glass of water. Genuine amber should float in this solution, while most substitutes, like plastic or glass, will sink. It is important to note that some plastics will float in saturated saltwater, so this test may not always be accurate.
Before performing the saltwater test, it is essential to inspect the beads visually. Real amber beads tend to have unique imperfections, such as tiny cracks or small air bubbles, and their shape should not always be round. Additionally, when you touch amber, it should feel slightly warm, which is usually not the case with fakes.
Other tests that can be used to distinguish amber from plastic include the rubbing test and the hot needle test. The rubbing test involves gently rubbing the amber against a soft cloth or wool. Genuine amber will develop static electricity and attract lightweight objects, while plastic will not. The hot needle test involves heating a needle and pushing it against the stone. If the needle goes in easily and the smell is plastic or fresh pine, it is likely a fake. However, if the needle only goes in slightly and there is a pungent tree resin smell, it is likely real amber.
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The hot needle test: Amber cracks, plastic melts
The hot needle test is a simple way to differentiate between amber and plastic. It involves heating a needle until it is red-hot and gently pressing it against the stone in question. If the stone is amber, the needle will crack it; if it is plastic, the needle will melt it. This test is particularly useful for identifying plastic particles, and it is often used to distinguish plastic from non-plastic materials.
When performing the hot needle test, it is important to choose a stone that is large enough to withstand the test without being destroyed. Small amber beads, for example, may melt completely under the heat of the needle. Additionally, the test may leave a small mark on the stone, so it is not ideal for expensive amber gemstones.
It is also worth noting that genuine amber has a unique appearance, tending to feature slight imperfections such as tiny cracks or small air bubbles, and varying slightly in size and shape. Amber also feels warm to the touch, while most fakes do not. Another way to test for amber is to perform a saltwater test, in which real amber will float, while most fakes will sink.
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The rubbing test: Amber creates static, plastic doesn't
One of the simplest ways to distinguish amber from plastic is to perform the rubbing test. This test is based on the fact that real amber has electrostatic properties, while plastic does not. To perform the test, start by rubbing the bead in question with a soft cloth or wool for 20 to 60 seconds. Genuine amber will develop static electricity and attract lightweight objects, such as small pieces of paper, dust, or hair, when it is charged sufficiently. On the other hand, plastic will not develop static electricity and will not attract these objects.
Another way to differentiate genuine amber from plastic using the rubbing test is to feel for warmth and stickiness. Amber tends to be slightly warm to the touch, while most fakes, including plastic, are cooler. Additionally, real amber should feel very slightly sticky, whereas plastic will not.
It is important to note that the rubbing test may not be suitable for testing jewelry that has metal or other components in it. It is best suited for loose beads.
The rubbing test can also be combined with a smell test to further enhance its accuracy. When rubbed, genuine amber will emit a distinct tree resin, pine, or turpentine scent, while plastic will smell like burnt plastic. However, this method may not be suitable for everyone, as it involves heating the amber by rubbing it vigorously, which may damage the gemstone.
In conclusion, the rubbing test is a simple and effective way to differentiate amber from plastic. By rubbing the bead with a cloth and observing whether it develops static electricity, you can easily determine its authenticity. Additionally, feeling for warmth and stickiness, as well as smelling for a pine-like scent, can further enhance the accuracy of this test.
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The smell test: Amber smells like pine, plastic like chemicals
One of the most effective ways to distinguish amber from plastic is the smell test. Amber has a distinct smell of pine tree resin, whereas plastic smells like chemicals or burnt plastic. When heated, amber emits a sweet pine scent, while plastic gives off a sharp chemical smell. This test is especially useful when differentiating amber from common plastic substitutes such as celluloid, phenolic resin, and polyester.
The smell test can be performed in several ways. One method is the hot needle test, where a hot needle is applied to the amber's surface. If it is genuine amber, a white smoke with a pine-like resin odour will appear. Another way to conduct the smell test is by rubbing amber with your hands or a cloth to generate heat and release the pine scent. Real amber also has an electrostatic charge, so when rubbed, it will attract hair, clothes, or dust.
It is important to note that the smell test may not be suitable for small amber beads as they can melt completely. Additionally, some plastic substitutes, such as Copal, also emit a pine-like scent when heated, making it challenging to distinguish from amber. Therefore, combining the smell test with other methods, such as the saltwater test or visual inspection, can help ensure accurate identification.
The saltwater test involves mixing salt and water, then placing the amber in the solution. Genuine amber will float, while most plastic substitutes will sink due to their denser weight. Visual inspection can also be helpful, as real amber beads tend to have unique appearances with imperfections like tiny cracks or small air bubbles.
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The scratch test: Amber is soft, plastic is hard
One way to differentiate amber beads from plastic imitations is through a scratch test. Genuine amber is relatively soft, whereas most fakes are either hard solids or have a plastic feel to them.
To perform the scratch test, use a needle or a knife to scratch the surface of the bead in an inconspicuous area. If it is genuine amber, the needle will only go in slightly and may leave some cracks. If it is plastic, the needle will go in very easily.
Another way to differentiate amber from plastic is to rub the bead with a soft cloth or wool. Genuine amber will develop static electricity and attract lightweight objects like hair, whereas plastic will not.
Additionally, real amber tends to be unique in appearance, with imperfections such as tiny cracks or small air bubbles. It is also usually lightweight and slightly warm to the touch, whereas plastic imitations may feel colder and denser.
It is important to note that the scratch test may leave marks or damage the gemstone, so it is recommended for less expensive amber.
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