These are very general questions. Have you tried to do a Search of the Archives here?

I moderate four Yahoo Groups, where I also post advice about beads. One is about all sorts of beads, and one is devoted to amber:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/beadcollectors/

http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/amberisforever/

(Links to each Group can be found in the primary Group.)

The PDF I posted in the Amber Group will explain what you can do to test amber and "amber."

Jamey