We now have limited quantities of African Copal from the Kinshasa area, Democratic Republic of the Congo. This is from "middle, western" Africa. It is light yellow and very clear.
The copal is truly beautiful. Some of the nicest that I have ever seen. It seems to be fairly hard and may take on a nice polish. This copal is colorful and clear. As you can see from the pictures, there are large pieces and there are small pieces. You can purchase smaller pieces from an inch (sometimes smaller) to a few inches in size or you can purchase the large chunks of resin. Just let us know.
This is a soft backed book on amber by Rafael Jie Chiang Wu. While I feel it is a bit expensive, IT IS GREAT! I am always looking for books with pictures in them. As an amber collector, I want to see other samples! If you have an interest in amber, this is a must have reference. This book has 645 color photographs. The book is 8.5 x 6 inches and 222 pages long.
CBS Morning (January 2024) show ran an interview with Joarla Caridad about larimar. Featured is Jorela Caridad and Jorge Caridad. Good short video to watch. 
Here is another post that is very interesting about Joarla Caridad
I love this one. Reminds me of Jurassic Park. This pendant holds a crane fly, Diptera, Tipulidae. Looks perfect......and it is. Made from pure silver (925).
Now this is cool: Scientists have exhumed the body of Gregory Mendell and are using it for DNA studies. Also DNA sequencing!
Jorge Caridad
Above: Picture of Doug Lundberg and Jorge Caridad in a fossil shop, Tucson, Arizona. Mr. Caridad is the owner of the Amber World Museum in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.
Picture above: Wolfgang Weitschat, Kazimieras Mizgiris and Doug Lundberg
Join the AMBER list:There now is a discussion group devoted to the study of amber. The intent of this discussion is public discourse on amber formation, types, general questions, almost anything that relates to amber. Also encouraged on this discussion group will be questions on jewelry making, and web sites about amber. The discussion group is not moderated. This means that all postings will go through without moderation (no one will censor them.) This is an international group, covering just about any country you can imagine (some of which I have never heard of!) Most people just watch and listen to the discussions that go on. You are encouraged to participate, but certainly do not need to. Click here Join the AMBER list This discussion group was formed and is maintained by Doug Lundberg. His e-mail address is lundberg@ambericawest.com. All questions about the discussion group should be directed to him. Short article in the International Amber Association's magazine "Bursztynisko, the AMBER MAGAZINE" |
Scientific American, February 2020, had a picture showing the land continents with major ‘discoveries’ (page 20). One arrow pointed to Brazil and under that, it said:
“Despite the long dry spells in Brazil’s Caatinga region, scientists found the tree Hymenaea cangaceira drizzles copious nectar from flowers to attract pollinating bats: a full-sized tree can release 240 gallons of the stuff, with 38 distinct scent compounds, over a single dry season.”
Here is the reason for this inclusion on this amber page. Hymenaea is the tree in New Zealand that produces copious amounts of resin that is called ‘kauri gum’. Not sure about this relationship, but if I am a betting person (I am), I would put money that there is a direct relationship between the flowers and resin production.
____________________________________
Article from Science News about "Spider moms have been caring for their young for a long time."
Amberica West sold the largest piece of amber in the world to the Amber Museum in Poland
(68 Kg - or -150 pounds):
A View from Amberica West
You can see Pikes Peak in the background and the
United States Air Force Academy somewhere near the middle.
