Amber: The gemstone amber information and pictures (2024)

FAQs

What are three facts about amber? ›

Amber is fossilized tree resin. Examples of it have been appreciated for its color and natural beauty since the Neolithic times, and worked as a gemstone since antiquity. Amber is used in jewelry and as a healing agent in folk medicine.

The two main sources of amber on the market today are the Baltic states and the Dominican Republic. Amber from the former is older, and thus preferred on the market, but that obtained from the latter is more likely to have insect inclusions. Amber prices can range from $20 to $40,000 or more.

The Romans called amber succinum, as it was rightly believed to be from tree sap. It was also used in the Neolithic times as an ornamental material. Amber was brought all the way to the Alps from the Baltic coast- a huge distance for those days, which gives us an idea of how important the stone was in that time.

Yellow amber has been used traditionally by natural healers to improve memory, increase mental flexibility and create balanced decision-making. Amber has also been used, historically, as a talisman for courage and self-confidence, and was thought to bring good luck to warriors in battle.

Its ability to produce static electricity has fascinated observers from the earliest times. Amber's magnetic property gave rise to the word electricity: amber (Greek, elektron) was used in the earliest experiments on electricity. Amber's natural properties inspired myth and legend and dictated its usage.

Blue amber.

This is the rarest shade of amber and the most valuable. Less and less bluish amber could be found, so this color became now almost extinct. Very rarely blue amber is found, probably just two pieces of a thousand.

Real amber has a distinctive and pleasant scent when heated. You can perform a simple at-home test by rubbing the amber vigorously between your hands until it becomes warm, and then bring it close to your nose. You should detect a faint, pine-like resinous smell, which is one of the hallmarks of genuine amber.

color. Generally, rich yellow is the most desired and valuable Amber, though relatively rare deep cherry red Amber also commands high prices. Green nuggets are rare and can be more costly.

Other precious stones, such as diamonds and emeralds, are also more valuable than amber. However, it is important to remember that value is relative. For example, while a single diamond may be worth more than an entire chunk of amber, the latter is actually the more valuable commodity by weight.

Everyone's familiar with AMBER Alert — the notifications sent out when a child is missing or kidnapped and in danger. But what many don't know is that the system was created because of 9-year-old Amber Hagerman, who was abducted while riding her bike in Arlington, Texas, in January 1996.

Is amber a rock or stone? ›

Amber is an organic gemstone made from tree resin, then preserved for millions of years and turned to stone. Most of the world's amber is mined in the regions on the coasts of the Baltic and North Seas. When mined in those regions, amber is sometimes called Baltic Gold. Amber is also mined in the Dominican Republic.

Amber is believed to align the body, spirit, and mind to encourage inner healing. This gemstone has a powerful ability to absorb all negative energy that comes your way to ensure you are surrounded by positive, life-giving energy that brings happiness and encourages an optimistic outlook on life.

Despite these mentioned precautions, we should point out that Amber Jewelry shouldn't be worn by children without adult supervision. Whenever a child is unsupervised (even during the night), we highly recommend removing all jewelry.

Yellow amber - helps to relax, rest, soothes pain. Especially useful for those who have problems communicating with others. It is one of the best healing stones. Suitable for all zodiac signs, but most of all Gemini, Cancer, Leo, Virgo, Aquarius.

November birthstone - Smoky Topaz / Citrine / Amber.

While some experts maintain that only material that is several million years old or older is sufficiently cross-linked and polymerized to be classified as amber, others opt for a date as recent as forty thousand years before the present. Much depends on the soil conditions of the resin's burial.

A: In theory Baltic amber, if cared for, could last forever. However it is also EXTREMELY old and brittle, and eventually beads will break. Also over time the surface of the beads tend to get coated with soap scum and other substances that inhibit their ability to release succinic acid into your skin.

Collectors and scientists have found not just bugs entombed in tree resin, but even animals as large as lizards, frogs and salamanders can be preserved in impressive detail. Skin, scales, fur and feathers are just some of the incredibly detailed features found in amber. Insects may be caught having sex.

Scientists have found more than 1,000 fossil species within its amber, including more than 400 species of insect and 150 species of spider. Occasionally vertebrate fossils also pop up, including anoles and even a salamander. Fossil anole lizards preserved in amber.