Amber
The Gold of the North
Amber, often called ‘the gold of the North’, is a fascinating example of an organic gemstone – a group that also includes pearls, coral and ivory, among few others. Organic gemstones are created through complex biological processes, and their source can be either plant or animal. Hardened fragments of tree resin exuded around 25-60 million years ago that managed to withstand the biological decomposition, then submitted to prolonged high pressure and oppressive temperatures, have transformed into what is known today as amber.
Scandinavian Origins
Although amber can be found virtually anywhere in the world, the first documented occurrence of the gemstone took place around the Baltic and the North Sea coast of Jutland. A pottery vessel with 3.3 kilograms of raw amber dating to the Bronze Age (3000 BC – 1200 BC) found in the Understand region of Denmark, as well as discoveries from settlements in Thy suggest that this is where amber originated.
The Amber Road
Number of archaeological discoveries also point to the existence of several prehistoric trade routes between Scandinavia and the Mediterranean region, focused solely on transporting the golden fossil across the continent. The Scandinavian amber reached as far as Syria and Iraq: an Assyrian obelisk found in the ancient city of Nineveh mentions ‘amber from the countries of North’.
Contemporary Sources
Nowadays, the most important source of amber is located in Samland, Russia, east of Kaliningrad in the Baltic region. The mine is responsible for delivery of approximately 80-90 percent of the world’s natural amber and produces nearly 300 tons per year. Apart from Russia, the Baltic amber can also be found in Poland, Lithuania and Estonia, as well as occasionally in Norway, Denmark, and even the United Kingdom. Other deposits of the golden gem are based in the Dominican Republic, Mexico, Australia, Myanmar, Lebanon, Sicily, Romania, Germany, and Canada.
The Colours of Amber
Amber can be transparent or semi-transparent and occurs in a wide range of colours. In addition to the most popular yellow-to-brown variety that gives the stone its name, amber can also be green, red (‘cherry amber’), or even blue – the latter being a very rare and sought-after variant found only in the Dominican Republic.
Time Capsule
One of the most interesting things about amber are its unique preservational capabilities; Pieces of amber sporadically contain small fauna or plant matter that became caught in the freshly secreted resin, consequently creating a sort of time capsule containing remnants of life on earth as it were millions of years ago. These are also the most valuable types of amber, which can cost as much as thousands of pounds.
Countless Imitations
At present, amber is one of the most widely imitated gemstones, with countless and diverse techniques allowing to produce its synthetic versions from either natural resins, or plastic.