Identification Of Reconstructed Amber From Different Periods

Recently, reconstructed amber has been more commonly encountered in the Chinese jewellery market. Some of the newer (post-2009) material presents a serious identification challenge for gemmological laboratories. This article divides reconstructed ambers into two categories-early and current-corresponding to their properties and the approximate time period that they were manufactured. By comparing the structure of reconstructed amber from either category with that of natural amber, it is generally possible to differentiate it using microscopic features. In addition, the distinctive structure of reconstructed amber can sometimes be seen using cross-polarized light and UV fluorescence imaging with a standard UV lamp or with the Diamond-View instrument. (C) 2016 The Gemmological Association of Great Britain