About ten years ago, my Dad brought me a small trinket box full of loose amber from one of his trips to South America. There are about 50 stones with small holes for stringing onto a necklace.

Anyone have any ideas about what to do with these pieces? I'm not all that crafty and don't want to make something that is going to devalue the amber (some pieces have the "bug thingys"), but I want to have them made into something special.

Should I take them to a jeweler?

Just looking for some fresh ideas about what to do with these stones.

Thanks in advance! :)

I would take a quick look at Ebay, see what's available.
Amber is actually Tree Sap.It is cool stuff. People even make Fake Amber, this sounds like the good stuff.
Edit.
Just got back from eBay, they have many pages of amber to give a good idea, here's one:
amber, Fossils, Mineral Specimens items on eBay.com (http://collectibles.search.ebay.com/amber_Rocks-Fossils-Minerals_W0QQfromZR34QQsacatZ3213)

Thanks - great idea! I'll check it out...

Wondering if my best bet is to find out if its "the good stuff" before I do anything with it. Since it came from South America and my Dad didn't normally buy the "cheap stuff," I'm pretty sure its going to be a nice piece when its finished.

Again, thanks! :)

I love amber, no two pieces alike. I have several stones mounted in silver, earrings, rings, bracelets, etc. Here is a simple test to find out if your amber is authentic:

Amber is buoyant in salt water. That's why it is easy for locals on the Baltic Coast to find it washed up on beaches, especially after storm events. The amber gets stirred up from a layer known as blue earth, which is beneath layers of silt and clay on the ocean floor. To do this test, mix about 1 part salt to 2 parts water and dissolve the salt completely. Drop your piece into the mixture. Plastic and copal will drop out, while amber floats

I believe their was a test with heat and a needle, I forget Procedure.

Thank you, tickle! I will try this tonight.

Amber is one of my favorite as well, but these are even more special because my Dad gave them to me. I had forgotten about them for years and only found them recently.

Thanks! :)

https://shop.therainforestsite.com/store/product/image/7082.gif
Pretty Good Goods Catalog - Amber Jewelry (http://www.prettygoodgoods.org/product/show/5003)
Amber jewelry ~ amber rings, amber earrings, amber pendants, amber neckl ~ MyRing.com.au (http://myring.com.au/index.php?cPath=21_193)

You might like to look at these sites for jewelry design ideas.:)

EDIT::::

Jewelry Making - How To Information | eHow.com (http://www.ehow.com/articles_4107-jewelry-making-.html)
How To Create A Memory Pin | eHow.com (http://www.ehow.com/how_2176604_memory-pin.html)
Loved the memory pin idea,I think it will suit your need to remember your Dad and make a beautiful piece.


Amberworld.lt (http://www.amberworld.lt/index.php?show=flash&uid=2)

That memory pin is a beautiful idea! Wow... thank you, firmb!

:)

I'm not sure how much Amber you have, Maybe you could make a room, Here's one to go by:
Amber Room (http://www.amberroom.org/index-english.htm)
Click on pictures

I'm not sure how much Amber you have, Maybe you could make a room, Here's one to go by:
Amber Room (http://www.amberroom.org/index-english.htm)
Click on pictures

Wow... I wish! :) Not quite that much...