Amber or Amberoid?

[mycroftholmes]

Is it possible to determine if a stem is made from solid amber or amberoid without damaging the stem?

 

[Chasing Embers]

Is it possible to determine if a stem is made from solid amber or amberoid without damaging the stem?

"All you have to do is mix two cups of warm water with a quarter cup of salt in a bowl, then stir the mixture until the salt has completely dissolved. Once you have done this, place the piece of amber in the solution. If the piece of amber floats then it is indeed authentic amber."

 

[mso489]

I don't know much about these materials. Is amberoid reconstituted from amber powder, or how do the two relate. I think the float test is intriguing. I'm afraid all of my "amber" stems are acrylic.

 

[Searock Fan]

I also don't know much about amber, but.... I have a very old meerschaum with a genuine amber stem. It's a nice shape; straight stem egg and weights almost nothing. Good smoker. I have retired it because of the stem. I noticed that every time I smoked it I would get a tiny sliver of amber in my mouth. I guess it gets brittle from the dry smoke or something. Anyway, I really don't think amber makes all that good of a stem. Back in the past maybe, but not today.

 

[Chasing Embers]

I guess it gets brittle from the dry smoke or something.

Too much UV exposure probably.

 

[pipestud]

Is it possible to determine if a stem is made from solid amber or amberoid without damaging the stem?

Yes sir, it is easy and I learned this trick long ago from an old pipe smoker. Rub the stem like crazy and then put if up to the hair on your head. If the hair stands up and gravitates toward the stem, then it's amber.

You can Google how to tell the difference and there are all kinds of other ways.

 

[Jacob74]

^Bold of you to assume a pipe smoker has hair on their head. LOL

 

[pipestud]

^Bold of you to assume a pipe smoker has hair on their head. LOL

Good point Jacob... why do you think I wear a hat!

 

[saintpeter]

Yes sir, it is easy and I learned this trick long ago from an old pipe smoker. Rub the stem like crazy and then put if up to the hair on your head. If the hair stands up and gravitates toward the stem, then it's amber.

You can Google how to tell the difference and there are all kinds of other ways.

Touch your wife's nose with the stem after rubbing. If she doesn't hit you it is most likely acrylic. Lower end of the taser scale... (Just guessing here.)