Russia - Telling fake amber from real amber-help!

I am going to be in Russia for a month this summer. Mostly in Koltsovo, Siberia. But we will be going to Moscow and St. Pete as well. I would love to buy some amber. I remember that last time I was in Russia(17 yrs ago) I was warned to be careful because of so much fake amber. Is there a way for a novice like myself to tell the real from plastic? Also is there any place that I should be looking for some deals.
One other side question: There is another purple stone that I have seen that is exclusive to Siberia area. Can't recall the name of it. I believe it is mined near a river. Any ideas what I am talking about?:confused:
Thx,

I love amber but have been advised that a lot amber for sale now is not real. If it looks too good to be true, has bugs that are too clean and too big, be careful.

Oddly the best piece of amber I own I bought at a Steinmart discount clothing store. I was shopping with an elderly relative who knew what was real and what was not. She urged me to buy a bead necklace and I did

. Shop and learn at home before you shop in a foreign country.

One other side question: There is another purple stone that I have seen that is exclusive to Siberia area. Can't recall the name of it. I believe it is mined near a river. Any ideas what I am talking about?:confused:
Thx,

You are probably referring to the CHAROITE Crystal. It is found in only one part of the world: the Chara River area of Siberia. It is a purple stone with black and white patterns.

Yes, charoite is the name of the stone. Thx so much for your info. :D

I am going to be in Russia for a month this summer. Mostly in Koltsovo, Siberia. But we will be going to Moscow and St. Pete as well. I would love to buy some amber. I remember that last time I was in Russia(17 yrs ago) I was warned to be careful because of so much fake amber. Is there a way for a novice like myself to tell the real from plastic? Also is there any place that I should be looking for some deals.
One other side question: There is another purple stone that I have seen that is exclusive to Siberia area. Can't recall the name of it. I believe it is mined near a river. Any ideas what I am talking about?:confused:
Thx,

Que-girl...you have a PM!

Amber is buoyant in salt water. That is why it is easy for locals on the Baltic Coast to find it washed up on beaches, especially after storm events. The amber gets stirred up from a layer known as blue earth, which is beneath layers of silt and clay on the ocean floor. To do this test, mix about 1 part salt to 2 parts water and dissolve the salt completely. Drop your piece into the mixture. Plastic and copal will drop out, while amber floats.

Here is the simplest and safest test. Amber is warm to the touch and when rubbed, it will become electrostatically charged and will attract lint/dust particles. This is what the ancient Greeks discovered and named it "electron", which is where we get the term "electricity".

There are 2 other tests you can do, but they involve heat and solvents.

So if I am understanding you correctly, if I saw an amber pendant somewhere, if I rubbed it on my skin, sleeve, I should feel heat and it should be electromagnetically charged and pick up some lint, dirt, etc? I will try it on some of the pieces that I am reasonably sure are authentic and see. Thx so much.

So if I am understanding you correctly, if I saw an amber pendant somewhere, if I rubbed it on my skin, sleeve, I should feel heat and it should be electromagnetically charged and pick up some lint, dirt, etc? I will try it on some of the pieces that I am reasonably sure are authentic and see. Thx so much.

While you're concerned with real vs fake, you should be aware real Amber, (like diamonds), is rated by many factors to determine price. So you might rub it and find it is real, but what is it worth....? Just because you're buying it in the Baltic region, (which is highly prized), doesn't mean it's Baltic Amber. Honey color is highly popular, however the price is largely determined by the insect or plant life inside it. Good Hunting..... er Shopping....:)

So if I am understanding you correctly, if I saw an amber pendant somewhere, if I rubbed it on my skin, sleeve, I should feel heat and it should be electromagnetically charged and pick up some lint, dirt, etc? I will try it on some of the pieces that I am reasonably sure are authentic and see. Thx so much.

Yep, that's right. Try to pick up some very small pieces of paper.

I bought quite a few amber pieces in Lithuania. They are very nice. There are many amber shops in Lithuania. And a friend brought me a piece of amber from Poland that is greenish in hue. But I prefer the reddish-brown amber. Note that most amber jewelry is mounted in silver. The reason, as it was explained to me, is that amber is warm so the silver (cool) contrasts with the warmth of the amber.

Please be very careful buying amber in Russia - there are many unscrupulous sellers in Russia. Go to a reputable store if you can.