Valuing Old Amber with Insects: What's the Worth?

Question
I have a piece of amber that is 8 and 1/2 pounds.  Yes it is that big.  It does have 'critters' in it, but I am not sure what.  It is very old.  I am looking for a way to find its value if it has any.  I do have pictures, but I can not figure out how to attach then to this e-mail.  Thank you sincerrely, Susan Haneline

Answer
HI SUSAN,

YOUR AMBER SOUNDS INTRIGUING. THERE IS NO WAY I COULD GIVE YOU AN ACCURATE GUESS AS TO THE VALUE. I WOULD HAVE TO EXAMINE IT AND TEST IT. AMBER CAN RANGE IN VALUE FROM EXTREMELY VALUABLE TO ALMOST WORTHLESS. THE SIZE OF THIS PIECE ALONE WOULD QUALIFY IT FOR A SPECIMEN (COLLECTORS) PIECE. I'M AFRAID PHOTOS WON'T DO EITHER, THE QUALITIES I MUST SEE ARE MANY AND VARIED. THE FACT THAT IT HAS 'CRITTERS' IN IT DOES MEAN THERE IS PROOF OF NATURAL AND COULD MEAN A HIGHER VALUE. THE BEST THING TO DO IS CONTACT SOME IMPORTERS/WHOLESALERS OF AMBER TO GET AN IDEA OF VALUE. THEN IF YOU COULD HAVE SOMEONE IN THE FIELD GIVE YOU A LETTER OF OPINION OF VALUE. OF COURSE THE VALUE INCREASES IF IT IS CUT FOR JEWELRY IN LARGE SIZES AND NOT IN THE ROUGH. GOOD LUCK.

THANKS

PETER