As I always do with amber, I performed two amateur tests of authenticity of
on it: the burn test and the float test. The amber burned slowly (didn't melt) with
white smoke and a good pine scent. It floated in both heavy and light saline solutions, another
indicator of real amber. Plastic/resin beads sink. I do assume that these beads have been
heated to improve their clarity. Two indicators of this are their uniform, deep cognac color, and
the planar inclusions, or "sun spangles" within them, which throw the light around.
All amber should be kept from chlorinated water and detergents.
