What is amber?
Amber is a fascinating natural material that has captivated people for millennia. Its many color variations and interesting history make it a popular jewelry and collector's item.
Origin
Amber is a fossilized resin secreted by ancient coniferous trees approximately 35 to 55 million years ago. These trees likely grew in Scandinavia. Over time, geological processes transformed this resin into the material we know today as amber. The amber you find in my shop comes exclusively from the Baltic Sea region and has traveled a long way before I collect it on the beaches of Usedom.
Special features
One of the most fascinating properties of amber is that it often contains inclusions. These inclusions can be insects, plant remains, or other organic materials that were trapped in the resin millions of years ago. Such inclusions offer scientists valuable insights into prehistoric times and are highly sought after by collectors.
Colors
Amber's color palette is astonishingly diverse. The most well-known color is warm, golden yellow, but there are also various shades of white, red, brown, and even green. The color depends on the chemical composition and the conditions under which the resin fossilized. When amber is particularly weathered, it is almost impossible to see without a UV lamp, as it often resembles charcoal or rock. In my experience, white and dark red amber are the rarest.
forms
Amber comes in various forms. For example, small pieces of amber formed when resin ran down the trunk and quickly solidified. Resin also accumulated in cracks and crevices in trees, creating fist-sized pieces of amber. When amber is worn smooth by the sea for a very long time, it can become round like a marble.
