Applications of diamond crystal ATR FTIR spectroscopy to the characterization of ambers

Potential of ATR-FTIR Spectroscopy for the Classification of Natural Resins

“…This band broadens with resin degradation and oxidation, but the band maximum remains within this wavenumber region. Bands in the fingerprint region are characteristic for each particular resin and may be used to distinguish them (e.g., 879 cm -1 for true copal 16 or 725 cm -1 for myrrh).…”

Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy - Useful Analytical Tool for Non-Destructive Analysis

“…During recent years, analysts used mostly FTIR, mass spectrometry and pyrolysis-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry for the analytical study of geological or archaeological amber from different territories (Beck, 1972;1986;Boon et al, 1993;Lambert & Poinar, 2002;Shedrinski et al, 2004;Angelini & Bellintani, 2005;Guiliano et al, 2007;Pakutinskiene et al, 2007;Tonidandel et al, 2008;Teodor ED et al, 2009;Vîrgolici et al, 2010a). In 2005, Angelini and Bellintani reviewed the analytical techniques used for the differentiation of amber types, dedicating special attention to the most suitable methods for archaeological materials (non-destructive methods).…”

Analytical methods to differentiate Romanian amber and Baltic amber for archaeological applications

“…The best results are those obtained by APPI, indicating that the quantity of amber soluble components that can be photoionized decreases with increasing age, in agreement with the formation of highly stable, insoluble polymers. Guiliano et al [11], used diamond crystal ATR FTIR spectroscopy to distinguish amber from immature resins such as copal, to determine local or Baltic origin of archaeological ambers and to detect most of the falsifications encountered in amber commercialisation. A systematic characterisation of Baltic amber, performed by FTIR, X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy was recently reported by Pakutinskiene [12].…”