Amber Buying Guide

[PinkDiamond]

From the International Gem Society, here's an amber buying guide that will tell you about all the colors of amber, and what to watch out for in treatments, with some nice pics of the various colors, so I hope this is helpful to all who are looking to buy or cut some amber. There are lots of sub-links in the article that will give you more information, so use the link at the bottom for the full story.

Amber Buying Guide
by Addison Rice


Amber and citrine pendant in sterling silver and gold. © Caiazza Creations. Used with permission.

"One of the earliest known gems, amber’s bright sunshine hues delight and enthrall. Amber often symbolizes life, due to the insects and other organic remains frequently found within it. Made of hardened tree resin, this material usually shows yellow to orange or brown colors. In rare deposits, it can even fluoresce blue. Whether you’re looking for a string of beads or a faceted statement piece on your next amber buying trip, understanding this gem’s quality factors will help.

Amber Buying and the Four Cs

The IGS amber value listing has price guidelines for cabochons with or without insects as well as rare faceted pieces.

Color

Most amber is yellow to orange or brown. Deep yellow colors command higher prices.


A beautiful and bright cognac-colored Baltic amber ring. © Amber Design 8. Used with permission.

Natural cherry red pieces are very rare and sell at a premium. However, most red amber undergoes heat treatment to achieve this color. ... "
https://www.gemsociety.org/article/amber-buying-guide/

[OpalSpectrum]

sorry but I think that if you don't know amber no 'buying guide' will help you
also I don't agree about the types and value
for example 'cognac' amber is quite common and not expencive (generally)
they say : ''Highly transparent material is the most valuable. Opaque amber, on the other hand, is generally carved or even burned as incense.''
which is not true > good quality opaque amber usually cost more to common transparent type.
most valuable types of baltic ambers are opaque amber with good quality butterscotch or egg yolk color - this type is used not only for carvings but in all types of jewelry and very big pieces (which are most expencive) are cut into beads and they make strings of the same color (bigger size beads - higher price)