Synthetic Gemstones Amber1

Lab Grown Amber

Amber is a tree resin fossilized for long periods and is useful as a centerpiece for many decorative objects.

Natural amber continues to be a favorite for jewelers and artisans looking to work them into jewelry, beads, and many other pieces for adornment. But with increasing demand, it’s almost impossible to continue working gem pieces from amber sourced from nature alone.

That’s why science came up with methods to ‘create’ amber resins in labs with similar properties and some superior features to natural gems.

In this article, we’ll be looking at lab-grown amber, its history, uses, maintenance tips, and much more.

History of Lab-Grown Amber

Records of amber date to the 4th century BC in ancient Greece. Amber also features throughout history in India, Egypt, Syria, and many other locations worldwide. The resin is available in large deposits across regions and featured in architectural pieces, was useful as healing tools and much more in different areas.

However, the demand for amber might be hard to fulfil without a proven synthetic method to mass-produce the resin. Lab-made amber became a common feature in the jewelry market from the mid-twentieth century after proven synthesis methods became widely accepted.

How is Lab-Grown Amber Made?

Natural amber forms from resins discharged from pine genus trees trapped underground for thousands of years. Several records exist of amber being in wide use for whorls, gemstones, and much more.
Scientists create lab-grown amber by replicating the natural process in a controlled environment. The synthetic method is in wide use and can produce different variants with similar or superior elements than natural amber.

Uses of Lab-Grown Amber

Lab-grown amber is useful as centerpieces on jewelry, loose gemstones for exhibition, adornments on art pieces, and much more.

Chemical Properties of Lab-Grown Amber

• Main element(s) formula: A mix of radical polymers in the labdane family, most commonly diterpenes (C20H32) and popular trienes
• Typical colors: Yellow, orange, light brown
• Cleavage: Fair
• Fracture: Irregular, commonly crystalline
• Mohs scale hardness: 2.0 – 2.5
• Melting point: 200–300°C (many variants form ‘oil of amber’ after heating to over melting point)
• Luster: Vitreous
• Common streaks: Light brown
• Diaphaneity: Translucent to opaque
• Specific gravity: 1.06 – 1.10
• Refractive index: 1.555 – 1.6

Maintenance Tips for Lab Amber

You can maintain your lab-grown amber with:

Proper storage – Store gem pieces in airtight boxes to prevent contact with dirt or oils. Keeping gem pieces like amber away from humidity, direct sunlight, etc. prolongs its appearance and retains its surface shine.

Steam cleaners – Gently clean off steam from a cleaner with soft cotton cloth or toilet paper; allow to air-dry and don’t use any concentrated chemicals to clean its surface
Ensure the jewelry cleaner you choose has no harsh elements like ammonia in its composition. Some elements might cause irreversible damage to amber and cause them to lose their brilliance and glitter.

Ensure you consult a qualified jeweler before selecting any maintenance method for your amber. Some amber variants react to elements in some jewelry cleaners that may affect their surface shine or internal structure.

Working with an experienced jeweler ensures your amber gets the right maintenance to stay shiny for much longer.