An amber teething necklace is a piece of jewelry made from Baltic amber beads that is worn by infants and toddlers who are teething. The idea behind these necklaces is that the warmth of the child’s body causes the amber beads to release a substance called succinic acid, which is believed to have pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory properties.
Advocates of amber teething necklaces claim that when the necklace is worn against the skin, succinic acid is absorbed into the bloodstream, providing relief from teething symptoms such as pain, inflammation, and irritability. However, it’s important to note that the scientific evidence supporting these claims is limited and controversial. There is a lack of rigorous scientific studies that conclusively demonstrate the effectiveness of amber teething necklaces for teething symptoms.
Additionally, there are concerns about the safety of using amber teething necklaces. The main safety concern is the risk of strangulation or choking. Since the necklace is worn around the neck, there is a possibility that it could become entangled or the child could put it in their mouth and choke on it. For this reason, many health organizations, including the American Academy of Pediatrics, advise against using teething necklaces of any kind.
If your child is experiencing teething discomfort, it is recommended to try safer alternatives such as teething rings made from silicone or rubber, which can be chilled in the refrigerator for soothing relief. It’s always a good idea to consult with your pediatrician or healthcare provider for guidance on managing teething symptoms in infants and toddlers.
How to Tell If Your Amber Teething Necklace Is Real?
To determine if an amber teething necklace is real, you can consider the following factors:
- Authenticity of the Amber: Genuine amber is fossilized tree resin and should exhibit certain characteristics:
- Look for natural imperfections: Real amber often contains tiny inclusions like bubbles, plant matter, or insects trapped inside. These imperfections are indicators of its natural origin.
- Check for clarity: Amber can range from clear to opaque, but it should not be perfectly transparent like glass or plastic.
- Assess color variations: Amber comes in various hues, including yellow, orange, brown, and sometimes green or blue. Be cautious of necklaces claiming to be made of rare or unusual colors like red or black, as these are usually treated or synthetic.
- Conduct a saltwater test: Mix a solution of 1 part salt and 2 parts water. Real amber will float in this solution due to its low density, while imitations like plastic or glass will sink.
- Source and Reputation: Purchase from reputable sellers or stores that specialize in amber products. Look for businesses that provide information about the sourcing and authenticity of their amber. Research customer reviews and ratings to assess their credibility.
- Price: Genuine amber is a precious material, so be cautious of extremely low-priced necklaces, as they are more likely to be imitations or low-quality substitutes.
- Weight and Temperature: Amber is relatively lightweight compared to glass or plastic. It should feel lighter when held in your hand. Additionally, when rubbed vigorously, real amber produces a mild, resinous smell and a slight static charge, attracting lightweight objects like small pieces of paper.
- String and Clasp: Examine the string or thread used to string the beads. It should be strong, durable, and securely knotted between each bead to prevent them from scattering if the necklace breaks. The clasp should be made of a safe material and designed to release easily to avoid choking hazards.
Remember that these methods provide some indication but are not foolproof. If you have concerns about the authenticity of an amber teething necklace, it’s advisable to consult with a professional jeweler or gemologist who can offer expert guidance and examination.
Other Methods:
Some individuals use These popular techniques to assess the authenticity of an amber teething necklace. However, it’s important to note that these tests are not foolproof and may not always provide accurate results.
Here’s a closer look at each of the methods you mentioned:
- Heat Test: The heat test involves exposing a small portion of the amber bead to heat from a lighter on low temperature. Genuine amber is resistant to heat and should not melt or produce a burning plastic smell. Instead, it may release a pleasant pine resin fragrance. However, it’s worth mentioning that subjecting amber to heat can potentially damage or alter its appearance, so it’s not a recommended method for authenticating amber.
- Alcohol Test: The alcohol test involves soaking the amber teething necklace in alcohol, such as nail polish remover or high-percentage ethyl alcohol. The idea is that genuine amber should remain hard and unaffected by the alcohol, while certain imitations like plastic or copal might become soft or sticky. However, this method is not always reliable since some imitations can resist the effects of alcohol.
- Saltwater Test: The saltwater test involves dropping an amber bead into a glass of saltwater. Since amber is lighter than water, it should float. However, this method is not conclusive as other materials like plastic or copal can also float. The weight difference between genuine amber and imitations may be noticeable in some cases, but it’s not a definitive test.
- Rubbing Test: The rubbing test involves rubbing the surface of the amber teething necklace with a soft cloth to generate static electricity. If the necklace becomes charged, it may attract small pieces of paper. However, this method alone cannot definitively determine the authenticity of amber. Some high-quality synthetic ambers may also exhibit static electricity, and copal, an immature form of amber, can behave similarly.
While these methods can be interesting to try, they are not scientifically validated or universally accepted as reliable means of identifying genuine amber. To ensure accuracy, it’s best to consult with professionals such as jewelers, gemologists, or experts in amber who can conduct more sophisticated tests and provide expert opinions on the authenticity of amber products.
Final Thoughts
The Baltic amber teething necklace has been tested and proven to work for babies with teething pain.
However, some unscrupulous sellers are mass, producing them for a quick buck without adding any value to the necklace.
To prevent you from falling victim to such fraudsters, we recommend you go with genuine and trusted brands, as their beads are 100% natural, authentic, and processed from high-quality amber.