The Allure and History of Amber
Author: Magdalena Kořínková
Let’s travel back in time approximately 50 million years. The Earth is completely different. Other creatures inhabit it, different plants grow, and there are insects flying around that we certainly wouldn't want to encounter today. We can hear the sounds of prehistoric nature. Following a sudden subtropical climatic change, conifers begin to thrive. The temperature and humidity levels rise, leading trees to produce more and more resin for their protection.
You may be wondering why we, here at the Antiques Cinolter blog, are writing about a "journey to prehistoric times." This is because it was during this era that the 'gold of the north'—amber—began to form.
When we mention amber, we envision a honey-gold gem with a hint of ancient times. Besides the most common colour, amber appears in eight different shades: the most prevalent yellow, orange, red, white, brown, but we can also find rare blue-green, black, and mossy varieties. The most beautiful and valuable amber comes from the Chiapas region of Mexico, while stunning blue amber was discovered in Sicily. The opaque variety found in the Czech lands is named after its location of discovery, valchovit.
Did you know…
… that although amber is not a stone in the strictest sense, it is classified among minerals? Unlike precious stones, which have a crystalline structure, amber has an amorphous (i.e., shapeless) structure. This is due to its formation from the solidification of organic matter in various shapes.
Amber is most commonly found in the form of smaller pebbles, grains, or drops. The largest specimens were approximately the size of a human head and weighed around 10 kg. From large pieces, true gems were crafted, such as beautiful amber ashtrays. The largest deposits of amber are located on the southern coast of the Baltic Sea—up to 90% of all amber has been found right here, and extraction began as early as 1860.
Messenger from times past
Amber often preserves insects, parts of plants, birds (including colourful feathers), dinosaurs, snakes, frogs, or lizards. One of the rarest finds is the Gierlowski Lizard— a lizard preserved in a piece of amber, discovered in 1997 on the sands of Gdańsk beach. Such pieces of amber hold remarkable paleontological significance.
You might think that it would be possible to clone prehistoric creatures using DNA preserved in amber? Unfortunately—or fortunately—that is not possible. DNA does not survive in sub-fossil resin. Nevertheless, samples of long-extinct ecosystems preserved in amber are extremely valuable to scientists.
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Can amber be manufactured?
You might think that resin is abundant around us, and it shouldn't be difficult to create amber. However, the opposite is true. Attempts to artificially create amber have been made since the 19th century. When attempts with real resin failed, they tried using amber-coloured glass or melted fragments of genuine amber.
Although the chemical composition and the presumed process of formation are relatively well known, the processes of hardening, polymerisation, oxidation, isomerisation, and fermentation of resin in humid sediments, which formed at the bottoms of lagoons or in river deltas, as well as millions of years of preservation and the final maturation process in alkaline soils have yet to be replicated.
Real or fake?
Today, you may often come across fake amber made from commercial resins and dyes. Some pieces even contain insects. The authenticity of amber can be tested by exposing it to flames—the artificial version will begin to melt and shrivel. However, we definitely do not recommend this method! Although genuine amber melts at a temperature of 287 °C, we must remember that it is still resin and not a stone, so it is flammable and could be significantly damaged or even destroyed.
A simpler and gentler method is to check using ultraviolet radiation or by dropping it into a glass of salty water. Genuine amber has a low specific weight and is surprisingly light, thus it floats on the surface.
Another "harmless" method is rubbing it with a cloth, which causes genuine amber to develop a negative electrostatic charge, allowing it to attract dust or small torn bits of paper. If you are unsure about the authenticity, it’s better not to experiment and bring the amber to us; we’ll be happy to assist and advise you.
The Historical Popularity of Amber
For our ancestors, amber held incredible significance. They attributed magical powers to it, and because it emits a pleasant scent when heated, it was also used as incense. It has disinfectant properties. It is no wonder that it was traded throughout the known world at the time.
Amber gave its name to an ancient trade route connecting Europe from the Baltic to the Mediterranean. The Amber Road first appeared in written accounts by Roman authors Tacitus and Pliny the Elder around 400 BC.
Did you know that…
… amber was found in the burial equipment of the Egyptian pharaoh Tutankhamun?
For its beauty, amber has been used in jewellery since ancient times, and it is also used to adorn tableware and decorative tiles. Amber was highly popular during the Renaissance and Baroque periods, when it was used to line jewellery boxes, caskets, and cabinets, and to create rosaries and necklaces. You could also find amber adornments on altars and crosses.
Amber Jewellery
Amber can adorn any jewellery – from earrings, through bracelets, rings to necklaces or tiaras. Although amber has survived for millions of years, it can be easily damaged. High temperatures and certain chemicals (including perfumes) can severely harm it, and improper storage among other jewellery can scratch it. Amber jewellery should therefore have its own jewellery box, and cleaning should be carried out by professionals.
By acquiring amber jewellery, you gain not only a beautiful piece that wonderfully complements your personality but also a message from long, long ago.
