Amber
Amber is nature’s time capsule. This fossilized tree resin contains remnants of life on earth millions of years ago.
Overview
ABOUT AMBER
The Greeks called amber elektron, or “made by the sun.” Homer praised its bright glow. The Egyptians buried it in tombs for the afterlife. Today’s scientists value amber too: it provides a three-dimensional window into prehistoric ecosystems through the myriad animal and plant inclusions it contains.
Birthstones & Anniversaries
While amber isn’t a birthstone, it is associated with the astrological sign of Taurus.
320 million
The oldest amber dates to the Upper Carboniferous Period (approximately 320 million years ago).
6 Tons
The Amber Room, a 1716 gift presented to Russia’s Peter the Great, was made from six tons of amber.
Time Capsule
1,000 extinct animal species as well as various types of plant matter have been identified in amber.
FACTS
Organic, not mineral: Fossilized resin
Chemistry: C₁₀H₁₆O
Color: Yellow, orange, and brown
Refractive index: 1.540
Specific gravity: 1.08
Mohs Hardness: 2.0 to 2.5
TREATMENTS
There are a number of processes used to alter the color, apparent clarity, or improve the durability of gems.
SYNTHETICS
Some gemstones have synthetic counterparts that have essentially the same chemical, physical, and optical properties, but are grown by man in a laboratory.
IMITATIONS
Any gem can be imitated—sometimes by manmade materials or by natural materials chosen by man to impersonate a particular gem.
WHY WE LOVE THIS GEMSTONE
1
INTERESTING INCLUSIONS
With inclusions like insects, lizards, leaves, flowers, and feathers, amber helps scientists study ancient ecosystems.
2
JURASSIC GEM
Although the movie Jurassic Park is fiction, scientists extracted DNA from insects enclosed in 120-million year old amber.
3
Fragrant
Amber smells good when you rub it. Although an oil made from burned amber was used in scents in ancient times, it isn’t used in perfume today.
Quality Factors
Assessment of the following characteristics determines amber’s value.
COLOR
Amber comes in more colors than “amber.” Rare pieces can even be blue or green.
CLARITY
Amber with insect or plant inclusions is much more valuable than amber with none.
CUT
Most amber is polished in free-form shapes, cabochons or beads.
CARAT WEIGHT
Amber is surprisingly light: in fact, it will float in a saturated salt solution.
AMBER QUALITY FACTORS: THE COMPREHENSIVE GUIDE
Research
Explore sources, gemological research, and the role of gems in history.
Shu-Hong Lin, Tsung-Ying Yang, Kai-Yun Huang, and Yu-Shan Chou , Nov 11, 2022
Nazar Ahmed Ambalathveettil, Nahla Yaqub Al Muhari, and Sameera Mohammed Ali , May 13, 2022
Recommended Reading
Amber: the Natural Time Capsule
Andrew Ross
Amber: the Golden Gem of the Ages
Patty C. Rice
Amber: Window to the Past
David A Grimaldi
