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Original Message:   Uh..., no.
Hi Nancy,

If only it were so simple and easy! Anyone could do this stuff.

We have to be precise in what we say when we advise people. Misunderstanding is merely a few poorly-selected words away. What is "raw amber"? Do you mean uncut amber? Do you mean non-fossilized resin? In the context of amber, there are many pitfalls that must be avoided to deal with the issues brought up. If you use the wrong word, you may be inadvertently talking about something else..., but with amber it could easily be another related concern. So, let's be precise and careful.

Cloudy amber is typically trimmed, cleaned, and submerged in oil; and then CAREFULLY heated, degree by degree, to the point where the oil penetrates the substance and fills the microscopic holes. The oil used ideally has the same Index or Refraction as amber, and traditionally canola oil was used (though it was not named that at that time). Once the vat is brought to the correct temperature and held there for a time, it is then lowered, degree by degree, until the contents reach room-temperature again. Sources remark that this process took as long as about 24 hours to complete.

Anyone can throw some cloudy amber into a container with oil, and heat it. And, no doubt, this was probably done for a long time before it was brought to a science. But it WAS brought to a science in the late 19th C., in Germany. The success of the treatment is dependent on doing it carefully and precisely. It is essential to have control over the temperature, and to have a thermometer to gauge what is happening.

Submerging amber in hot water would never have the effect you are describing. It would be impossible. The BOILING POINT of water is much much lower than the softening point of amber. However, since the softening point of copal is much lower (than amber) it is possible that some copals could be so-treated. But this is BOILING water (not "hot water"), and copal is more often translucent than cloudy anyway.

Jamey

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