Although there are lots of amber beads around, and some copal beads, a great percentage of the time (particularly among African beads) what is called "amber" or "copal," is really plastic. The best imitations of amber are composed of phenolic plastic (related to Bakelite, and harder than actual amber).

You can demonstrate this for yourself.

Into a glass or jar, put eight ounces of tap water (one cup) and stir in three tablespoons of salt. This will make a brine in which amber (and copal) will float. Phenolic plastic beads will sink like rocks.

Since there are many different kinds of plastics used to imitate amber, I can't judge what your beads are, but I can tell they are not copal, and are most likely not amber. Since the majority of imitations, and therefore the most common and readily available "amber" beads, are phenolic, it is safe to guess that this is what you have.

Make the brine from the above formula, drop in a bead or two—and then tell us what happens.

Jamey