Baltic Amber Jewelry

To the Norse, Amber was the golden tears of the Goddess Freya that fell into the sea and solidified.

Others believe Amber to be the tears of Heliads grieving for her dead brother Phaethon, who had fallen into the River Eridanos. The sun is said to have hardened the tears into Amber.

Polish legends ascribe Amber to human tears from the forty-day rain.

A Kashubian legend says Amber was created from very loud lightning storms.

Homer mentions Amber in his writings, attributing great desirability and value to the golden gems.

To the ancient Greeks, Amber came from the apples of immortality (hence the name, Amber from the Greek ambrotos, meaning ambrosia). From this legend, amber was believed to instill protection to its wearer and increase longevity. The Romans picked up on this, believing Amber a first rate protector, so much so, the Roman Gladiators adorned their shields and weapons with it.

In Christianity, Amber is thought to be tears shed by birds at Christ's death.

Ancient Germans called Amber bernstein, meaning burning stone. When burned, it will still give off a pine scent (50 million years later!), and so was used as an incense.

Amber is the gem of Germany, Romania, and Sicily and those of Germanic, Romanian and Sicilian descent.

Said to favor those named Ambrose and Anne.

Dreaming of Amber is said to indicate an upcoming voyage.

Healing Properties: Most commonly Amber is said to help with sore throats, swollen glands, and fevers likely because of its ability to hold heat.

Scientific Properties: Amber is not a true crystalline mineral, rather it is of organic origin, being the fossilized sap of pine trees common about 40-50 millions years old.

The most extensive deposits of Baltic Amber are found in the blue muds of the Sambian Peninsula and by the Bay of Gdansk.

Found all over the world, including Mexico, the Dominican Republic, and Borneo, but the most valued Amber usually comes from the Baltic region. Has piezoelectric properties (i.e. rub it and produces electricity). Hardness: 4 on the Moh's Hardness Scale

Buyer Beware! We highly recommend buying natural Amber from a reputable dealer. Why? Genuine Amber is fossilized resin from trees prolific millions of years ago and is therefore quite rare. But as with anything rare and expensive, fakes will pop up. If you see a large piece of clear amber with an insect inside and you're not paying much for it? Be very suspicious. Insect Amber, depending upon quality, usually runs hundreds of dollars for even a small piece. Plastics can be used to synthesize Amber and now there is something called Ambroid which is natural Amber ground up, powdered and glued back together.

Disclaimer: Newage Enterprises makes no claims as to the healing properties of this gemstone. We provide information on legends surrounding this stone's mystical and healing properties which allow the informed user to make their own decision.

Copyright © 2000-2008, Newage Enterprises, all rights reserved.
This site contains copyrighted material which may not be copied, distributed or used in any way without expressed written consent.