Amber Listserv / Novelty from China

[JOHN FUDALA]

Well, it also appeared rarer than a hen's tooth, except I saw a herd of
those! Six or so and in different sizes too! I just could not believe this
is amber so I talked to the merchant- a huge dealer, one of largest. First I
was assured that the manufacturer in China swears it is made of real, 100%
Baltic amber. Not convinced, I came back again and than I was told it is
real amber plates fitted to the outside and amber, or reconstituted amber
inside. I was not convinced at all.
If I see a mould casting I know what I see. So what is it after all?
I do not know yet- I have not checked on it lately- in the picture the hand
holding the elephant is the hand of a University of Gdansk scientist who
will test a piece of the elephant using IRS method.
Than again, two years ago I talked to a man who displayed bracelets made of
absolutely clear cognac (light) amber- all identical and claimed they are
made of real amber. I think the rules of injection moulding for plastic can
be, and were used on amber. It is another thing these objects appear dead.
They are just objects without the charm the natural amber sculptures have.
Plastic.

John

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