Are Synthetic Amber Stem Materials Electrostatic?

[doctorbob]

Title says it all. Rubbed a stem with silk that I suspect MIGHT be amber, it definitely picked up a charge and attracted human hair. It also has a small conchoidal fracture. Any other identification tips.
Doc

 

[doctorbob]

I still don't know about electrostatic potential of amberite or other stem materials (besides vulcanite), but it turns out you can just take a stem into a good jeweler and they can tell you (if it is within their skill set) if it is amber. Turns out my stem IS amber.
doc

 

[pipestud]

Doc,
I use that test whenever I get in pipes to sell with "Amber" stems. I've never seen a non-amber stem that is electrostatic and after doing a Google search the various info pages indicate the same. So, if its on the Internet it must be true, right? :wink:

 

[Chasing Embers]

I didn't know about that test, and just tried it on one of mine. That's pretty cool.

 

[doctorbob]

Wool works better with amber, but I only had a necktie at hand yesterday.
doc

 

[woodsroad]

Another way to tell if a stem is amber is to drop it. I've done this. It worked.

 

[doctorbob]

"Another way to tell if a stem is amber is to drop it. I've done this. It worked."
Oof.

 

[woodsroad]

Uh huh.

 

[jpmcwjr]

Could all the King's horses and all the King's men put it back together again??
Another ouch.....

 

[woodsroad]

As far as I know, amber can not be repaired. Please tell me I'm wrong!