All About Amber
Many people think that amber is a precious gemstone, when it comes from resin, a tree sap that has hardened over a long time, usually millions of years. This fossilized resin comes from ancient pine trees and is millions of years old. Sometimes the resin has insects set inside, which are incredible to look at as these have been preserved for thousands and thousands of years. Amber is usually a yellow, orange, golden colour, and is semi-translucent however there are lots of other colours too. Amber can be dyed other colours and found naturally, but in its traditional colour, it is truly beautiful. Amber rates at a 2.5 on the Mohs scale of hardness so isn`t as hard as some gemstones, however, its softness means it is easy to work with and can be carved into many beautiful objects. If you rub Amber it is possible to get an electric charge, this is why it is known by the Greek people as electron.
Where In the World is Amber Found?
You can find amber all over the world in lots of different locations. The Dominican Republic is where you would probably find the biggest deposits. However, it is also found in Alaska, The Baltic, Myanmar, Madagascar, Mexico, Spain, France and Italy. You get what is known as Baltic Amber and this is mainly found along the coast of Poland.
The History of Amber
Amber was one of the first “gems” to be used in jewellery, and some artefacts dating back to the stone ages have been found. Amber has been used to make religious objects and ornaments since these prehistoric times. In Roman times, Amber was known as succinum. In order for them to use amber, they would have to bring it all the way from the Baltic coast, a huge distance to travel but it shows just how important amber was to them and how much this was treasured by the people.
The Meanings Behind Amber
It is believed by many that if you bury your loved ones with an amber object or amulet it will protect their soul in the afterlife. Apollo the sun god believed amber to be sacred and thought it congealed sunlight inside. Amber is supposed to bring the wearer emotional and mental strength and is thought to be highly calming. Amber has throughout history been seen as a sign of protection, keeping you safe when travelling.
How to Care For Your Amber Jewellery
As Amber only rates 2.5 on the Mohs scale of hardness, great care should be taken. Amber should be cleaned using a soft cloth and warm water. You can use olive oil on it to restore its shine and to polish it. You should never leave amber in bright direct sunlight as this will cause it to fade and go dull. You should store in a cloth-lined jewellery box when you aren`t wearing it as it is also very easily scratched. Sudden temperature changes can also damage the amber.
Amber Used in Jewellery
With its rich history and warm glow, amber is a perfect choice for jewellery that is a bit different. Amber is very lightweight, so suited to classic jewellery with a delicate look. It is warm in colour and will suit most looks. You can also get amber in different colours if you
want something even more unique looking. You Can get amber in blue, cherry, green, yellow and black so the choice is all yours. Amber is very easy to cut so you will also see it in a variety of different shapes, such as oval, heart, stars, hexagon, and triangles. You can get amber in pretty much any jewellery including necklaces, cuff-links, rings, earrings, brooches and bracelets. Amber also looks great set on any sort of metal, but many people choose topair it with silver as this really enhances the amber colour. Amber is a popular choice so youshould be able to purchase amber jewellery from any jewellery store.