Featured Just bought this. Amber fossils or Lucite? Embedded bees.

I just bought this and am curious, did they actually put bees in Lucite? I hope they didn't do that. I figured either it is Amber or I will finally feel some Lucite. Spent $18.00 for it.

 

It is from the seller. Good to know. Thank you!

 

I've seen jewelry made with bees cast in resin that look like this.
Wait for amber expert opinions, though!

 

Example

 

Insects are only occasionally found in amber. About 99% of insects in amber and amber lookalikes are put there by fakers. Imo your bracelet is a fake, sorry.
The poor insects could have been trapped in lucite, I don't know if that is one of the materials fakers use, they use so many. I prefer to steer well clear of that kind of thing.

Here is an article on some of the fakes:
https://www.amberpieces.com/fake-amber-fossil-inclusions.html

 

I know watched, or read that you can tell Amber by the smell. So I will probably have to wait until it gets here. Hopefully fast, and hopefully a day my husband isn't home. LMAO

 

Next time I buy I will come here. I feel bad for the bees. Was hoping if it was Lucite the bees were already dead. But from the looks of it they just do it while they are still alive.

 

Do you have a black light? I bought a little flashlight on Amazon for cheap. You can go into a dark place like your closet (you can take your husband if you want) and amber will fluoresce under black light. You can see examples on youtube or the web of what it is supposed to look like.

 

It was advertised as Lucite. I was searching

Yes I do. And I will take my husband. Sounds like fun

 

This makes me very sad for the poor bees

 

Sad.......... If that were true amber with insects in it you wouldn't be touching it for 18$

 

Any time you see things on stretchy string. Think twice. The majority of it is being imported.
And is usually, not always, low quality.
Just be aware.

I think this is resin and not Lucite.
And we are back to what we think Lucite is.

 

It is very sad for the bees, but nothing to be done now!

Not the first time resin-encased bugs (or taxidermy animals) have been on the forum.

When I was a kid, we collected living shells by the literal bucket-load. Took 'em home and boiled 'em up, just so we could have the pretty shells.

We are quite the horror show.

But we live and learn. Now I fish all manner of insects, arachnids, and reptiles out of my swimming pool because I can't stand their struggles.

 

Technically, most (if not all) plastics are resins.

Though we are now well past the end of my actual knowledge and I'm just babbling as if I know.

It would probably be best to ask @KSW to submit a query to her chemist dad on this topic.

 

Be careful what you wish for!
I can do but won't be responsible for boring everyone out of the forum. I will ask for an abridged version of what is Lucite, Perspex, resin and 'normal' plastic when I next see him. He will be delighted to think I am interested

 

I am stupidly excited about this.

 

I have the same exact bracelet. I had my husband (boyfriend at the time) purchase it for me when we were on a trip to a little Greek Island 18 years ago. I remember he paid way, way too much and we were completely duped. I've always felt so bad about that purchase (both for the cost and the bees) so I put it away and never took it out again. I think I might find a bee organization to donate to now that I've been reminded!