Articles
Discovering Amber
Amber is so named for its color and is truly is a treasure from the earth!
Amber forms from the sap that flows from coniferous trees containing succinic acid, to protect and nourish it. Small insects and other small objects get caught in the path of the flow and became entrapped. After years of heat and pressure it fossilized to become Amber. If there is an insect entrapped the Amber becomes valuable and therefore more expensive.
Amber can range from deep brown to cognac to light yellow and a variety of colors that can be heated treated to create them. If they are heat treated the are still Genuine Amber but nor called Natural Amber. You will find names like Cognac Amber, Lemon Amber, Cherry Amber, Green Amber, Cream or White Amber, and Honey Amber which are all referring to the color of the stone.
Today, most Amber is found in the Baltic Sea area and the Dominican Republic.
One word of caution, there is a large amount of reconstituted and processed Amber being sold in jewelry today. While still attractive, they do not command the price nor should they be represented as Amber. Copal is young resin. As the resin ages it hardens and after hardening for a billion years is becomes Amber. Copal, in time will scratch, get a crusty layer and does not hold a polish.
This beautiful Brooch is available for sale on our other website
Back to Articles
