Amber: Real or Fake

When shopping for amber you want to make sure that you are purchasing the real stuff! There are many fakes out there and sometimes it is hard to tell if it is real by just looking at it. Even to the trained eye, fake amber can be hard to distinguish. There are a few simple tests you can do on your amber to tell if it is in fact genuine baltic amber or if it is a fake.

WARNING: Some of these tests may be destructive to your jewelry. Test cautiously. 

Tests:

Solvents/Acetone: Fake amber, sometimes referred to as Copal and plastic will not hold up against solvents. You can take a small bit of acetone on a q-tip and rub it over the amber. If it is plastic or fake it will get tacky and you may even see the color of the bead run off onto the q-tip. True Baltic Amber will not be effected by it. 

Heat/Burning: Fake amber (plastic) will melt and smell of burnt plastic. If you have ever smelt burnt plastic it is a horribly nasty smell. Genuine amber will burn off like incense and have a pleasant smell of sweet pine. The smell of amber is very distinctive and you won't quickly forget it. 

Salt Water: Genuine Baltic Amber will float in salt water. Mix 1 part salt to 2 parts water and dissolve the salt completely. Then drop your amber into the mixture. Plastic and glass will sink while the amber will float to the top. (I do not recommend doing this to amber that is strung on a necklace) While you can, it may damage the string that the beads are on. If you decide to test an amber necklace this way, wipe the salt water residue off then lay it flat till it drys to prevent the string from stretching)

Static Test: Real amber will take on an electrostatic charge when rubbed in a cloth. (do this gently) You can charge the necklace and it will pick up tiny pieces of paper. Fake amber will not.

Taste Test: One of the easiest, non-destructive ways to tell real amber from plastic is to taste it. Sounds odd I know, but simply lick the amber. Amber will have no taste but the plastic will taste of...well...plastic. Plastic tastes gross. Have you ever chewed on the end of a pen cap? You know the taste. You can compare the end of a pen to your amber to tell the difference.  You will notice the pen has a distinct plastic taste while the amber will have no noticeable taste.

If in doubt ask! Always ask where the seller gets their amber and if they can prove authenticity.

Go like Amber Dreams Jewelry on Facebook to see the full video demonstration of the salt water test! 

Some of the Amber I personally use in my amber teething necklaces. The Amber floats to the top
while the plastic beads sink to the bottom.

Looking for a reputable place to purchase your amber and gemstone jewelry? Check out my shop at www.amberdreamsjewelry.com. 

All of the amber in my shop is purchased directly from certified amber distributors in Lithuania and Poland. Each batch that I purchase is tested to ensure only the best is used!