Sep
Amber gemstone is renowned as one of the most captivating jewelry pieces worldwide. Here are 7 intriguing facts about amber that might surprise you.
Keyword(s): amber gemstone
Although amber is celebrated for its radiant glow when polished, it isn’t a gemstone in the traditional sense. It’s actually the fossilized resin from ancient trees.
Amber’s distinct characteristics have fascinated and adorned humanity for centuries, often used in various forms, especially in jewelry.
Each piece of amber is unique and predominantly sourced from the Baltic region, home to the largest amber deposits. The Palaeogene forests in Northern Europe have produced over 105 tons of Baltic amber, the largest known accumulation of fossilized resin.
While Dominican amber is also well-known, Baltic amber is unparalleled in preserving fossilized insects, a topic we’ll explore later.
For now, let’s dive into some remarkable aspects of the amber gemstone, which isn’t really a gemstone at all.
Amber Gemstone Colors
One might be surprised to learn that amber is available in various stunning shades. While its most common hue is a honey-brown, there are actually 256 recognized shades of amber.
Blue amber is usually Dominican in origin, although Baltic amber can be treated to achieve a similar blue tint.
Given amber’s resinous nature, you can expect it in yellows, oranges, burnt reds, coppers, and even creams or whites. Some ambers appear green or violet, depending on the preserved plant material.
Astrology
Amber is associated with several Zodiac signs due to its energy and strength.
It serves as the birthstone for Cancer, reflecting the energy of June and July, the sunniest months in the Northern Hemisphere. Cancer spans from June 21 (the summer solstice) to July 22.
You might also find amber listed as a birthstone for Taurus, aligning well with this nature-centric sign due to amber’s earthy origins.
The orange-gold tones in amber are believed to stabilize high energies in the physical body, providing Taureans with calm, protection, and balance.
Fashion
Amber has been adorned in jewelry since at least 11,000 BCE, as evidenced by ancient archeological sites in England.
In ancient Rome, women would rub amber in their hands, similar to today’s ‘worry stones,’ believing it would maintain their youthful appearance.
In Lithuania, beaded amber necklaces are still offered to newborns today. Ancient Romans used amber amulets to enhance fertility, and amber rings were part of wedding ceremonies to ensure eternal bonds and renewed fidelity.
Healing Properties
Amber has long been valued for its medicinal attributes, dating back to antiquity.
Notably, Nicolaus Copernicus included amber in a medicinal recipe, and Hippocrates documented its therapeutic uses, influencing medical practices up to the Middle Ages.
Baltic amber contains 3-8% succinic acid, known for boosting immunity and widely used in modern medicine.
During the medieval plague, amber was used as a fumigant to prevent disease spread, with fumigators reportedly never succumbing to the plague. Today, amber is popular in aromatherapy.
Symbolism
Amber symbolizes preservation and eternal youth, with some cultures viewing it as a resting place for souls due to preserved insects.
This gem symbolizes good luck and general protection, especially against evil.
It’s a symbol of renewed faith in marriage and represents eternal love, making it the tenth-anniversary gem.
In New Age practices, amber is believed to open the third Chakra, enhancing mental clarity, instilling confidence, and balancing moods.
Amber also symbolizes:
- Patience and wisdom development
- Fear elimination
- Mental clarity
- Headache relief
- Negative energy dissolution
Archeological History
Amber, despite not being a true gemstone, requires millions of years and specific burial conditions to form. It originates as tree sap, which hardens over time into the translucent gem known today.
Scientists have studied amber for centuries, uncovering more than 1000 extinct insect species.
Amber has been found in ancient Egyptian tombs dating back to 3200 BCE, likely sourced from the Baltic Coast.
Amber holds a wealth of historical insights.
Mythology
One intriguing fact about amber is its electrical properties. When rubbed against cloth, amber generates static electricity, producing sparks and attracting small particles, which led the Greeks to name it ‘elektron,’ the root of the modern word ‘electricity.’
The Greeks also believed that amber was formed from pieces of the sun that fell into the sea at night.
Buying Amber Gemstone Jewelry
You can find amber jewelry at fine retailers and specialty stores, but beware of imitations. Real amber is powdery when scraped, unlike fake amber, which flakes.
Amber is a beautiful accessory for any occasion and makes a great conversation piece. Its unique organic nature is sure to be admired.
If you’re in search of genuine amber jewelry, contact us! Your piece of archaeological history awaits.
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