einholt
noticing nice landscape pebbles
Member since May 2019
Posts: 95
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Post by einholt on Sept 20, 2019 14:00:12 GMT -5
Does anyone have a vendor they'd suggest to buy bulk rough from? The order I just received was actually copal. Kind of irritated at that, but hopefully I'll get a refund. Did the standard acetone test followed by the hot needle.
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Post by rockjunquie on Sept 20, 2019 22:47:53 GMT -5
It was advertised as opal and you got copal? Do you want to share the vendor so no one else get's burned?
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einholt
noticing nice landscape pebbles
Member since May 2019
Posts: 95
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Post by einholt on Sept 21, 2019 8:06:09 GMT -5
The Fundamental Rockhound. It was advertised as amber, no mention of copal anywhere in the description. I've ordered from them before, mostly specimens and been happy. Working on getting a refund.
Here's part of the description copied and pasted:
Natural amber rough size 4 - Sizes average 2" to 4" average. These are rough, natural pieces of dark amber. Occasionally you may find an insect and occasionally one will fluoresce under SW.
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Post by rockjunquie on Sept 21, 2019 8:56:02 GMT -5
The Fundamental Rockhound. It was advertised as amber, no mention of copal anywhere in the description. I've ordered from them before, mostly specimens and been happy. Working on getting a refund. Here's part of the description copied and pasted: Natural amber rough size 4 - Sizes average 2" to 4" average. These are rough, natural pieces of dark amber. Occasionally you may find an insect and occasionally one will fluoresce under SW. Thanks!
I see a guy on ebay selling a ton of copal, but he advertises as such.
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Post by TheRock on Sept 21, 2019 9:25:18 GMT -5
The Fundamental Rockhound. It was advertised as amber, no mention of copal anywhere in the description. I've ordered from them before, mostly specimens and been happy. Working on getting a refund. Here's part of the description copied and pasted: Natural amber rough size 4 - Sizes average 2" to 4" average. These are rough, natural pieces of dark amber. Occasionally you may find an insect and occasionally one will fluoresce under SW. I have ordered myself from him and never have been disappointed. Let us know how it turns out.  Are you ordering Baltic Amber? If so and you find a good source I would like to know also. Thanks. |
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einholt
noticing nice landscape pebbles
Member since May 2019
Posts: 95
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Post by einholt on Sept 21, 2019 9:34:19 GMT -5
Already cleared for the refund and sent a return label. It's supposed to be "Indonesian Black Amber".
For those that don't know the tests already, some copal is fluorescent under uv. Applying a drop of acetone will usually melt plastics and turn copal "sticky" (supposedly alcohol does the same thing, but doesn't dissolve plastics) while doing nothing to raw amber. A red hot needle will make copal bubble and hiss (or sink right through, like this one did). And you can usually scratch copal with a fingernail (about 1.5ish on the mohs scale).
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einholt
noticing nice landscape pebbles
Member since May 2019
Posts: 95
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Post by einholt on Sept 21, 2019 9:39:30 GMT -5
There used to be a shop in Rolla, Mo, called the Old World Trader that sold all sorts of interesting things, including amber, at amazingly low prices. They went out of business about 10 years ago, I wish I knew who his sellers were.
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einholt
noticing nice landscape pebbles
Member since May 2019
Posts: 95
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Post by einholt on Sept 24, 2019 16:24:05 GMT -5
So, my "refund" would have a 20% restocking fee, and I'd be out shipping and handling. And that's if the needle test doesn't violate the "unused and undamaged" part of the return agreement.
I guess I'll just eat the cost. I'll find something to do with the copal.
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Post by TheRock on Sept 24, 2019 18:17:37 GMT -5
So, my "refund" would have a 20% restocking fee, and I'd be out shipping and handling. And that's if the needle test doesn't violate the "unused and undamaged" part of the return agreement. I guess I'll just eat the cost. I'll find something to do with the copal. |
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Dr DG
fully equipped rock polisher
Gone Fishing
Member since April 2005
Posts: 1,848
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Post by Dr DG on Sept 25, 2019 13:59:59 GMT -5
copal cuts a beautiful cabochon. plus it had more bugs in it.
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Post by grumpybill on Sept 27, 2019 15:49:57 GMT -5
So, my "refund" would have a 20% restocking fee, and I'd be out shipping and handling. And that's if the needle test doesn't violate the "unused and undamaged" part of the return agreement. I guess I'll just eat the cost. I'll find something to do with the copal. I would be raising living hell about being charged a restocking fee for something that had been misrepresented. |
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einholt
noticing nice landscape pebbles
Member since May 2019
Posts: 95
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Post by einholt on Sept 27, 2019 17:49:45 GMT -5
I've left a poor review. I'm waiting to hear back from the seller, but I don't expect to hear anything more from them. I'll update you all if I hear anything.
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Post by broseph82 on Sept 29, 2019 0:01:56 GMT -5
Let me chime in: The type of quality Amber you want depends on locality from which the Amber was found/mined. Anything Sumatra/Indonesian Amber will be copal and remain tacky. If you can work it, it can make some beautiful cabs. I’ve not found the secret recipe. All Amber should fluoresce blue under black light (even the Indonesian stuff). Not a good indicator. The copal will also float in salt water just like Amber. Also not a good indicator. Knowing the locality from which it came is the best and then a trusted seller.
Dominican, Chiapas, Myanmar, Baltic are all Ambers that are solid, but not cheap. I’m guessing you prob paid less than $10/lb for your copal whereas some good amber will run around $500/kg+. I paid $1/g for the one piece of Chiapas Amber I had and it was well worth it. Would love to have a cheaper source, but for now will just keep looking.
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einholt
noticing nice landscape pebbles
Member since May 2019
Posts: 95
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Post by einholt on Sept 29, 2019 20:06:14 GMT -5
A bit over 30 a pound with shipping, I was hoping for a few inferior quality pieces to practice on.
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Are you ordering Baltic Amber? If so and you find a good source I would like to know also. Thanks. 
