Amber

Amber is a 40 million year old resin transformed into stone. It is one of the few precious substances on earth which we consider a true gem and not of mineral origin. Diamond, Jet (both derived from various stages of coal) and Amber (fossilised tree resin) are the only gems of vegetative origin. The value of any gemstone is directly tied to its rarity whilst the quality of amber is determined by it’s levels of succinite.

Baltic amber contains the highest level of succinic acid, making it the highest quality form of amber. In spite of the many long processes to transform the resin into amber, this valuable gem still remains in the fossil stage. This means that it is subject to oxidising and polymerisation and since this process is ongoing, amber is assumed to be a “living” stone. Amber is nature’s very own time capsule, and being able to fashion such beautiful jewellery from nature- and in fact history- is what makes this gem so very special.

Fashion is fleeting, but Amber is here to stay.

Geology

About 45 million years ago, the territory of present central and northern Europe, known as Fennoscandia, was covered by a thick forest stretching from the Norwegian Coast to the Caspian Sea, this was before the landmass separated into what we know as present day Europe. Amber is the fossilised resin of the coniferous trees which were growing in this area. These trees produced an unnaturally large secretion of resin and are denoted collectively as ‘amber-bearing pine’- Pinus succinifera. Scientists at the Polish Museum of Science speculate that reddish tints found in cherry amber are the resin of deciduous trees, such as cherry and plum trees. Amber is not, as is commonly thought to be pine sap, but rather it is the vascular tissue of the trees which protrudes, either during injury or radical climate change. The liquid resin which flowed out to the surface, warmed and clarified in the rays of the sun, preserving ‘imprints’ of bark and the shapes of the trees' injuries, this finally sets in the form of streams or ‘icicles’. Between the layers of successive swellings, small plants and arthropods often became trapped: today, they are imbedded in amber as organic inclusions. Amber literally captures the magnificent history of our Earth.

Healing Properties

The protective and medicinal power of amber, developed in primitive and ancient societies, survived for many millennia. Even Prussian Prince’s Albrecht Hohenzollern and Nicolaus Copernicus used amber in ailments such as toothache, stomach ache, rheumatism and heart arrhythmia. This is not simply a historic myth - supported by scientific research, the faith in the beneficial properties of amber has proved to be justified. Amber acid was discovered to act as a ‘biostimulant’, which stimulates the nervous system, regulates the work of kidneys and intestines, and acts as both anti-inflammatory and antitoxic agents. This simple ingredient is the basis for ointments and creams to treat rheumatic and asthmatic ailments, skin ulcerations and irritations, as well as bronchial, throat and thyroid conditions. The acid and oil obtained from amber are also used in the cosmetics industry, as they destroy free radicals (associated with ageing) and bacteria, they also appear to have disinfectant properties and can alleviate the effects of burns and insect bites.

History

Thousands of years ago people were fascinated by the extraordinary, inexplicable properties of the golden pebbles washed up on beaches and in coastal forests. The stone burnt when placed into fire, exuding a pleasant resinous smell and aromatic smoke. When rubbed, it curiously attracted various small light items towards itself as if by magic. The stone interior would often hide small, undamaged plants and insects, which must have only found their way inside by magic. This quickly aroused the curiosity of the primitive man, developing admiration and respect for this unusual gem. It is no wonder man started attributing magical powers to amber it truly was and remains to this day, one of a kind. Amber pendants from the Stone Age, which have survived to the present day are interpreted as ‘amulets’ used in hunting magic, by the prehistoric inhabitants of the Baltic Sea region. In Ancient Rome, amber was popular as a decorative material, but it was also thought to have protective powers. The word "electricity" is derived from the Greek name for Amber, electrum. This is because amber, when rubbed, acquires an electrical charge. Thales, an ancient Greek philosopher, was the first to describe this seemingly magical property around 600 BC. Nowadays amber is used in medicine and jewellery. Often set in gold or silver, amber can be found in many natural colours: varying shades of yellow, orange, red, white, brown, green, bluish and sometimes even blue or black. No matter the age or decade, amber remains a truly beautiful mystery of nature.

Legends

Lithuanian legend tells stories of the the origins of Baltic amber. The Goddess, Jūratė, lived under the Baltic Sea, in a beautiful castle made entirely of amber. She was the ruler of the sea and all of the sea’s life. She aimed to punish Kastytis, a young fisherman who was disturbing her sea-life, but she fell in love. Their love was doomed when Perkūnas, the thunder-God discovered their immortal-mortal relationship, and struck the amber castle - exploding it into millions of pieces. This was long used as an explanation for the origins of amber washed ashore, following a storm on the Baltic Sea.