Beware of Fake Amber

Since the bakelite and plastic era began early this century, there has been a number of fake amber qualities in the commercial market. Bakelite necklaces were sold in Europe in the early twenties, when amber was in fashion. In the markets in Morocco, North and East Africa, as well as in the Middle East and India, amber colored plastic necklaces are very common. They are often sold as antique trade beads. Sometimes they are old, very beautiful, large egg-yolk colored strands, but they are still plastic, and tend to be heavier than amber. Copal, Glass, Celluloid, Phenolic resin have been used as Amber substitutes over the decades.
Since the "Jurassic Park" movie, fortune hunters from all over the world have tried to create attractive plastic-imitations with inclusions, sold as true amber. Sometimes even mammalian hair and feathers are skillfully baked in.
It's not really difficult to tell real amber from fake plastic or copal.  You can try just a few simple tests:

"Rubbing Test" - It is easy to distinguish glass from amber: it is more solid; it cannot be scratched by metal. Glass is cold and fireproof.If you have strong hands, rub the fake amber into the hands until it releases the smell of pine- tree resins.
"Smell Test" - Smell tests are the most effective because natural amber has a specific smell, which is difficult to obtain when producing falsifications. Amber smells sweet, piney and pleasant when burnt, the very reason it has been used for centuries. Amber does not melt.  It will burn away like incense.  Copal will melt, as will plastic as incense.
"Salt water Test" - Amber and copal will float in a saturated salt solution. Place 284ml (half a pint) of water into a container, pour in approx 40g of table salt and stir. The solution will become cloudy. Let the solution stand for a few minutes stirring occasionally and it should start clearing as the salt dissolves. Because the salt solution has a higher specific gravity than amber or copal, these substances will float. Glass, phenolic resin, and celluloid will sink. Thoroughly wash the piece in clean water afterwards. This test is of no use for amber jewellery with metal clasps or other adornments, as the weight of the metal will make the amber sink.
"Alcohol Test" - This test can be used to distinguish Amber from Copal. Place a drop of either Isopropanol or Ethanol on a polished surface of the piece and allow it to evaporate. Alcohol will react with copal, leaving a sticky surface, whereas the surface of genuine amber will be unaffected. Synthetic materials and glass will also not cause a reaction.