Amber

Amber is a yellow stone created from the fossilized resin of trees. It is wonderful for big earrings as it has a very light weight. Most jewelry can be made from amber though it can be easily scratched so is not recommended for rings.

Amber Information

Amber is commonly yellow or orange. Some amber has been found with red, green, blue, violet, and black hues. Amber is known for having inclusions such as insects, air bubbles, or pine needles from when it is formed. The more unusual the inclusion, often the more expensive the piece. Amber has a hardness rating of 2.5.

Amber can be easily scratched as it is very soft. Store amber jewelry separately to avoid it being scratched by other pieces of jewelry.

Amber has been imitated by glass, plastic, synthetic resin and other natural resins. Amber is commonly heated in oil to remove cloudiness. Green amber is usually heated-treated yellow amber.

The best quality amber comes from the Baltic region (the coasts of Poland and the USSR). Some of this amber has been washed to the shores of Norway, Denmark and England.

Amber is thought to help one be joyful and happy. It lightens the burdens of life.

Amber has been used for decoration since the stone age.

Amber with special markings such as the intials of ones name was thought to be a great protective talisman.