Not only was it okay, it was standard practice around the world. That's why you should never put a piece of amber in your pocket if you find it on some German or Danish beach. There were tons of white phosphorus dumbed into the sea after WWII because they needed to get rid of it and it looks kind of like amber when it washes ashore. Then it dries out in your pocket and sets you on fire, giving awful burns. Always store any found amber in fireproof containers until you can make sure it's the real deal.