I have made a special point to show all of the amber specimens that are the most-red--because i think it is significant that people see them.

Nevertheless, if you were to see these things in real life, you would notice that the hue of these pieces is different from the typical fakes that abound in the bead marketplace. Their colors are a more tawny-red, and there is some variation in saturation and tone (and sometimes translucency and inclusions). The tone of fakes is generally strident and uniform. However, we can't expect that to always be true.

The specimens that are shown in this exhibit are very RARE pieces. They have largely been archaeologically recovered, and are often 1,000 years old or older. Their surfaces are crackled and organic-looking. These details may not always be evident from photographs.

Please let me assure you—in real life you would be able to visually distinguish between these authentic antiquities, and the plastic imitations that mostly postdate 1926.

Be well. Jamey