Amber Gemstone

50 Million Years Old!

Is it the sweeter-than-honey color of Amber gemstone, one of the oldest gems known to man, that renders Amber forever irresistible?

After-all, ancient amber specimens have been tested to be older than 100 million years! Read about the world's oldest spider-web, encased forever in Amber that formed 140 million years ago!

Amber not only delights the eye, but uplifts the other senses and is believed to protect and heal the wearer.

From Gemstone meanings and gemstone healing lore, we discover, Amber offers protection from types of radiation, (especially x-rays) the sun rays and computers. Asian and American Indians consider Amber gemstone to be sacred in comparison - primus inter pares, nulli scundus.

In Norse mythology, the magical Brisingamen necklace, was made from Amber and was said to have glittered like a constellation in the sky around the goddess, Freyja's neck. This famous Brisingamen necklace of amber, was the emblem of the fruits of the earth.

Together with Moonstone, Natural Pearls, Coral and Jet, Amber is classified as an Organic Gem, an exotic, in the list of gemstones.

Amber was a popular choice for Victorian jewelry in the 1890s -1917s.

Over 90% of the world's Amber is found in Russia on the Baltic Sea. More than 50 million years ago, trees, taller than the redwoods of today, grew along the shores of the Baltic Sea. As a result of glaciers, the trees were swept into the sea and there they solidified under ice and pressure.

Amber may include inclusions of insects, petals of flowers, seeds, and bark that have been locked inside thousands of years ago. Inclusions increase the value of Amber. Intact frogs, lizards, snake skins, bird feathers, hair and bones of mammals, various plant materials, and insects have all been preserved forever in Amber - a more than royal tomb!

There have been ancient specimens of fossilized amber, in which the DNA has been extracted from the fossilized organisms and then compared with that of its modern-day counterparts!

Wear Amber that doesn't cost the earth. Amber mining today, along with Gold mining (because of some of the harmful mining methods employed) can be detrimental to the environment. Over the past century more than 100 million tons of waste have been discharged into the Baltic Sea from the Palmnicken (Yantarny) mine. The insoluble toxic waste product causes high turbidity, appearing as thick, cloudy matter, covering the surface of the Baltic Sea.

The Color of Amber Gemstone

What determines the sweeter-than-honey color of Amber? The color of amber, simply depends on the depth of water into which the tree originally fell. Amber is usually a yellow or light-yellow to honey color, but can also be many shades of brown and reddish browns, which is known as cherry amber. The more interesting pieces of amber generally contain a mixture of shades.

Amber gemstones can be translucent, opaque or a mix of both.

The paradox with amber, is its weight. Genuine amber, often looks a lot heavier than you expect. When you hold genuine Amber in your hand, you will be surprised how light it feels - a large, chunky Amber necklace can be worn with ease and comfort. That's one of amber gemstone's unusual qualities.

Amber Imitation

There's an abundant supply of counterfeit amber in the market-place, despite the fact that it is quite easy to identify.

Imitation Amber, also bearing fake inclusions has been produced for at least 600 years. Fresh resins, synthetic polystyrenes, bakelite, epoxy resins, celluloid, colored glass, plastics and polyesters have all been used to make imitation Amber.

Genuine Amber gemstone can be identified by:

Caring for Amber

Amber is a soft mineral on the Mohs Scale. To preserve the life of Amber, care for this gemstone in the same way you care for pearls...

Protect Amber, Pearl, Jade gemstone and Opal jewelry from perfume and hairspray. The chemicals in the spray can damage these gems.

A bath of warm water and gentle detergent is all that's needed to clean Amber gemstone jewelry.

Purchase amber jewelry from a trusted source. A good book on Amber will increase your knowledge of the subject and add to the pleasure you will experience wearing and collecting Amber Gemstone.

Reference:Cotterell, A., 1996, Classical Mythology, Lorenz Books, London.
Image of Amber & Pearl Necklace and three others Courtesy of Christie's

Return to the top of Amber Gemstone

Return to Gemstone Meanings

Return to Atique Jewelry Investor Home Page