Each piece of amber is unique – they differ when it comes to internal pressure and speed of oxidation, etc. When the surface is being treated, the ambers' individual differences have much to say. Do not consistently embed Cretaceous amber because of its generally fragility, and neither consistently refuse to embed because you are afraid of the long-term effects. You have to consider the individual piece and assess what it needs in order to be preserved best for the future generations.
I have worked much with the different methods and tried to find the best way to keep my entire collection. Below I will mention some different methods and my experiences within.
The amber is best preserved in relatively constant anoxic conditions possible in closed bags or containers and placed in a dark place where the temperature does not change.
1. method: add a permanent new, protective surface to the amber.
Lacquering. You should be aware that a lacquering can change color over time, become cloudy and possible. hamper photography of inclusion. But the benefits of lacquering is an immediately secure protection. In addition, the surface can also quickly sanded away, and preserved in a new way.
Embedding. Perfect for unstable pieces (eg. Cretaceous amber), but you should be aware that a the new surface will, in some cases, decay, harden and "press" the amber over time and, in some causes, destroy the amber.
A description of the method will come soon...
Baltic amber (45 myo) - Cantharidae 18 mm
Click on the picture to enlarge
- Embedding the amber in plastic - epoxy, polyester ect.
A description of the method will come soon...
Above is three pieces New Jersey amber (90-94 myo) a piece with a female aphids, a cockroach and a wasp. Below is 6 holotyps from the Zoological Museum in Copenhagen collection of Baltic amber