Amber vs. Copal: What's the Difference and Why It Matters

Confused about amber and copal? Learn the key differences in hardness, age, and composition. Ensure you're investing in true fossilized amber for your jewelry.

In your search for natural amber jewelry, you may encounter the term "copal." While it looks similar and is also a natural resin, there are crucial differences that affect value, durability, and authenticity. Understanding these will help you make an informed purchase.

The Fundamental Difference: Age and Fossilization

It all comes down to time.

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  Amberis a fully fossilized ancient resin. Its formation takes millions of years (typically over 2-3 million) and is fully polymerized and hardened.

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  Copalis a youngor semi-fossilized resin. It's anywhere from a few thousand to a million years old and has not completed the transformation into amber. Think of it as amber's teenage phase.

Practical Ways to Tell Them Apart

Due to this difference in maturity, you can distinguish them in a few ways:

1. 1.

   The Smell Test:This is a telling sign. Gently rub the specimen in an inconspicuous spot to generate a small amount of heat. Copal, being younger, will often have a faint, fresh, piney or chemical scent. Amber typically has little to no scent, or a very faint, warm, resinous aroma.

2. 2.

   Hardness Test:Copal is much softer than amber. Carefully try to scratch it with a fingernail in an unseen area. Copal will be more easily scratched.

3. 3.

   Acetone Test (Use with extreme caution:Apply a tiny drop of acetone (nail polish remover) to a hidden area with a cotton swab. Copal's surface will become sticky and cloudy. True amber will not react.(Warning: This is a slightly destructive test).

Why Choose True Amber?

Opting for amber over copal is wise for several reasons:

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  Durability:Amber is stable and won't age or crack easily. Copal is more prone to crazing (developing tiny cracks) and degradation over time.

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  Value:As a true fossil, amber has a scientific and collectible value that copal lacks.

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  Investment:A fine piece of amber jewelry is an heirloom investment, while copal may deteriorate.

At AMBERLIB, we pride ourselves on using 100% genuine Baltic amber, a true ancient treasure. Rest assured, you are investing in real history when you shop with us.