Featured Amber or copal?

Discussion in 'Jewelry' started by c.free, Jul 13, 2020.

  1. c.free

    c.free Active Member

    Here is my Amber necklace that I am now thinking might be copal. I am thinking it might be copal because of the crazing and cracked bead. My guess is that it is from Mexico an 1970’s. But I live in Texas so I always guess Mexico when I’m not sure. Usually it is pretty good guess. I buy most of my jewelry at estate sales so it is often hard to tell. I have been reading tons of y’all’s posts. I’m learning a lot and getting to look at some really cool jewelry. I will start posting moe of my stuff. And I thank you in advance for your help. I find it fascinating to learn more about the jewelry I wear. 27E19EE9-5ECC-4917-BB71-1D799023AE73.jpeg 783423E8-52E8-40C0-89E2-867295742AE4.jpeg 9ECA61C7-921B-4161-8238-70AB6785224A.jpeg 9ECA61C7-921B-4161-8238-70AB6785224A.jpeg
     
  2. Any Jewelry

    Any Jewelry Well-Known Member

    I see what you mean, that crazing makes a case for copal. It could still be amber though, even with the fractures. What colour is it under a UV light?
    And try a drop of acetone on one of the chips. If the chip becomes sticky, it is copal.
     
    Last edited: Jul 14, 2020
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  3. c.free

    c.free Active Member


    Is Uv the same as a black light?
     
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  4. reader

    reader Well-Known Member

    My understanding is that black light is a UVA light. Others will correct if I’m wrong.
     
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  5. komokwa

    komokwa The Truth is out there...!

    Strictly speaking, a black light is a kind of UV light. Black lights emit ultraviolet radiation (UV light). UV is radiation with a wavelength just shorter than that of violet light, which is the shortest wavelength of light in the visible part of the electromagnetic spectrum.

    sounds reasonable..
     
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  6. c.free

    c.free Active Member

    I don’t have a black, or UV light. I probably need to get one. I put the piece in acetone and it came out a bit sticky. Copal I guess. Thanks Ya’ll.
     
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  7. Any Jewelry

    Any Jewelry Well-Known Member

    In the case of copal v. amber, that is the best test.:)
     
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