Amber & Copal

Fossilised resin so often has trapped insects, pollen or environmental remains. Can be 300+ mill years old.

Transp to transl yellow-reddish brown. Reddish amber, now rare, from Myanmar.

Soft material often used as beads, cabochons, cravings, rings, earrings or ornate objects.

Less durable (more abundant) resin called copal; lighter yellow than most amber; can be confused with or mis-sold as amber. Can also contain insects.

Both are regularly treated:

• copal treated with complex methods to improve durability and greenish hue can result
• popular treatment in China and Middle East
• common practice called ‘clarification’ uses low heat to dissolve gas bubbles causing translucency
• opposite is beeswax ageing that removes transp
• sun spangles are discoid shapes resulting from fast cooling of heat treated amber

Clean using lukewarm plain water and soft cloth; avoid direct sunlight for long periods; avoid contact with perfumes, hairsprays, nail polish remover.