There is so much confusion around Copal Amber and Amber.  Copal is a very young amber that has not gone through the entire fossil process.  Copal usually comes from Columbia and is tree sap.  Yes, it is hard and often has insects inside, but it will craze, crack and it will melt.  Natural Amber will not craze, crack and will not melt.  Copal is very pretty and lots of jewelry is made from the beads or pendant pieces.   Natural Amber is harder to work with as it will chip and fracture.  I have heard some people describe Copal as plastic.  This is not true.  It is part of the resin fossil family.  If you take a cotton swab with denatured alcohol and swab Copal, it will become sticky.  When this is done to Natural Amber, it has no affect.  I have written this guide to help people when making their purchase on eBay.