amber

[Evan Martin]

where can I find true amber I saw a knifemaker around here and he showed me a bead of amber. Now I have found some fake stuff at texas knife supply

 

[bikermikearchery]

Use your favorite search engine and look up "Gem shows and your state" You'll find a lot of material to use. I bought unpolished Baltic amber for around a buck a gram.

 

[raythebigfoot]

Texas knife supply has the fake amber, but I believe also has the real stuff. Ok just searched online but could not find the real amber beads on their website. In the catalog them have an alternative amber spacer (fake) and copal amber beads (real) on page 8. I don't really like how they have their website set up; the catalog is much easier to find stuff in. I would call them and ask.

 

[Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith]

Copal is the term for "uncured" amber. Copal beads are made from beach amber that is soft and sticky. It is cleaned up, and pressed into those big beads, then heat cured. It is more properly termed re-processed amber, but it does not really matter what you call it. It works well for knife purposes. Real amber can be expensive, and has an entirely different look and workability than copal.
Stacy

 

[Karl B. Andersen]

Here's a good reference:
http://www.emporia.edu/earthsci/amber/amber.htm

 

[raythebigfoot]

Copal is the term for "uncured" amber. Copal beads are made from beach amber that is soft and sticky. It is cleaned up, and pressed into those big beads, then heat cured. It is more properly termed re-processed amber, but it does not really matter what you call it. It works well for knife purposes. Real amber can be expensive, and has an entirely different look and workability than copal.
Stacy

Thanks for clearing that up; I had been told that they were the real thing! They do look very pretty when finished.