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Amber

Amber is nature’s time capsule. This fossilised tree resin contains remnants of life on earth millions of years ago.

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Polished
Rough

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Amber History and Lore

Amber is probably best known for its insect and other types of inclusions.

Article

Amber Quality Factors

Learn about the factors that make amber so desirable.

Article

Amber Description

Amber formed tens of millions of years ago, when sap from ancient trees hardened and fossilised.

People meet and mingle at the entrance to the JCK Show.

Article

Headwinds Slow 2019 Vegas Business, Lab-grown Diamonds Proliferate

Russell Shor, June 14, 2019

Decent demand for finished jewellery, but less for loose gems. Plus: Lab-grown diamonds and responsible, sustainable business practices.

Two sections of the reconstructed Amber Room wall show the mirrored pilasters that separate the panels, the Florentine mosaics, and the intricate amber wreaths and clusters on and atop the cornice.

Article

The Amber Room: Born From Vanity, Reborn From National Pride

Russell Shor, May 16, 2019

The journey of a cultural landmark from Prussia to Russia. The first room is lost to history; the second was reconstructed by the Soviet Union.

An early black and white photo that shows deep trenches dug into the ground in the search for diamonds. Ladders and ropes help the miners excavate and traverse the mine.

Article

Historical Reading: The Diamond Fields of South Africa: Part 1 (1868-1893)

Dr James Shigley

The discovery of diamonds in South Africa in early 1867 marked the start of an historic period of diamond exploration.

34th International Gemmological Conference

James E. Shigley, February 1, 2016

A report from the 34th IGC, held in Vilnius, Lithuania in August 2015.

Amber and plastic reactions to illumination.

Plastic Amber Imitation in a Rosary

Nazar Ahmed Ambalathveettil, Mohamed Karam, and Sutas Singbamroong, May 8, 2017

Examination reveals both amber and Bakelite plastic beads in a rosary submitted for identification.

Steam-dyed “chicken-fat yellow beeswax” amber.

Steam-Dyed Amber

Yamei Wang, Fen Liu, Shufang Nie, and Andy Shen, August 3, 2016

Testing identifies a new treatment method as the cause of colour in beeswax amber.

Inclusions in Burmese Amber

Victoria Raynaud, Vincent Pardieu, and Wim Vertriest, August 3, 2016

Examples of Burmese amber specimens with well-preserved inclusions that have become available in recent years.

This Month's

Featured Gems

Peridot

Found in lava, meteorites and deep in the earth’s mantle, yellow-green peridot is the extreme gem.

Fancy Colour Diamond

Dazzling brilliance. Captivating colour. These are the planet’s most valued gems.

Diamond

Diamonds are among nature’s most precious and beautiful creations.

Emerald

Emerald is the bluish green to green variety of beryl, a mineral species that includes aquamarine.

Citrine

Citrine is the transparent, pale yellow to brownish orange variety of quartz.

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Amber

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Gemstones

Gemstones

Featured Gems

Peridot

Fancy Colour Diamond

Diamond

Emerald

Citrine

Amber

Research

Reviewed

Topics

Topics

Gemstones

Gemstones

Featured Gems

Peridot

Fancy Colour Diamond

Diamond

Emerald

Citrine

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