What on Earth is Amber?

Amber is fossilized tree resin, not a true gemstone. Its glowing yellow-orange colour, and the insects sometimes preserved inside, have made it a favourite for jewellery for thousands of years. The name goes back to the Latin electrum, meaning "beaming sun", and this guide covers its history, colours and folklore.

The History of Amber

Amber has been praised throughout the years for its radiant color and natural beauty. As early as 4^th century B.C., amber has been mentioned in classical literary works. The earliest intact literary piece that describes this stone was written by the Roman author, Pliny the Elder.

According to his writings, amber may have originated from four possible islands: Heligoland in Zealand, the shores of Bay of Gdansk, the Sambia Peninsula, or the Curonian Lagoon. These sites are historically the richest sources of amber in Europe. Back then, people used to think that amber was produced by the Sun. However, Pliny also cited opinions of those who knew the true origin of Amber to which they referred as tree juice.

In the ancient times, the warm energy that this stone tends to exude was believed to possess special qualities. One of the most striking is that amber is extremely old. And because of its old age, amber is regarded as the stone of wisdom. In fact, the oldest amber discovered on Earth is estimated to be 320 million years old! Think about it; this stone has witnessed dinosaurs! Now you may think that amber only comes in one color, but that's not true. Amber also comes in red, green, and the most highly-prized color that is found only in the Dominican Republic “ blue.

Amber in Folklore

Over its long history, different cultures have attached their own beliefs to this stone. In Asia, amber was considered the soul of the tiger and a stone of courage, and travellers carried fragments of it on long journeys as a protective charm. In folklore amber is also associated with good luck, courage, patience and wisdom. These are traditions and symbolism, not anything the stone does.

Keep your eyes peeled for this stone next time you're on a jewelry hunt. Look at the warm glow and see if it is the stone for you.