Amber: The Past Preserved for the Present

In contrast to gemstones that are valued for their exterior view, amber is valued for its interior view. Amber can sometimes hold a view to life from the past. History cannot be ignored in amber that is adored.

Amber is tree resin that has sometimes captured living insects or plant materials and has been fossilized over time. Amber that has easily viewable inclusions, such as insects, is very much in demand. These transparent pieces of amber give us a window into the past which we should hold on to and preserve for the future.

Amber is soft, rating between 2.5 and 3.0 on the Mohs scale of hardness. Amber can be easily scratched, so care must be taken when wearing or cleaning it. Avoid heat, ultrasonic cleaners, abrasive surfaces or cleansers.

Amber can occur in several different colors. The most common colors range from light yellow to orange to light or dark brown. Red amber, also known as cherry amber, is not quite as common. Even more uncommon are green, white, or blue amber. Blue amber is rare and more expensive, and is found in the Dominican.

Amber has been found in Romania, Germany, Myanmar (Burma), Mexico, Canada, and Lebanon. Baltic amber has been located in Russia, Poland, Lithuania, Estonia, and Latvia. At times, Baltic amber has washed up on shores as far away as England. Most of the amber that is used for jewelry comes from the Baltic or the Dominican.

Amber is full of history, and amber jewelry has been around as far back as biblical times. Often worn by nobility, amber was not affordable to regular people for many centuries. Citizens of the Roman Empire called amber “gold of the north.” Ancient Romans and Greeks thought amber kept misfortune away. Egyptians believed amber would protect the dead in the afterlife. Amber amulets were placed near the deceased. The Egyptians also believed amber kept mummies from decaying, and pieces of amber have been discovered under the skin of many Egyptian mummies’ hands.

Amber is a unique gem that needs to be part of your collection. Find yourself a piece that contains life from the past, and live your life in peace for the future.

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