Amber var: Burmite (8 piece set)

Item Description

"Burmite" is the name given to the rich reddish colored variety of Amber that was first reported from the Hukawng Valley in Myanmar. The distinctive aspect of this material is that it does not contain succinic acid like Baltic Amber, though succinic acid may not be an original component of amber, but rather a degradation product of abietic acid. Here we have a 8 piece set of pre-formed "Burmite" boules (in preparation to be used in jewelry) ranging from 8.9 x 1.5 x 1.4 cm down to 2.0 x 1.5 x 1.5 cm. All of the piece are rather gemmy when backlit, and range in color from a rich orange-red to a lighter almost "milky" amber hue. A wonderful set of this seldom seen material. The entire set weighs 86.8 grams total. These are RARE on the market, and quite valuable and sought after I'm told, since very little has come out in many years. If you're a fan of Amber, don't pass this set up as you may never get another chance to get anything of this size and quality from Myanmar again. Mining has almost been completely shut down throughout Myanmar due to civil unrest and the global pandemic, and what little is coming out is priced much higher than it was in the past, so the days of "Old Burma" might be behind us in terms of the price of minerals/gems. This set is from the collection of Bill ("Burma Bill") Larson of Fallbrook, California. Bill is a well-known gem and mineral dealer as well as a miner and collector. Bill traveled the world for decades in search of fine gems and minerals, and was directly involved in the in-person acquisition and importation of superb specimens and stones from Myanmar (Burma). You can read his biography at https://mineralogicalrecord.com/biographies_labels/larsonwilliam-f/