Dominican amber is found in a wide range of colors, and generally is translucent. Most common are the yellows, golds, oranges and brown hues. Inclusions are more common in Dominican than in Baltic amber, and due to the natural translucence, generally more visible. Baltic amber is also found in a wide range of colors and, additionally, is often opaque, or partially opaque, due to minute bubbles in the amber. Dominican amber is generally not subjected to enhancement by heat or oil treatment.
Inclusions add to the value as well as the craftsmanship involved in the piece of jewelry itself.
The skillful cutting of amber, as with any gemstone, can greatly enhance the piece. Size of the stone is also a consideration in price, as large pieces of rough amber are more difficult to obtain than small nuggets. Rough amber is rarely available as pieces larger than the palm of the hand. Bakelite and early plastic imitations also can easily fool the buyer. There are several tests one can make to determine the authenticity of a piece.