Amber, Coral, and Jet

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Questions and Answers

What is the Italian name for oxblood coral?

salmon

arciscuro

pelle d’angelo

rosso scuro (correct)

What is Abalone Shell also known as?

Akabar coral

Ammolite

Korite

Paua (correct)

What is a common artificial imitator of Amber?

Casein

Glass

Bakelite (correct)

Epoxy

What is a common imitation material for Coral?

Glass Signup and view all the answers

What is a type of coral that lacks the wood-grain-like structure lines of natural coral?

Gilson imitation coral Signup and view all the answers

Where is the main source of jet?

England Signup and view all the answers

Which country is also a major source of jet besides England?

Canada Signup and view all the answers

What is the closest association with jet in England?

Whitby Signup and view all the answers

What is Jet mostly used for in the late Victorian era?

Mourning jewelry Signup and view all the answers

Which type of obsidian is characterized by a golden or silver sheen?

Sheen obsidian Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary source of Amber in the world?

Baltic Sea region of Europe Signup and view all the answers

What is Sphene typically cut into to emphasize its fire?

Brilliant-cut Signup and view all the answers

Where is Golden Coral primarily found?

Hawaii and Tasmania, Australia Signup and view all the answers

What is Jet composed of?

Lignite coal that formed when wooden logs washed out to sea and sank into mud on the sea floor Signup and view all the answers

How is Jet formed?

When wooden logs wash out to sea and sink into mud on the sea floor, becoming impregnated with oil from algae and plankton as they decay Signup and view all the answers

What type of coal is Jet?

Lignite coal Signup and view all the answers

What is the process that creates Jet?

Impregnation with oil from algae and plankton Signup and view all the answers

What type of coal is often used as a substitute for jet?

Cannel Signup and view all the answers

What is Vulcanite, which is often used to imitate jet?

A hard, vulcanized rubber Signup and view all the answers

What is another material often used to imitate jet?

Dyed black chalcedony Signup and view all the answers

What is another type of material used to imitate jet?

Various plastics Signup and view all the answers

What is obsidian often used to imitate?

Jet Signup and view all the answers

What is the characteristic of Jet in terms of its polish luster?

Resinous to waxy Signup and view all the answers

What is the typical color range of Tortoise Shell?

Dark amber with brown or black streaks Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary color of Apatite?

Neon blue Signup and view all the answers

What is the typical color range of Kyanite?

Light to dark blue to green Signup and view all the answers

What is the characteristic of Benitoite in terms of its pleochroism?

Strong blue and colorless Signup and view all the answers

What is the typical color range of Moldavite?

Medium to dark yellowish to grayish green Signup and view all the answers

What is the characteristic of Fluorite in terms of its transparency?

transparent to translucent Signup and view all the answers

What is the characteristic of Ammonite in terms of its color?

Iridescent flashes of red, green, orange, and purple Signup and view all the answers

What is the typical polish luster of Jet?

Resinous to waxy Signup and view all the answers

What is the characteristic of Benitoite in terms of its zoning?

Zoned with blue, green, or colorless bands Signup and view all the answers

What is 'Paris jet' actually made of?

Man-made glass Signup and view all the answers

Which characteristic is unique to Amber?

Flower parts and insects inclusions Signup and view all the answers

Which material is often etched with acid?

Moldavite Signup and view all the answers

What is a common use for Obsidian in prehistoric times?

Spear points, knives, and tools Signup and view all the answers

What is the name of the massive crystalline variety of fluorite other then Blue John?

Derbyshire spar Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Trades Names and Synonyms

Coral: "oxblood" in English, "rosso scuro" or "arciscuro" in Italian, "pelle d'angelo" for pink coral, and "salmon" for vivid pink coral
Conchiolin coral: also known as "King" or "Akabar coral" or "Horn Coral"
Abalone Shell: also known as "paua" in Maori
Ammonite: also marketed as "ammolite" and "korite"

Main Sources and Locations

Amber: Baltic Sea region of Europe, Dominican Republic, Germany, Lithuania, Poland, Russia, Denmark, Mexico, Alaska, and Myanmar's Kachin State
Coral: Mediterranean Sea, Japan, Malaysia, Philippines, Taiwan, and Queensland, Australia
Conchiolin coral: Queensland, Australia, and Hawaii, USA
Ammonite: Canada, England, Morocco, and the USA
Tortoise Shell: Atlantic hawksbill sea turtle, found in tropical and subtropical seas worldwide
Jet: England, Canada, France, Germany, Spain, and the USA
Apatite: Madagascar, Brazil, Mexico, Myanmar, and the USA
Benitoite: San Benito County, California, USA
Fluorite: China, England, Switzerland, and the USA
Kyanite: Brazil, India, Kenya, Myanmar, Pakistan, Switzerland, the USA, and Russia
Moldavite: Western Moravia, Germany
Sphene: Austria, Brazil, Canada, France, Madagascar, Mexico, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Switzerland, the USA, and Russia

Common Imitations and Treatments

Amber: Copal, Bakelite, Casein, epoxy, glass, and polyester are common imitations
Coral: Glass, porcelain, and various plastics are common imitations, Gilson imitation coral, and corozo nuts are stained to mimic Mediterranean coral
Tortoise Shell: Celluloid, casein, and Bakelite plastics are common imitations
Ivory: Celluloid, plastics, and fine plaster of Paris are common imitations, bleached and dyed to give an antique appearance
Shells: Molded glass and plastic are common imitations
Jet: Cannel and anthracite, Vulcanite, glass, obsidian, and plastics are common imitations

Common Cuts and Jewelry

Amber: Cabochon, beads, and carvings
Coral: Beads, cabochons, carvings, and cameos
Tortoise Shell: Inlaid pieces with gold, silver, or mother-of-pearl in floral and geometric patterns
Ivory: Carvings, cabochons, beads, and bangle bracelets
Ammonite: Cabochons, free forms, tablets, ovals, and squares
Jet: Beads, buttons, carvings, faceted pieces, and cabochons
Benitoite: Strong but rare, mostly set in high-end jewelry
Fluorite: Beads and carvings, mounted crystals for "new age" pendants
Kyanite: Faceted into brilliant and step cuts in a variety of sizes
Moldavite: Faceted into brilliant and step cuts in a variety of sizes, or set as natural uncut pieces
Sphene: Cut brilliant-cut and mixed-cut styles to emphasize its fire

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Description

Test your knowledge about various materials used to imitate ivory, including celluloid, bones, deer horn, and vegetable-source ivory. Learn to identify the differences between these materials and the real thing. Discover the unique characteristics of each ivory imitator.