Scientists Identify Fake Amber Through Light

IKBFU scientists develop a method for identifying fake amber using vibrational spectrography. The technique analyses how light interacts with a material, creating a unique “fingerprint” that reveals its chemical composition. The findings can be used as a benchmark for authenticating amber. The study was published in the journal Data in Brief.

Amber, fossilised tree resin, is used all around the world as a decorative material. Like any precious stones, amber is often faked with resins and plastic, which is hard to identify visually.

Scientists suggested authenticating amber through IR and Raman spectroscopy. When light of a certain wavelength is transmitted through a sample, its molecules interact with the radiation and begin to oscillate. A kind of “fingerprint” based on the strength and frequency of these oscillations is formed. From it, the structure of the material as well as its chemical composition can be determined.

The researchers took spectra of 15 amber and amber-like resins samples, originating from various locations worldwide and ranged in age from recently formed resins to those thousands of years old.

Since the amber samples came from many different regions, experts in the respective countries will be able to use the spectra obtained to authenticate amber.

Since the amber samples came from many different regions, experts in the respective countries will be able to use the spectra obtained to authenticate amber.