Amber Stone

Amber

Amber is an Organic Gemstone. It is actually a naturally occurring hard and translucent fossilized resin found in some ancient trees. The resin must be several million years old to be called amber. Amber is found in a variety of colors and hues including the black, golden yellow, orange, milky white, reddish orange, green, violet or brownish yellow. Though Amber is considered a gemstone it is technically not a Gemstone or mineral. Amber is said to derive its name from Middle English amber or from Medieval Latin ambra or from Arabic anbar ambergris.

The Greeks and Romans used amber extensively in their jewelry and crafts. It is said to have been in existence even in the Stone Age and is one of the oldest found stones. The history of amber can be traced back to ancient times. Amber was also used to make varnish and incense. Amber is found in several places including Germany, Sicily, England, Myanmar and Mexico.

Amber deposits have been found that range between 360 and one million years old and belong between the Carboniferous and Pleistocene geological periods. As sticky resin oozed from ancient pine trees, small insects, plant material, feathers and other small objects in the path of the flow became entrapped. Over time, the resin was encased in dirt and debris and through a process of heat and pressure it fossilized to become amber.

Amber increases in value with the rarity and perfection of the entrapped object. Complete insect specimens are rare though and command top price.

Amber is very soft, between 2 1/2-3 on the Mohs scale and can be scratched easily. Bracelets and rings with amber cabochons should be worn with care to prevent marring the stone. Much of the amber used in commercial jewelry is actually reconstituted which makes it harder and less prone to scratching. Reconstituted and processed amber usually doesn’t have natural inclusions.

Amber gemstone was believed to possess magical power, since it was warm to touch, light weight, produced static electricity when rubbed and smelled sweet when heated. Wearing amber as an amulet was highly recommended to safeguard the wearer from evil and from negative energy. It suits well for those born under the Zodiacs Signs Leo, Virgo and Capricorn. It is said to protect health and reduce goiter. It is used to treat eye disorders, glandular swellings of the throat and lungs, teeth disorders, bronchial disorders, headache, rheumatic pains, stress, cold and jaundice. Amber gem stone balances endocrine and digestive system. It relieves stomach pain and improves liver and kidney functioning. Amber is said to enhance decision making, memory, luck and strength.

www.indonesiajewelry.com