Thanks for the plug. My Group actually does have a lot to offer in its archive and dialogues.

The mottled amber beads seen here look like Chinese beads called "root amber" by the Chinese and by collectors. I only know it to come from China, where it was exploited some hundreds of years ago, and that began to occur again in the 1990s. The literature says there used to be a mottled amber from Rumania--but I have not seen specimens. I am reasonably sure the beads shown are new Chinese beads.

The static test for amber was known as far back as Roman times, 2000 years ago. It was heavily promoted in the 19th century by British and American collectors. However, once phenolic plastic imitations were introduced (1926)--because these will also take a negative static-electric charge--the value of the rub test has been totally negated.

Rubbing "amber" to make an aroma is the first step in identifying its actual material. Phenolic plastics quickly make the smell of carbolic acid--a rather unpleasnat plastic smell. After about a minute (you MUST time it), real amber will exude the aroma of pine resin.

Please refer to the posted advice at Amber Forever for more helpful information.

Jamey