Amber is the resin of tertiary coniferous plants, which was buried underground by geological processes. After a long geological period, resin lost its volatile components and polymerized and solidified to form amber. Often accompanied by coal seams. Amber is a hydrocarbon containing succinic acid and amber resin. Its chemical composition is C 10H 16O, of which 79% is carbon, 10.5% is hydrogen, 10.5% is oxygen, and sometimes it contains a small amount of hydrogen sulfide. The shape of amber is mostly pie-shaped, kidney-shaped, tumor-shaped, slender water-drop-shaped and other irregular shapes. It belongs to amorphous body. Most of the colors are yellow, orange, brown, brownish yellow or dark red, and light green, yellow and lavender varieties are extremely rare. Grease luster, transparent to translucent. The refractive index is 1.539- 1.545, multicolor. Hardness 2-3, density1.1-1.16g/cm3. Brittle, cleavage-free, conchoidal fracture. Amber is an organic substance, which softens when heated to 150℃ and melts at 250℃-300℃, giving off an aromatic rosin smell. Amber is soluble in alcohol. It usually contains insects, seeds and other inclusions.
Types and evaluation of amber. According to the different colors and characteristics of amber, the varieties of amber in China are Jin Po, Xuepo, Insect Po, Xiangpo, Lingpo, Shipo, Huapo, Shuipo, Mingpo, Wapo, beeswax, Korean pine, etc. Among them, Jin Po is a precious high-quality amber. The value of amber is not high now, unless it is antiques, exquisite works of art or contains biological remains. The economic value of amber depends on the purity, shape, size and color of insects. Strong and positive color, no impurities is better. Green and transparent red are the best colors. The most valuable variety is amber wrapped with insects, commonly known as "amber hidden bees", with clear insects, realistic shapes, large individuals and large numbers as the best. Mostly used to make beads, beads, sculptures, cigarette cases, health incense and so on.
Maintenance of amber. Amber has a low melting point, is easy to melt, and is afraid of heat and exposure. Amber products should avoid direct sunlight and should not be placed in high temperature places. Amber is easy to dehydrate and crack when it is too dry. Amber is an organic substance, which is easily soluble in organic solvents, such as nail polish, alcohol, gasoline, kerosene, heavy liquid and so on. It is not suitable for putting in the dressing cabinet. Generally, it is not necessary to measure its density with heavy liquid, but to measure its refractive index with oil immersion method. Amber is fragile and has low hardness, so it is not suitable for external impact. Friction and scratches should be avoided to prevent scratches and breakage.
Amber imitation and its identification. Imitations of amber are bakelite, plastic and glass imitation amber. Generally speaking, amber is distinguished according to its low density, high hardness and easy softening. When imitations such as amber are put into saturated salt solution, only amber can float, while imitations such as bakelite, plastic and glass imitation amber all sink into saturated salt water. Refractive index: bakelite 1.66, plastic 1.63, all higher than amber. Tested by hot iron needle, amber gives off a loose fragrance, while bakelite and plastic give off a spicy taste. The most similar to amber is to suppress amber. Pressing amber is to gather small pieces of amber together, heat them at 200℃-250℃ to melt them, and then they will melt together after cooling. There are slender or flat bubbles with flowing structure, and turbid granular structure can be seen under the magnifying glass.
Amber is an ancient jewelry material. As a gem, it has a history of nearly 6000 years. Decorations made of amber have been unearthed in many ancient tombs in China, Greece and Egypt. Women in ancient Rome had the habit of holding precious stones in their hands. The reason is that amber will give off a faint fragrance when heated at the temperature of the palm. The ancient Romans gave amber a very high value, and a small statue carved with amber was more valuable than a strong slave. Amber can also relieve pain and relieve shock. In some places, a string of amber is often hung on children's chests to ward off evil spirits and relieve shock.
Amber often appears in coal seams and is associated with coal concentrate. Fushun amber is mainly produced in tertiary coal seams containing amber in the early Cenozoic, especially in Baltic countries in Europe, and it is produced in other countries such as North America, the United States, India, New Zealand and Myanmar. Amber from China is produced in Fushun, Liaoning and Nanyang, Henan. Amber produced in Fushun is yellow to golden yellow, and often contains insects. It is a very precious variety with a beautiful appearance. The quality of amber produced in Nanyang is poor, so it can only be used as medicine and made into pressed amber. Distinguish amber from real amber.
Natural amber is light in texture and floats in saturated salt water. However, burning or rubbing hard will give off fragrance. Amber room is very astringent, no two amber pieces are the same. It is suggested that consumers should not give up the opportunity to appreciate amber because of the problem of authenticity, and may wish to strengthen their understanding of amber.