Amber with Insects
Amber with insects is very rare
and sought-after. We have a great selection of Baltic Amber with
various insects, at prices specifically set for the beginning collector.
Each sample measures between 1/2" and 1 1/2", and clearly shows an
insect or spider. We have a general grade of the clarity of the insect:
Excellent: Body parts and legs can be clearly seen; few or no occlusions to block the view.
Good: Insect can be clearly seen; some body parts may by clumped or hidden by occlusions.
Fair: Insect can be seen but is not clear without a magnifier; some body parts may be missing.
Poor: Insect can be seen but may be faint or light-colored; heavy occlusions may be in the way of the view; insect may be missing body parts; body parts may be severely clumped; insect may be in an awkward position on the nugget.
How to Look at Fossil Amber
The best way to examine fossil amber is with a handheld pocket microscope with 30X magnification. We have found that this level of magnification is perfect for this particular task. Higher magnification tends to give a much more limited view.
If you do not have a pocket microscope, we recommend using a good magnifying glass. The best light in which to view amber is late afternoon sunlight. This light tends to penetrate the specimen better than sunlight from other times of day. Artificial light can be used as well, but it will not give as good of a view as late afternoon sunlight.
We do not recommend the use of a regular microscope. If you want a highly detailed view of the insect parts (such as the individual hairs on a leg), a regular microscope will work, but for simple viewing of the whole insect, typical microscopes have too narrow of a field of vision.
Excellent: Body parts and legs can be clearly seen; few or no occlusions to block the view.
Good: Insect can be clearly seen; some body parts may by clumped or hidden by occlusions.
Fair: Insect can be seen but is not clear without a magnifier; some body parts may be missing.
Poor: Insect can be seen but may be faint or light-colored; heavy occlusions may be in the way of the view; insect may be missing body parts; body parts may be severely clumped; insect may be in an awkward position on the nugget.
How to Look at Fossil Amber
The best way to examine fossil amber is with a handheld pocket microscope with 30X magnification. We have found that this level of magnification is perfect for this particular task. Higher magnification tends to give a much more limited view.
If you do not have a pocket microscope, we recommend using a good magnifying glass. The best light in which to view amber is late afternoon sunlight. This light tends to penetrate the specimen better than sunlight from other times of day. Artificial light can be used as well, but it will not give as good of a view as late afternoon sunlight.
We do not recommend the use of a regular microscope. If you want a highly detailed view of the insect parts (such as the individual hairs on a leg), a regular microscope will work, but for simple viewing of the whole insect, typical microscopes have too narrow of a field of vision.
