How to Identify Baltic Amber and Avoid White Phosphorus

Amber is light, warm to the touch and glows under UV light. The most dangerous mistake is white phosphorus from old munitions, which looks similar.

Field tests

• Salt water. In strongly salted water, amber floats. Most stones and glass sink.
• UV torch. Amber glows yellowish-white or bluish under UV light.
• Warmth. Amber warms up quickly in your hand. A stone stays cold.
• Weight. Amber is clearly lighter than a stone of the same size.

For more on the torch test, see amber hunting with a UV light.

Phosphorus: the safety rule

White phosphorus from munitions residue turns up on Baltic beaches. It looks like pale, milky or yellowish amber. Once dry and warm, it can ignite by itself and cause deep burns.

• Do not put finds in your pocket.
• Keep them in a metal container filled with water.
• Do not heat a find to check its smell. That test is destructive and dangerous.

If you find a suspicious piece, leave it in the water where it is and call the emergency number, 112.