Cleaning a vintage amber piece

Hi all I am back at estate auctions and got an amber stick pin. It
is very darkened and has a milky residue evenly all over. In fact I
am wondering if it is coated for stability and age has turned the
coating milky. In any case any suggestions on cleaning would be
appreciated. Since I am still learning didn’t want to damage it by
novice errors.

If it ends up as being trashed it is ok since it comes out to be a
.37 cent investment. :slight_smile: I am buying bulk to practice cleaning and
repair.

Teri
America’s Only Cameo Artist
www.cameoartist.com

    I am back at estate auctions and got an amber stick pin. It is
very darkened and has a milky residue evenly all over. In fact I am
wondering if it is coated for stability and age has turned the
coating milky. 

Hi Teri. It probably is not coated, amber may become milky with age.
Most milky amber is gently heated in oil to clarify it. The result is
often the discoid fractures, or “sun spangles” you may see in a lot
of amber. They are a dead giveaway of this treatment.

Then again, if only the surface is milky, it may be possible to
refinish it. Just use finer and finer grits of emery and finish up
by rubbing it on denim. Blue jeans can give amber a great final
polish.

James in SoFl