Isn't amber and amber jewelry just gorgeous? Take a look at these Flickr pictures 

If you'd like to purchase these kinds of amber and sterling silver necklaces, pendants, rings and earrings, then visit Fish Of Paradise - online amber boutique. There still may be some available, but they really go fast like hotcakes!

Bumble - green amber ring by Somma

Amber Moon pendant by st.clair2805

Green amber pendant by st.clair2805

Amber ship by Wichern16

Amber Room by calbillstravnstuff

Fossil frog in Baltic amber by thomasina

Baltic ambers by FotoBlu

Flies in Baltic amber

Amber schnaps by ballfresno

What is amber - a gemstone, mineral or something else? How old is it? Can I get it for free? 

Amber can't be considered to be a mineral, because it has organic origin and a non-crystal structure. In fact, its structure is non-monolithic - it consists of three basic elements - carbon, oxygen and hydrogen. Although it looks like a stone, it is a resin and although it's being used to make the most beautiful, simply stunning pieces of jewelry, it is not a gemstone! Disappointed? You shouldn't be, as amber has many properties that the true gemstones don't have!

Amber is a fossilized tree resin from ancient forest - it can be as old as 50-90 million years! It has, though, a stoney appearance and has such great workability that it has led many people to believe that it is a gemstone.

Amber has been traded since earliest times and was considered a mystic and religious material. Over the "amber routes" it was distributed throughout Europe and all of the known ancient world. Already the Phoenicians traded amber as a prime commodity with the ancient Baltic peoples. Since about 3000 B.C., Baltic amber was exchanged for goods from southern Europe.

For thousands of years amber was regarded as a precious substance, and for its mysterious origin considered as a divine protection from harm to the bearer of amber jewelry. As such, it also became to be used as an ingredient in medicines and for religious purposes by both pagans and Christians. Around 58 A.D., the (un)famous Roman Emperor Nero sent a Roman knight on a search for this "Gold of the North" and brought hundreds of pounds of amber to Rome.

In later days, from 1283 on the Teutonic Knights, after returning from the crusades, became absolute rulers of Prussia and the Baltic sources of amber, and of the manufacture of objects made of amber. They were forbidding its unauthorised collection from beaches on the Baltic coastline under their jurisdiction, and punishing breakers of this ordinance with death.

But imagine that you could get it for free! Just make a trip to one of tiny but fascinating Baltic republics, or to Poland and you maybe lucky to find it... Yes, it is still possible these days to find amber on the beach on the southern Baltic Sea coastline (see the picture above, by themactep from Flickr) or to fish for it with a net - like it has been done for many centuries. At the present time extensive mining operations are conducted in quest of amber - mainly in the Kaliningrad region.

Amber colors 

One of the most fascinating properties of amber are its colors. There are between 250 and 300 colors and shades of amber, which makes it a great jewelry raw material. The picture shows a copy of an old Baltic yacht made with amber of many colors (by hash7ish from Flickr).

The translucency and colors of amber depend on the amount of micro air bubbles contained within a given piece, and their distribution. Here is how the most popular amber's color varieties were created by the nature:

· translucent amber - contains large concentrations of air bubbles producing a cloud appearance.

· transparent amber - doesn't contain any air bubbles or only single ones measuring 0.5-2.0 millimeters in diameter.

· opaque-yellow amber - contains significant amount of air bubbles - up to 25,000 per square millimeter. Its colors and shades range from yellow to beige.

· opaque-white amber - has large amount of air bubbles - up to 900,000 per square millimeter that look like a solid foam. Colors - from white to blue.

· earth amber - contains numerous air bubbles that were created during the decaying process. Often contains plant and animal inclusions. Colors - brown or greenish.

· sugar-crystal amber - its internal structure changed as a result of changes in humidity, light levels and weathering process. It often has cracks or coarse (uneven) surface and colors changed over time - from yellow to red or orange and from white to yellow.

Among the most valued varieties of amber are those that have blue, green and black colors. Blue amber contains pyrite; black amber - large amounts of soil. Green amber is most common among these three and contains small particles of plants.

Some pieces of amber have a unique combination of a number of colors, shades and patterns - such as marble or mosaic, giving the jeweler an opportunity to create the most stunning jewelry items by combining them wi

Dominican amber - quite different from Baltic amber, but it's still real amber... 

The amber from the Dominican Republic (see the picture of blue amber from Blue Amber Newsletter) is not as old as the Baltic, but has much more fossil inclusions of plants and small animals and because of that it is highly appreciated by the jewelry collectors and the scientists. Most famous Dominican amber variety has a blue glow.

Dominican amber is different from Baltic amber by being nearly always transparent, and it has the higher number of fossil inclusions. It is also the youngest amber found: from Oligocene to Miocene, only 10 to 30 million years old while the Baltic amber is up to 60 million years old.

Dominican amber can be found in many colors, including not only typical amber (yellowish), but also red, green, orange and even blue.

Blue amber is believed to have its rare properties thanks to the occurrence of volcanic ash or dust which was present when the resin was first pressed out from Hymenaea protera millions of years ago. Another explanation is that due to volcanic activity hot lava must have flown over those areas where regular amber was buried under ground. Due to the extreme heat, the amber changed its color first to green and then to blue.

Under artificial light, the blue amber appears like ordinary amber, but under sunlight it has an intense fluorecent blue glow. When held against the sun it will appear like ordinary amber, and under ultraviolet light it will glow a bright milky-blue.

Another interesting property of blue amber is that it emits a nice smell - different from regular amber - when it is being cut and polished.

Amber inclusions 

Some of the most fascinating amber pieces contain not only beautifully preserved plant-structures, but also remains of insects, spiders and other small organisms which became enveloped while the exudation was fluid. Even leaves, flowers, fruits, hair and feathers have occasionally been represented among the inclusions.

Enclosures of pyrites may give a bluish colour to amber (see the Dominican amber).

Medicinal and astrological properties and uses of amber 

Pliny, the Elder - the famous Roman author - catalogued many of the medical or remedial uses of amber. For example, he wrote that when worn around the throat, amber had excellent effects on the diseases of the throat and tonsils. Because it was said to attract flame (especially golden-colored), it was worn on the neck as a cure for fevers. Powdered amber, mixed with honey and oil of roses was used to cure dimness of vision and as a cure for the diseases of the stomach.

The picture made at the Palanga Amber Museum, shows various amber medicines. Click here to see the full-size photo. And see above the bottle of amber schnapps - a German-style alcoholic drink made with amber!

The oil of amber - oleum succini - was used for years as a cure for various afflictions. It is said to relieve inflammation and pain in joints, especially in some forms of gout and rheumatism. It was also used as a remedy for cases of asthma, whooping-cough, hysteria, bronchitis, and infantile convulsions.

Amber has been used to make the mouth-piece of pipes as well as cigar or cigarette holders because it was believed that it can prevent infection and that it has disinfectant abilities, including the ability to filter germs by sterilizing an area, especially during childbirth.

Although amber is beneficial when used on any part of the body, it is supposed to be especially effective on the brain, lungs, thyroid, spleen, endocrine system, inner ear and neurological tissue. It is believed to draw disease out of afflicted areas and neutralize negative energy. In harmony with the energies of the earth, it can provide stability, allowing the body to heal itself.

Its positive influence on the brain is supposed to help with depression and bring about a positive mental state; it also has been used as a memory aid.

Because of its soft warm feel, amber has an uplifting spiritual quality, and is believed to help one to be joyful and happy as it lightens the burdens of life. In astrology, it's a stone of twins as well as the birthstone of the Taurus and Leo Zodiac signs.

Taking care of amber jewelry 

Baltic amber is the hardest of ambers, but averages around 2.0-2.5 on Mohs hardness scale (diamond is the hardest material on earth it has hardness of 10) and is a relatively soft substance. It doesn't require a lot of care and taking care of it isn't complicated. Here is what you should do and should not do with amber:

- don't touch it with any sharp objects;
- when not wearing, keep amber jewelry away from light - in a jewelry box or cloth pouch;
- don't use ultrasonic cleaners or any solvents to clean it;
- while cleaning, do it gently with a soft cloth dipped in lukewarm water, and wipe with a dry soft cloth;
- if necessary, a tiny drop of olive oil may be used to restore luster;
- amber pieces can be polished with toothpaste. Take a piece of cotton and a dip of tothpaste and polish the piece until the amber starts to shine. Beewax and furniture or car politure will work also.

The picture shows the "amber tree" found in Gdansk, Poland - considered by many people to be the "amber capital of the world". Click here to see the full-size photo.

How to make your own amber jewelry 

Yes, you can create your own amber jewelry! Learn from Preston Reuther, the Master Wire Sculptor how to make your own amber jewelry by using the Master's Home Jewelry Business Package. You will be able to make beautiful pieces of amber jewelry for yourself, your family members and friends and even for sale! It's easy and Preston will tell and show you how to do it... He says wire jewelry business is very profitable - you can make over 2000% percent profit!

Interesting resources on amber 

PBS NOVA "Amber: Jewel of the Earth"

Hear a newly minted amber aficionado muse about reasons why a tiny insect trapped in fossil resin can be so captivating. In the excerpt from George Poinar's book The Amber Forest, trace a bee's journey from its brief life 20 million years ago down through the ages within a piece of fossil amber. In the slide show, view a diverse range of organisms that were caught forever in mid-pose. On the interactive map, locate the major sources of amber worldwide and learn what distinguishes each site from another.

American Museum of Natural History: Amber: Window to the Past

Find out about the past by looking at amber - great information and pictures of amber inclusions.

Amber Home

By Garry Platt - one of the best experts on amber. An older one, but often referred to source.

Amber - Discovering the lost world of the amber forests.

BBC Radio online article. You can listen here to the audio version.

Glow-In-The-Dark

Why blue amber is fluorescent?

Turning Blue

More interesting information about blue amber.

The World of Amber

By Susie Ward Aber, Emporia State University, Emporia, Kansas, USA - another amber classic.

Amber Room

Fascinating story about how this "Eighth Wonder of the World" was built, stolen by the Nazis and reconstructed.

Great Stuff on Amazon 

The Amber Forest: A Reconstruction of a Vanished World.

by George, Jr. Poinar, Roberta Poinar

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Amazon Price: $24.95 (as of 07/26/2008)
List Price: $24.95
Used Price: $9.88

In stock soon. Order now to get in line. First come, first served.

Amber

by Andrew Ross

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Amazon Price: $11.01 (as of 07/26/2008)
List Price: $12.95
Used Price: $5.88

Usually ships in 24 hours

Arthropods in Baltic Amber

by Jens-wilhelm Janzen

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Amazon Price: (as of 07/26/2008)
List Price: $175.00
Used Price: $238.59

Amber: Golden Gem of the Ages: Fourth Edition

by Patty, C. Rice

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Amazon Price: $28.99 (as of 07/26/2008)
List Price: $28.99
Used Price: $29.95

Usually ships in 24 hours

Amber: Window to the Past

by David A. Grimaldi

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Amazon Price: (as of 07/26/2008)
List Price: $24.95
Used Price: $16.57

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VegeSoup Excellent lens. 5-star for you. Warmest Regards, 7-Day Cabbage Soup Diet Posted July 17, 2008

ElizabethJeanAllen Beautiful jewelry! Amber is not as appreciated as much as it should be. 5* Lizzy Posted June 20, 2008

serramark71 whenever I hear the word "amber", America's song always comes to my mind, "Amber Cascades" and that song became a hit, too, in the 70s, no wonder. Amber sure is a natural wonder and making them as jewelries takes out the natural beauty in them! I think I would like to take one to give to my lovely wife as a gift! Thank you for such a wonderful idea for another great gift item. You might also try to take a look at a site where you can purchase uniquely-designed personal checks at half the price. My wife bought her own personalized designer checks and she saved around 50% as compared to what she's been getting from her bank! I'm sure you will love it, too! Posted June 19, 2008

catchild Fabulous lens. I love amber and found all your information fascinating. Posted May 28, 2008

Wilson_C These are really beautiful. It would make a GREAT Mothers Day gift...5 Stars Posted May 10, 2008

 

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