I'd like to share some methods shared by a young disciple to distinguish authentic Amber. It's difficult to differentiate authentic from imitation Amber, so everyone, please exercise caution!
Hint: we do not sell Amber in our meditation center.
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Hint: we do not sell Amber in our meditation center.
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The Amber quality in the market alternates between authentic and imitation, and varies markedly, causing much confusion. As consumers, it is easy to be "tripped up" if we're less careful, letting our hard-earned cash go to waste. How then do we tell authentic Amber from imitation ones?
Below are 6 ways to help minimize your chances of being deceived. Note that it is not sufficient to use only one to two methods to determine Amber authenticity, because many quality imitation Amber bear some characteristics of real ones, so they may pass these tests partially.
In order to ensure your Amber purchase do not become a life-long remorse, it is recommended that you use the following methods to ascertain before the purchase. Passing one method does not mean the Amber is authentic ; but failing one of them implies it is imitation.
Authentication method:
1. Weight test
The density of Amber is 1.8g/cm^3, and it feels very light in the hand. If the Amber feels substantial, and dense on the palm, it is likely imitation, and could be constituted of glass.
The density of Amber is 1.8g/cm^3, and it feels very light in the hand. If the Amber feels substantial, and dense on the palm, it is likely imitation, and could be constituted of glass.
Note: Many imitation Amber weighs just as light as authentic ones, so weight alone cannot distinguish authenticity.
2. Fluorescence test
Use an ultraviolet flashlight to shine on the Amber. Authentic Amber will display fluorescence, usually in blue. Depending on the Amber source and variety, the fluorescent intensity can vary, such as blue-green, blue-white, purple, and pink fluorescence. However, many quality imitation Amber on the market has been coated with fluorescent powder, and also display fluorescence; so this cannot absolutely affirm authenticity.
Use an ultraviolet flashlight to shine on the Amber. Authentic Amber will display fluorescence, usually in blue. Depending on the Amber source and variety, the fluorescent intensity can vary, such as blue-green, blue-white, purple, and pink fluorescence. However, many quality imitation Amber on the market has been coated with fluorescent powder, and also display fluorescence; so this cannot absolutely affirm authenticity.
3. Salt water test
Place the isolated Amber in salt water that is saturated 1:4; authentic Amber will float while imitation ones will sink. Note that authentic Amber will still sink in plain water so it is necessary to use brine.
Place the isolated Amber in salt water that is saturated 1:4; authentic Amber will float while imitation ones will sink. Note that authentic Amber will still sink in plain water so it is necessary to use brine.
The brine test separates the glass from a variety of plastic imitation Amber (85% of all imitation Amber) because the imitation Amber will always submerge. Yet some friends with keen interest find that imitation Amber can also float in brine, such as those of quality plastic. What shall we do next?
Note: The first three authentication methods are easier to conduct, with no damage to the tested Amber. The three methods described below have a small degree of damage to the Amber, but the results are more conclusive. It is suggested that buyers choose two relatively inexpensive Amber for invasive testing at the merchant, and consider purchasing the more expensive ones if the Amber passes the tests.
4. Hot needle test (slight damage)
Place a hot needle on the Amber surface, and smell it; if there is a pine fragrance, it may be authentic; if there is bad burning plastic odor, it is fake, a plastic imitation. Authentic Amber need not necessarily have a pine fragrance, like those in Burma from the Araucariaceae variety that do not give off pine scent. Amber formed from the Podocarpaceae variety has the pine fragrance, such as those from the Baltic Sea.
Place a hot needle on the Amber surface, and smell it; if there is a pine fragrance, it may be authentic; if there is bad burning plastic odor, it is fake, a plastic imitation. Authentic Amber need not necessarily have a pine fragrance, like those in Burma from the Araucariaceae variety that do not give off pine scent. Amber formed from the Podocarpaceae variety has the pine fragrance, such as those from the Baltic Sea.
Note that pine fragrance alone does not affirm authentic Amber, because imitation ones can contain added essential oil, with a pine fragrance to deceive consumers.
5. Knife scraping test (slight damage)
With a knife to scrape the amber surface, authentic Amber damage will appear like glass debris, while plastic quality imitation will have a rolled, sheet-like layer without debris. This test can distinguish all plastic-imitation "amber", but further validation is necessary for Amber from young copal resins and compressed amber.
With a knife to scrape the amber surface, authentic Amber damage will appear like glass debris, while plastic quality imitation will have a rolled, sheet-like layer without debris. This test can distinguish all plastic-imitation "amber", but further validation is necessary for Amber from young copal resins and compressed amber.
6. Alcohol test
When alcohol is dripped on Amber surface, the authentic ones will not change in a short time, while the surface of the copal resin will become sticky and opaque. Copal resin is resin that is not petrified, with typical ages of less than 2 million years, and authentic Amber is resin fossils of beyond 10 million years. Copal resins are often used to pass off as authentic Amber because of their appearance and many similar properties, but the alcohol test can effectively separate copal from real amber.
When alcohol is dripped on Amber surface, the authentic ones will not change in a short time, while the surface of the copal resin will become sticky and opaque. Copal resin is resin that is not petrified, with typical ages of less than 2 million years, and authentic Amber is resin fossils of beyond 10 million years. Copal resins are often used to pass off as authentic Amber because of their appearance and many similar properties, but the alcohol test can effectively separate copal from real amber.
After the above-mentioned tests, the Amber that remains can only be the compressed type. Compressed Amber is made from natural amber scrap and powder, almost to the extent of the authentic type, and oblivious to all test methods except for the knife scraping test. For the amateur, this is most challenging, and those who want to authenticate the Amber words are advised to seek help from professional gemologists.
Deceptive practices and importance of the need for appraisal:
And here's to share with you the deceptive practices by merchants to secure consumer trust; I'd personally experienced this. Merchants who sense that the buyer has basic knowledge of Amber may utilize an exceptionally poor imitation alongside a quality imitation and began to conduct tests to supplement your knowledge. Under this, the merchant will proof to you that her quality imitation "amber" can pass through tests, such as fluorescence, reaction, and buoyancy in brine (quality imitation plastic "amber" can be partially tested, though it will still not pass the invasive "scraping" test).
And here's to share with you the deceptive practices by merchants to secure consumer trust; I'd personally experienced this. Merchants who sense that the buyer has basic knowledge of Amber may utilize an exceptionally poor imitation alongside a quality imitation and began to conduct tests to supplement your knowledge. Under this, the merchant will proof to you that her quality imitation "amber" can pass through tests, such as fluorescence, reaction, and buoyancy in brine (quality imitation plastic "amber" can be partially tested, though it will still not pass the invasive "scraping" test).
As a consumer, when you encounter merchants who show you the imitation amber for comparison, you might think he is honest, lower your guard, and start believing the Amber is authentic - at this stage, you would have fallen into the trap. Therefore, in Amber purchase, no matter how convincing the merchant is, how knowledgeable he appears, and even when he assists in the authentication, please remember that those are fluff, we still have to do our own tests, not a single less!
In summary：
Amber enthusiasts and collectors know very well that this line is exceptionally profound; the capacity for imitation is limitless. Most Amber enthusiasts have learnt the trade through the hard way, and even the contributor of this article had been subject to unscrupulous merchant in Myanmar, paying 300 US dollars for two plastic imitation "eggs". Having been deceived, this article hopes more consumers will have some preliminary understanding of Amber authentication and not be deceived by the lowest level of fraud. Lastly, we urge everyone to appreciate but buy less, especially in trades that we do not understand. Amber market is profoundly deep like the sea, so back off while you can!
Amber enthusiasts and collectors know very well that this line is exceptionally profound; the capacity for imitation is limitless. Most Amber enthusiasts have learnt the trade through the hard way, and even the contributor of this article had been subject to unscrupulous merchant in Myanmar, paying 300 US dollars for two plastic imitation "eggs". Having been deceived, this article hopes more consumers will have some preliminary understanding of Amber authentication and not be deceived by the lowest level of fraud. Lastly, we urge everyone to appreciate but buy less, especially in trades that we do not understand. Amber market is profoundly deep like the sea, so back off while you can!
给大家分享一个小弟子转发来的琥珀鉴定方法 。
真假琥珀难辨，大家小心！
提示：我们禅堂没有销售琥珀！
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市场上的琥珀质量真真假假、鱼龙混杂，做为消费者的我们
真假琥珀难辨，大家小心！
提示：我们禅堂没有销售琥珀！
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市场上的琥珀质量真真假假、鱼龙混杂，做为消费者的我们
下面为大家介绍的六种方法会帮你减少上当受骗的机率。注
为了不让琥珀成为你心中永远的痛，建议大家购买前用以下
鉴定方法：
1. 掂重量
琥珀的密度是1.8g/
注意：很多假琥珀的重量做得像真琥珀一样轻，所以光靠重
2. 荧光反应
用紫光手电筒照射琥珀，真琥珀会出现荧光反应，荧光通常
3. 盐水实验
将不戴任何镶嵌物的琥珀放在1:4的饱和盐水中，真琥珀
盐水实验可以将玻璃类和部分塑料类的假琥珀（占所有琥珀
注：前三种鉴定方法都比较容易进行，对被测试的琥珀没有
4. 热针实验（小型破坏）
用烧热的针扎琥珀表面，再闻琥珀被扎处的气味，如果是松
需要注意的是有松香味也不代表琥珀一定是真的，因为仿制
5. 刀刮实验（小型破坏）
用小刀刮琥珀表面，真琥珀受损会出现和玻璃渣滓一样的碎
6. 酒精实验
将酒精滴于琥珀表面，短时间内，真琥珀不会有任何变化，
经过上述几个试验后，能够存活下来的仿琥珀就只有压制琥
关于被骗和做鉴定的重要性：
还要跟大家爆料一个商家骗取买家信任的方法，本人亲身经
做为消费者当你看到老板把假琥珀都拿出来给你对比了，觉
总结：
尝试涉猎于琥珀收藏的玩家都知道琥珀这行水太深了，各种
尝试涉猎于琥珀收藏的玩家都知道琥珀这行水太深了，各种
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https://www.facebook.com/jinbodhiworld/
Research credits as cited in article:
Amber authentication video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-NkJknxcV-w
Article resource: http://www.ihpsj.com/article-414.html
More information available at (更多美文请至):
1) Meditation and Health Facebook Page 禅修与健康 脸书
https://www.facebook.com/putihome/
2) Official Bodhi Meditation Website 菩提禅修官方网站
http://putihome.org/
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