Gemstones - Background and Lore - Amber

Amber is organic - it is a product of living organisms. Amber formed millions of years ago when sap from trees hardened and fossilized. Stone Age people found amber along the coast of the Baltic Sea. It was one of the earliest ornamental gems.

Amber on occasion has trapped once living things in it that provides a fascinating time capsule of sorts. The Baltic coast bordering Germany, Poland, and Russia is a source of Amber and is often called the "gold of the North."

Amber's color ranges from whites to yellows to oranges to reds to brown. Transparent stones are preferred in the US while cloudy pieces are preferred in Europe and North Africa. Heating the cloudy amber is oil clarifies it.

Some of the major sources of amber include Dominican Republic, Germany, Mexico, Poland, and Russia. Amber's hardness is rated as a 2-2.5 on the Moh's Scale, and it's toughness is considered poor. It burns at low temperatures, and it may darken with age. It is attacked by acids, caustics, alcohol, and gasoline.

Never steam clean or use an ultrasonic cleaner on amber. Warm soapy water is best, but do not use a hard brush as this may scratch the stone.

Amber promotes healing, protection from negativity, attractiveness and energy.