Amber has a hardness rating of 2.5. As amber is soft, it can be easily scratched. Be certain to store amber jewelry separately from your other jewelry. Amber has been imitated by plastic, glass, synthetic resin and other natural resins. It is often heated in oil to remove cloudiness.
Green amber is often heated-treated yellow amber.
Some of this amber has been washed to the shores of Norway, Denmark and England. This book on amber contains details of amber's formation, geographical locations, history, folklore, identification and present-day importance in jewelry. This book is really great for knowing he latest gems, synthetics, treatments, and instruments. Easy to use. A Guide to Buying - by Renee Newman Very nice gemstone identification book.