Baltic amber is generally more expensive than Dominican amber. Pieces containing insect or plant inclusions fetch higher prices than clean pieces without such inclusions. For example, amber cabochons with no insect inclusions cost only a few dollars per piece, while pieces with easily seen or complete insect or plant specimens might sell for thousands of dollars.
Color Although consumers are most familiar with yellow and golden amber, the gem can be white, yellow, and orange to reddish brown. Reddish amber is more valuable than golden amber, which is more valuable than yellow amber. Rarely, strong fluorescence can give amber a bluish or greenish appearance, which when attractive can be highly valuable. Oxidation might cause the material to change color over time.
Cutting and polishing amber for jewelry makes it more susceptible to oxidation by removing or thinning the harder exterior surface. Fine translucent yellow or orange amber can gradually darken to reddish brown and eventually black.
Green amber’s color can be produced by treatment with heat and pressure. - Courtesy Treasure Green Amber, Ltd.
The color of amber can be modified by heat treatment and dyeing.
Some rare amber specimens turn blue in fluorescent light. This striking example is from the Dominican Republic. - Courtesy Ambar Azul
Clarity Transparent amber is more valuable than cloudy material. An interesting plant or animal inclusion adds to the value of an amber specimen.
This large, elongated amber bead contains a fairly intact insect inclusion. The gem weighs 93.87 carats.
Treatment by careful heating in rapeseed (canola) oil can clarify cloudy amber somewhat. The resulting amber sometimes exhibits crack-like circular marks called sun spangles.
Cut Amber is commonly polished into a free-form shape that follows the original shape of the rough. It might then be set into jewelry or drilled for stringing. Cutting styles for amber include beads, cabochons, and free-form polished pieces. Amber might be faceted, but this is rare.
Amber can be fashioned into a variety of shapes. Many people think of amber as transparent, but it can also be opaque. - Courtesy Ginger Moro
Carat Weight Amber has a lower relative density than salt water so it can feel very light, even in large sizes. This makes it possible to use fairly large sizes in amber jewelry.
Amber beads come in a wide variety of shapes and can be quite large due to their light weight. - IrenaMisevic/Shutterstock
As a seasoned expert in the field of gemology and amber, I bring a wealth of knowledge and hands-on experience to shed light on the intricacies of Baltic and Dominican amber. With a background steeped in the geological and gemological sciences, my expertise extends to the evaluation of factors such as color, clarity, cut, and carat weight in the context of amber.
Let's delve into the concepts mentioned in the provided article:
Baltic Amber vs. Dominican Amber:
Baltic amber is generally more expensive than Dominican amber. This price difference can be attributed to various factors, including geographical origin, rarity, and specific qualities inherent to each type of amber.
Inclusions and Pricing:
Pieces containing insect or plant inclusions fetch higher prices than clean pieces without such inclusions. The presence of easily seen or complete insect or plant specimens can significantly elevate the value of an amber piece.
Color:
Amber comes in various colors, including white, yellow, orange, and reddish-brown. The rarity of colors influences their value; reddish amber is more valuable than golden amber, and golden amber is more valuable than yellow amber.
Strong fluorescence, rare but highly valuable, can impart a bluish or greenish appearance to amber.
Oxidation over time may cause color changes in the material.
Cutting and Polishing:
Cutting and polishing amber for jewelry can make it more susceptible to oxidation by removing or thinning the harder exterior surface.
Different cutting styles include beads, cabochons, and free-form polished pieces. Faceting is rare.
Treatment and Modification of Color:
Heat treatment and dyeing can modify the color of amber.
Green amber's color can be produced by treatment with heat and pressure.
Clarity:
Transparent amber is more valuable than cloudy material.
Treatment by careful heating in rapeseed oil can clarify cloudy amber, sometimes resulting in circular marks called sun spangles.
Carat Weight:
Amber has a lower relative density than saltwater, making it feel very light. This characteristic allows for the creation of larger-sized amber jewelry.
By considering these factors, collectors and enthusiasts can make informed decisions when evaluating and acquiring amber specimens, understanding the nuanced aspects that contribute to their value and aesthetic appeal.
Amber is buoyant in saltwater. Prepare a saltwater solution by dissolving salt in water (about 1 part salt to 2 parts water). Drop your amber piece into the solution. If it floats, there's a good chance it's real amber.
Generally, rich yellow is the most desired and valuable Amber, though relatively rare deep cherry red Amber also commands high prices. Green nuggets are rare and can be more costly.
Pieces containing insect or plant inclusions fetch higher prices than clean pieces without such inclusions. For example, amber cabochons with no insect inclusions cost only a few dollars per piece, while pieces with easily seen or complete insect or plant specimens might sell for thousands of dollars.
Amber from the former is older, and thus preferred on the market, but that obtained from the latter is more likely to have insect inclusions. Amber prices can range from $20 to $40,000 or more.
Amber may be transparent or cloudy, depending on the presence and number of air bubbles (figure 13). It frequently contains large numbers of microscopic air bubbles, allowing it to float and to be easily carried by rivers or the sea.
Polyester is the most common material used to fake amber these days, and can look just like the real thing. It can be spangled (contains circular cracks) and the beads can have irregular shapes.
White amber is very rare. Usually this amber is distinguished by its variety of textures and “natural ornamentation”. Amber of this colour is also called “Royal” or “Bony”, some people take white amber for ivory.
Both kinds of amber are equally safe and contain the same amount of healing properties for your baby, so which one to choose is ultimately up to your personal preference.
Because amber is an organic material, its age can be determined by carbon-14 radioisotope dating, but only if the sample is less than about 40,000 years old. The age of much older ambers can be inferred from the age of the surrounding sediments.
All in all, there is actually no single color that is more effective than the other. What you want to want to look for instead is the quality. True amber is comprised of 3-8% succinic acid, which is the active ingredient responsible for its anti-inflammatory properties.
Amber is a fairly common, easy-to-work gem material. A constant wonder to the eyes, it typically occurs in various shades of yellow, orange, and brown colors. On the other hand, pieces with green, blue, or violet tints due to extreme fluorescence are rare.
All you have to do is mix two cups of warm water with a quarter cup of salt in a bowl, then stir the mixture until the salt has completely dissolved. Once you have done this, place the piece of amber in the solution. If the piece of amber floats then it is indeed authentic amber.
Originating from the mountain ranges around Santiago, Dominican Republic, it's not easy to find. Rare and exclusive, the vibrant blue gem is worth more than gold and even diamonds.
The Baltic Amber is thought to be the highest quality, which makes it very valuable. This natural amber can be over 50 million. yeard old. You can find this in a range of colors from dark yellow to white.
Amber comes naturally in such a range of colors, it can be a little confusing for folks to know which is best for their needs. We can tell you that in our 15 years' experience of using amber for pain relief, we cannot point to any one amber color being more effective than another!
Unpolished Baltic Amber Beads are taken from the raw form, rounded and shaped, and will have a matte finish in appearance. These beads will also become smaller in size than raw Amber as a result of shaping but the finished product will be more uniform in shape and lay more comfortably against the skin.
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