[NHCOLL-L:1833] Conserving amber in mineral oil

[Janet Waddington]

Does anyone have any experience with conserving amber that has been stored in mineral oil?  We have several specimens, with insect inclusions, that have been in oil for several decades.  
Will the oil contribute to the physical degradation of the amber?
Is there any way to remove the oil from the amber?
Has anyone tried embedding specimens in bioplastic that have previously been stored in mineral oil? I suspect that the oil and the resin would be incompatible.
I'd be interested in hearing other people's experiences.
Thanks,
Janet

Janet Waddington
Palaeobiology
Royal Ontario Museum