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Amber

Amber is the fossilised resin of prehistoric pine trees that grew in the Tertiary period, approximately fifty million years ago. Resin is produced by trees when an injury occurs and also as a defence against disease. As such, amber is an organic material that is formed from carbon, hydrogen and oxygen. The chemical composition varies in accordance with the type of tree, as amber originates from several plant families.

Amber has long been considered talismanic. In the Middle Ages amber was thought to be a defence against diseases against the plague, and has been ground up in incense to protect against black magic. The Greeks called amber ‘electrum’ which means ‘sun made.’ Later, amber was found to produce a static electric charge when rubbed. Due to its initial association, electricity was coined from ‘electrum.’

As a gemstone, amber is predominantly yellow-orange and brown, and can be translucent to opaque. Other colours amber may be found in include reddish brown, greenish, bluish-grey and black. Amber can have fascinating bug and plant inclusions that can give the viewer an insight into prehistoric flora and fauna. This lovely gemstone is relatively soft, and so is often carved into beads and cabochons.

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