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 Post subject: Blue amber vs copal dilemma
PostPosted: Sun Nov 28, 2021 10:32 pm 
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Could anyone advise me on figuring out if an amber bead I have is blue amber or copal?

It passed all the usual amber tests except the bead got tacky enough to stick to my finger from acetone application. Once the acetone fully evaporated, there was no damage left.

However, it has strong blue fluorescence in sunlight, and based on what I read this is possible only with resin from Hymenaea protera tree which is supposed to be at least 15 million years old.

Am I missing any info on the existence of copal that can fluoresce in sunlight just like blue amber?


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 Post subject: Re: Blue amber vs copal dilemma
PostPosted: Mon Nov 29, 2021 10:44 am 
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Amber from southeast Asia (particularly malaysia and indonesia) does get tacky with acetone and can be blue. That would be my guess.

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 Post subject: Re: Blue amber vs copal dilemma
PostPosted: Tue Nov 30, 2021 2:15 pm 
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Or find someone with a GemmoFTIR...it is a separation found in the software.


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 Post subject: Re: Blue amber vs copal dilemma
PostPosted: Tue Nov 30, 2021 11:42 pm 
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I am afraid FTIR is not likely to happen :( There is virtually no gemology scene in my country.


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 Post subject: Re: Blue amber vs copal dilemma
PostPosted: Wed Dec 01, 2021 12:01 am 
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Here is a post on Mindat.org that might help you. Pretty much says the same as what's been conveyed already.
https://www.mindat.org/mesg-286019.html

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