Henry
spending too much on rocks
Member since January 2013
Posts: 452
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Post by Henry on Sept 26, 2019 16:38:03 GMT -5
Hello all. I recently went to Tallinn, Estonia on a holiday. Whilst there, I found 7 shops that dealt in Baltic Amber (that were owned by the same people). Since I don't know anything about the product, I decided to take a risk, (albeit a small one) and buy a pendant. Now, i've been reading a multitude of articles about fake amber, so if possible, I would like some insight or ideas on what this actually is. I looked all over the net and did some very minor tests 1)Floats (with the exception of the metal part areas) in salt water. 2)Has static cling. 3)Tested the back area with 91% alcohol, and it didn't get sticky or "melt" Sorry, don't have acetone. 4)FAILED the U.V. test, as it didn't glow. So is this stuff "pressed" amber? Or what might it be? Now, since one would need to do a multitude of tests to ascertain what this might be, I completely understand that any answer here is subjective. I would just like some...well as said before...insight. Thanks ahead of time. Henry
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NRG
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since February 2018
Posts: 1,630
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Post by NRG on Sept 26, 2019 17:26:51 GMT -5
Did ya do the hot needle test?
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Post by Pat on Sept 26, 2019 17:29:21 GMT -5
...nevertheless, it is pretty!
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Henry
spending too much on rocks
Member since January 2013
Posts: 452
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Post by Henry on Sept 26, 2019 17:52:01 GMT -5
Did ya do the hot needle test? Nope, not yet.
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NRG
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since February 2018
Posts: 1,630
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Post by NRG on Sept 26, 2019 18:51:33 GMT -5
Did ya do the hot needle test? Nope, not yet. That's the best one left
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Henry
spending too much on rocks
Member since January 2013
Posts: 452
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Post by Henry on Sept 27, 2019 11:24:38 GMT -5
All righty, quick update. As previously mentioned, I performed the actone test as well as the "hot needle test" per NRG. They both past. After the hardware grade application of acetone, the piece remained unscathed. And I performed the hot needle test on the back (where there previous imperfections in the first place)With the near-red hot needle, there NO penetration. (it wouldn't budge, even being forceful) So, my only question is after all of those tests, why it failed the U.V. test. Is it because, it may be heat treated or even "pressed amber"? Which the latter, i'm only guessing it's not.
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NRG
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since February 2018
Posts: 1,630
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Post by NRG on Oct 9, 2019 16:30:39 GMT -5
What does it mean "failed" the UV test? What did you expect? What did you get? And what UV spectrum did you use?
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Post by rmf on Oct 22, 2019 4:13:59 GMT -5
I do not believe that acetone affects Amber but it does copal and plastic.
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