How to Tell If Baltic Amber Is Real: 7 Simple Tests

Baltic amber is fossilized tree resin, 40 to 50 million years old, harvested along the shores of the Baltic Sea. Because genuine amber commands a premium, the market is full of imitations: plastic, glass, synthetic resin, and young copal sold as the real thing. Here are seven reliable ways to tell the difference.

1. The saltwater float test

Genuine Baltic amber floats in salt water. Dissolve about two tablespoons of salt in a glass of water and drop the piece in. Real amber floats or hovers; most plastics and glass sink. This is the single easiest at-home test.

2. Warmth to the touch

Amber is a poor conductor of heat, so it feels warm — almost soft — against your skin. Glass and stone imitations feel cold and stay cold. Hold the piece in your hand for a moment: real amber warms up quickly.

3. The static electricity test

Rub amber briskly against a wool or cotton cloth for a few seconds. Genuine amber builds a static charge and will lift a small scrap of paper or your hair. In fact, the Greek word for amber — elektron — is where "electricity" comes from.

4. Smell after friction

Rub the piece hard enough to warm it, then smell it. Real amber gives off a faint, pleasant resinous or pine scent. Plastic smells like burnt chemicals; copal smells sweeter and softens noticeably.

5. Look closely at the inclusions

Under magnification, genuine amber often contains tiny natural bubbles, plant fragments, or the occasional insect — irregular and unique. Fake "inclusions" tend to look too perfect, too centered, or repeat across multiple beads.

6. UV light

Under ultraviolet light, natural Baltic amber fluoresces a soft blue or green. Most plastics and glass do not react the same way. This is a favorite check among collectors.

7. Buy from a documented source

The most reliable test of all is provenance. Reputable sellers can tell you where the amber was sourced and how it was worked. At Cekin Amber, every piece is authentic Baltic amber worked in Gdynia on Poland's Baltic coast — see our collection or reach out with questions.

A note of caution

Never do a "burn test" on jewelry you intend to keep — it damages the surface. The float, warmth, static, and UV tests above are safe and, taken together, are more than enough to spot an imitation with confidence.