may be reddish or whitish. It ranges from
yellowish-white to black. Amber is one of the few
gemstones which is organic, rather than mineral,
in origin. It is the fossilized resin from prehistoric
evergreens which grew before the Ice Age.
It is the lightest gemstone known. Occasionally,
ft is recovered with 'loreign" fragments or insects
trapped inside which usually adds to Its value
because of the curiosity factor. (More than 1,000
species of extinct insects and crustacea have
been found in amber!)
Love of amber is as old as mankind. Archaeo-
logists have positively identified amber artifacts
as far back as 5000 B.C. No other gem
excepting the pearl can rival amber for sustained
ornamental usage and popularity. A writer in the
early 1500's wrote about a host of medicinal
values for amber: a cure for all disorders of the
throat, good against poison, tightened loose
teeth and drove off poisonous insects!
Amber should just be wiped clean with a soft
cloth. Do not use a home ultrasonic machine or
jewelry cleaners. Protect ft from scratches, sharp
blows and household chemicals.
Occasionally amber is heated to remove
cloudiness, intensify "sun spangle' inclusions and
deepen color.
Amber is found in the Baltic Sea region,
Dominican Republic and Tanzania.