Amber Listserv / Amber Fwd: Found specimen in North Saskatchewan - Help to identify

[tamber12 at aol.com]

Folks, I got this from a guy way up north.  He found this stuff, thinks it's amber but after reading his last post, it's doubtful.  However, if there is anyone in Saskatchewan or nearby that would have a look for him, do please get hold of me or of Ryan directly. 

-Tammi






-----Original Message-----
From: Ryan Burns <ryan at burnsnde.com>
To: tamber12 at aol.com
Sent: Tue, 5 Jun 2007 1:03 pm
Subject: RE: Found specimen in North Saskatchewan - Help to identify




Hi Tammi,

 

Thanks for your reply.  I found it North of Lloydminster, and just inside the Sk border, in a gravel lined yard.  I think the gravel would likely have come from dredging the North Saskatchewan river bed.  I have done the needle test, and cannot smell anything.  The piece does  not scratch with a knife blade.  I tried the salt bath, but unless the concentration is too weak, it does not float.  The piece is rather heavy, and has two inclusions visible, one is something black, and is open to the outside surface, the other is a clear sphere, looks like a bubble close to the outside, but fully contained in the rock.  I also tried the taste test, but am somewhat unsure of what I can taste, if anything.  When it is warm from washing, it almost feels like glass, my fingers squeak on it.  Due to the veins and general feel of it, in my humble opinion I do not believe it to be quartz.  Is there any record of dinosaur egg “yokes” being found fossilized?  I would love to have an expert look at it.

Thanks for your help,

 

Ryan.

 


From: tamber12 at aol.com [mailto:tamber12 at aol.com] 
Sent: June 5, 2007 10:04 AM
To: ryan at burnsnde.com
Cc: paul at zurven.com
Subject: Re: Found specimen in North Saskatchewan - Help to identify


 

Hi Ryan,

Well, it looks interesting.  There have been some Cretaceous ambers found in Cedar Lake at the mouth of the Saskatchewan River, so I'd say what you have may be it.  Have you tried the acetone test?  Is the piece heavy, light?  My partner thinks it might be quartz, the light comes through it so I tend to think amber.  Do the hot needle test and see if it emits a smell.  It should be a sweet, piney smell, pleasant.  If you would care to provide me with a location of where you found it, I might be able to better verify the possibility of it being amber.  Otherwise, I can probably find you someone in Canada to consult with.  What would you like to do from here?

Cheers,

Tammi Johnson


-----Original Message-----
From: Ryan Burns 
To: info at ambergallery.com
Sent: Tue, 5 Jun 2007 10:37 am
Subject: Found specimen in North Saskatchewan - Help to identify




Hello,



 



I’d like to send you a couple photos of a piece I think may be amber.  I am having difficulty matching it up with other similar samples on websites and rockhound forums.  Is it possible to tell from a photo?  The piece is quite “veined” and deep orange in color.  Any advice appreciated.



 



Ryan Burns 
Burns NDE Inc. 
Cell 780-721-1591 
Office 780-929-8953 
Fax 780-929-8923 
Email ryan at burnsnde.com 
Web www.burnsnde.com







 







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