Amber Listserv / Black amber

[charles stearns]

What ever it is...I am confident that it is not amber. I personally doubt 
the seller knows. I was not impressed with their mine cut diamond ring. I 
don't think it possible for actual black amber to be faceted in this manner, 
much less to survive more than a century and remain in a polished condition.

Besides jet, black onyx would be commonly used in this time frame. Besides 
bakelite, ebonite/vulcanite ( a form of rubber I believe, ie: bowling balls) 
and black amethyst might be a possibility. Ebay has so much junk available 
that is misrepresented, some deliberate, but often out of ignorance. It 
pollutes the waters for many legitimate sellers.

If you want to buy real amber, natural and untreated, you need to dig it 
from the ground (or fish from the water) yourself or really know the seller. 
I have seen various members of this forum selling quality product at fair 
prices and I wonder how they manage in competition with all the crap I see.

Best regards,

Charles