WHAT IS AMBER?

Manawatu Times, Volume LV, Issue 6918, 23 July 1932, Page 5

WHAT IS AMBER?

COO,OOO 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 Leads sold as “real Chinese amber.” Twenty-four heads were bought for G/- (3d each). It was stated that had they been of amber they would be worth 5/- 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.” lie produced several pieces of amber, and one piece, be said, contained insects which arc extinct. “The • Chinese,” lie 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 be 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. Wc only sell by name material we buy by that name. We don’t wish to defraud anyone.” The magistrate reserved his decision.