WHAT IS AMBER?

King Country Chronicle, Volume XXVI, Issue 3401, 2 August 1932, Page 8

WHAT IS AMBER?

600,000 YEARS OLD. Interesting facts about amber were mentioned recently at Marlborough Street, London, when Messrs. F. W. Woolworth and Co., Ltd., were summoned for applying a false trade description to beads sold as "real Chinese amber." Twenty-fcur beads were bought for 6s (3d each). It was stated that had they been of amber they would be worth 5s each. Dr. G. C. Williamson, of Guildford, author of "The Book of Amber," said: "Amber is a mineralised resin from an extinct tree, the conifer. Amber is a million years old. All amber is at least 600,000 years old. It is impossible to manufacture it." He produced several pieces of amber, and one piece, he said, contained insects which are extinct. "The Chinese," he said, "are expert in driving colour into actual amber, and they can change the yellow colour to other colours." Mr. John Yates, managing director of Beads, Ltd., said he should describe the beads as Chinese amber—it was a term of long standing.

Mr. E. R. Richardson (for Messrs. Woolworth) said: "We don't want it to go on. We only sell by name material we buy by that name. We don't wish to defraud anyone." The magistrate reserved his decision.