Amber: look-alikes and how to tell
Short answer
Amber is commonly confused with copal (young resin), pressed amber, Bakelite and other plastics, glass.
Amber, copal or plastic: they look the same in a photo.
Look-alikes
- copal (young resin)
- pressed amber
- Bakelite and other plastics
- glass
What to look at
Sun spangles (bright discs) indicate heated amber; perfectly round bubbles and insects too large and centred, imitation.
What settles it
- Salt-saturated water: amber floats, and glass and most plastics sink. Some light plastics float too, and it does not tell amber from copal. Loose pieces only, no metal or thread; rinse and dry afterwards.
- Laboratory: infrared spectroscopy.
Frequently asked
What can amber be mistaken for?
copal (young resin); pressed amber; Bakelite and other plastics; glass.
How can I tell amber from its look-alikes?
Salt-saturated water: amber floats, and glass and most plastics sink. Some light plastics float too, and it does not tell amber from copal. Loose pieces only, no metal or thread; rinse and dry afterwards. Laboratory: infrared spectroscopy.