| Amber is a fascinating substance. It is commonly | | | | which amber was transported, known as the |
| regarded as a gemstone but unlike most others it | | | | 'amber roads,' were always fiercely contested and |
| does not have a mineral origin. Deposits of resin | | | | protected in antiquity as they guaranteed |
| from certain pine trees were fossilized at the | | | | prosperity to those in control of them. Amber |
| bottom of the sea for millions of years creating | | | | was known as 'northern gold'. The Roman |
| amber. It is known for its many inclusions that | | | | historian Pliny wrote that a small amount of |
| ensure each piece is unique. The inclusions are | | | | amber was more valuable that a male slave in his |
| generally small pieces of plant or insect matter | | | | prime. Nowadays it is the rarer forms of amber |
| that fossilized within the resin. Due to this amazing | | | | that have the greater price tag. |
| preservation technique archaeologists have come | | | | Amber is mythically associated with safety and |
| to regard amber as a window into biological | | | | continuity. One of the continuing uses over the |
| history. | | | | years has been in the form of talismans and |
| Mining Amber | | | | amulets meant to provide safety for the wearer. |
| Amber is collected in a number of ways. In | | | | In India and other countries necklaces of amber |
| certain areas, notably around the Baltic sea, it | | | | are placed around children's necks to protect |
| washes up onto the shore. Due to this amber | | | | them from kidnap. When rubbed with a cloth |
| gathering has taken a variety of opportunistic | | | | amber has electrical properties; possibly why |
| forms over the years including diving for amber | | | | many cultures have associated it with providing |
| or gathering it whilst on horse back with long | | | | healing energy. |
| poles and nets in marshy areas, both whimsically | | | | If you are stuck for a mother's day gift amber is |
| referred to as amber fishing. Collecting amber | | | | considered a good stone to give as a present to |
| used to be an important source of revenue for | | | | family members as it is said to strengthen bonds |
| villagers, a traditional small industry. Nowadays | | | | and help with overcoming obstacles. |
| large scale industrial mining of large deposits has | | | | Amber Jewellery |
| become the staple source of amber. | | | | Golden orange tones are commonly associated |
| About 80% of the amber in the world is to be | | | | with amber. But it is also possible to get rarer |
| found in the Baltic regions around Russia and | | | | forms that are highly desired, including opaque or |
| Poland. | | | | even blue amber. These types are considerably |
| Uses of Amber | | | | more expensive. Modern technology allows us to |
| The human history of amber appears to span | | | | heat treat amber which means that it is widely |
| back an exceptionally long way. There is evidence | | | | available in a myriad of colours including yellows, |
| from as far back as 8000 B.C. suggesting amber | | | | greens and oranges. |
| has been treasured by humans. Amber items like | | | | Today there is a thriving jewellery industry based |
| beads, bowls and amulets from antiquity have | | | | around amber products. Although only about 20% |
| been found as far spread as ancient South | | | | of all mined amber is suitable for use in jewellery. |
| America, the North Pole, in Tutankhamen's tomb | | | | Commonly it is set into silver, but there are now |
| and one of the earliest pieces in Great Briton was | | | | luxurious gold and amber products available as |
| found in a Celtic burial mound dating from 1200 | | | | well. Due to its unique qualities and range of |
| B.C. | | | | natural and beautiful colours it remains as popular |
| Amber has been a highly desired product for as | | | | today as it has ever been. |
| long as it has been known. The trade routes along | | | | |