B4S15: The Gemstones - Amber

Question 1

Name the colours and varieties of amber.

Answer 1

Yellow to brown
Reddish brown
Almost white
Rarely with green or blue tint

Question 2

Describe the durability of amber.

Answer 2

Amber is a soft material with poor stability and poor toughness.

Question 3

What type of inclusions can be seen in amber?

Answer 3

Plant dedris
Small animals, insects and spiders
Minerals, liquids and gases

Question 4

Which are the most important commercial source of amber?

Answer 4

Northern Europe around the Baltic Sea
The Dominican Republic
Mexico

Question 5

Name 3 materials that are similar in appearance to amber.

Answer 5

Copal resin
Plastic
Glass

Question 6

Name 5 common treatments of amber.

Answer 6

Clarification
Burning
Dyeing and colouring
Coatings
Composites

Question 7

Describe clarification in amber.

Answer 7

Cloudiness in amber is caused by tiny air bubbles.
These can be removed by various heat treatments to make amber more transparent.
If care is not taken in the cooling process, circular stress cracks can develop.
This side-effect is often deliberately induced and these cracks are referred to as ‘lily pads’ or ‘sun spangles’.