BALTIC AMBER

What is amber and where does it come from?

Amber is the fossilised resin of trees that once covered the northern regions of Europe more than 40 million years ago. In the Eocene epoch, when amber was forming, our continent looked entirely different. The Baltic Sea did not yet exist – it is only about 12,000 years old. In the far north, in the area of present-day Scandinavia, there were lush forests with huge trees, which for reasons still unknown, released resin. That is where amber originates from. The sticky, golden substance flowed down the trees, trapping insects, plant particles and even drops of water. Such organic particles preserved within amber are called inclusions, and they provide excellent research material for scientists. Numerous rivers carried the resin southwards to the area where the Baltic Sea lies today, and beyond. For this reason, amber can be found not only along the coast, but also in southern Poland, as well as in Germany and Ukraine.

Not every fossilised resin is amber

Fossilised tree resins can be found in many places around the world. They are usually only a few million years old, though some are older. Younger, and therefore softer, resins are called copal and should not be referred to as amber. The age of the resin affects its quality and properties – the older it is, the harder, shinier and less flawed it becomes. Copal used in jewellery is first hardened. The most common sources of copal used in jewellery are Mexico and Colombia.

How is amber obtained?

The first image that comes to mind is walking along the beach in search of the “Baltic Gold”. Farmers sometimes also come across amber in their fields. However, these are not large quantities, and for the needs of jewellery making amber must be obtained in an organised manner. On the Baltic coast, significant amounts of amber are fished out of the sea. Especially in autumn and winter, when storms are frequent, amber is thrown ashore by the waves. Specialised gatherers equipped with nets and torches patrol the shore in search of Baltic Gold. Considerable deposits of amber also lie hidden underground. In Pomerania, companies operate that extract amber in this way. First, under the supervision of a geologist, the land is surveyed and drilling is carried out. If the plot proves rich in amber deposits, the company applies for a mining licence. After extraction, the land is restored. It is estimated that Poland’s amber resources exceed 3,500 tonnes. Amber is found not only near the Baltic coast. More than 98% of Polish deposits are located in the Lublin region, where the first Polish amber mine was established. Extraction there is carried out by open-pit mining.

Where and when is the best time to collect amber by the Baltic Sea?

You can collect amber while strolling along the beach. The best time is in autumn and winter, when storms are frequent and the sea is rough. If you plan to look for amber in summer, the best time is on a windy morning. The most popular places for amber collecting are Sobieszewo Island and the Vistula Spit.

How to recognise genuine amber?

When searching for amber on the beach, sometimes we are unsure if what we have found is genuine. There are a few simple tests to check:

Amber is light and warm to the touch – it is fossilised resin, not stone.

Amber floats in salt water – it is very light.

When burned, amber ignites with a bright flame and gives off a resinous scent.

When rubbed against natural material (e.g. wool or cotton), amber attracts hair, dust and tiny pieces of paper – it is electrostatic.

These tests work on the beach but not necessarily in shops. There are many imitations of Baltic amber on the market, and they are designed to behave like amber in simple tests.

How to distinguish natural amber from imitations?

Salt water, fire and electrostatic tests can help when checking whether a beach find is genuine amber. However, these do not work with jewellery imitations. Authenticity can only be verified in a laboratory, or guaranteed by buying from a trusted seller.

There are several types of Baltic amber imitations:

Plastic – rarely encountered today, but if you see a shell or a scorpion “trapped in amber” at a stall, it is most likely plastic.

Reconstructed and pressed amber – the most common substitute. Amber is resin, so under heat and pressure small fragments, dust and waste from polishing are fused into a larger piece. If no artificial resins (such as epoxy) are added, the result is indistinguishable from natural amber by spectrometry. Only microscopic examination of its internal structure can reveal whether it is pressed. Its value is much lower than that of natural, single-block amber.

Copal – resembles Baltic amber but is a younger resin, artificially hardened and often dyed vivid colours such as green, red or blue. Copal is cheaper than amber and behaves like it in basic tests. Only spectrometry can confirm the difference.

If you want to avoid buying imitations, pay attention to price (if it seems too low, be cautious), and choose sellers with a solid reputation.

At S&A we use only natural Baltic amber. We have our own lapidary workshop, which allows us to shape amber creatively and control the entire production process. You can find a list of our shops here. We invite also to our shop online If you are a wholesale buyer please contact us directly.  

What can you do with amber found on the beach?

Carry it with you as a personal lucky charm.

Hold it in your hand – amber is negatively charged, so in contact with the body it ionises and improves energy (whereas devices like mobile phones generate positive ions, which are harmful).

If you have many small pieces, you can make amber tincture. You can find the recipe here.

With medium-sized pieces, you can craft a necklace, bracelet or keyring. If you need accessories to create your own jewellery, you will find them here.

What determines the price of amber?

Like other gemstones, the price depends on size, clarity and colour. The larger the stone, the higher its price. The fewer cracks and inclusions it has, the more valuable it is. To achieve high quality, up to 90% of the raw material may be polished away, which raises the final cost of jewellery. The rarest and most expensive amber colour is white.

A separate category are amber pieces with inclusions. Here, uniqueness and preservation matter most. The most common inclusions are insects (flies), less often plants (leaves, flowers). Among the rarest finds are a lizard, a scorpion and a camel spider.

What determines amber’s colour?

Amber occurs in around 250 shades. While it is most commonly associated with orange, it may also be cherry red, lemon yellow, green, brown or white. Its colour depends on the organic particles trapped within and the environment it remained in for millions of years – depth underground, temperature, humidity, isolation. Generally, darker amber is found in shallower layers (affected by air and heat), while lighter or milky amber is found deeper or in the sea (better preserved). A white or milky appearance is caused by numerous microscopic air bubbles, though their formation is still not fully understood.

What are inclusions in amber?

Over 40 million years ago, in the lush forest where the Baltic Sea now lies, resin trapped insects, plants and even water droplets. These inclusions preserved tiny organisms in their original form and position, perfectly intact over millions of years. They provide invaluable research material and help us understand what life on Earth looked like in prehistoric times. The most common inclusions are insects, less often plants. Among the rarest are a lizard, a scorpion, a cicada and a camel spider.

At S&A we also have our own inclusion collection, with flies, spiders, ants, bees, grasshoppers and even a unique leaf imprint from a tree that today grows only in Canada.

Inclusions in amber also inspired the film series Jurassic Park, where a dinosaur was cloned from the blood of a mosquito preserved in amber. Would it be possible? Find the answer in our Expert Corner.

Amber in medicine and cosmetics

Hippocrates already wrote about the health benefits of amber. Baltic amber contains 3–8% succinic acid, whereas other fossil resins contain little or none. This compound has strong antibacterial and antioxidant properties. Research by Igor Kaczmarczyk has shown that amber extracts can kill harmful bacteria, including antibiotic-resistant staphylococcus, without damaging beneficial gut flora – suggesting amber may act as a natural antibiotic.

Historically, it was noted that during plague epidemics in Königsberg, amber workers never became infected. Succinic acid also supports metabolism, has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, and is used to alleviate rheumatic pain, joint diseases, asthma, and to strengthen immunity and regulate metabolism.

Amber tincture is the most popular health product made from amber. Here you can get one.

Amber is also used in cosmetics as a natural preservative – a rare quality among natural substances. Its succinic acid provides antioxidant and regenerative benefits, neutralises free radicals, brightens tired skin and stimulates revitalisation. It soothes irritation and combats bacteria, making amber cosmetics ideal for mature, demanding skin.

You can find amber cosmetics here.

Amber – the first encounter with electricity

Amber does not conduct electricity but was humanity’s first experience with static electricity. When rubbed against wool, it becomes charged and attracts small objects such as hair, paper or straw. These electrostatic properties were crucial for understanding electricity. The word “electricity” itself derives from the Greek word electron, meaning amber.

History

Baltic amber has been valued since the Palaeolithic for its beauty and properties, becoming one of the first traded goods. In ancient Greece, Rome and the Arab world it was so highly prized that Roman merchants built a 1,000 km route from Rome to the Baltic coast solely for transporting amber. This so-called Amber Road was one of the best-maintained trade routes of antiquity.

Greek mythology tells that amber is frozen sunlight, fallen from the heavens and sunk into the sea. Hence its ancient name electron – “born of the sun”. Amber was believed to possess magical and healing powers, and was worn as a protective amulet. Romans thought it preserved youth and beauty; hunt amulets were believed to ensure success; and the Chinese believed amber contained the soul of the tiger.

Throughout history amber was considered a precious medicine. Its beneficial properties, already noted by Hippocrates, were linked to its succinic acid content. Its antibacterial, antiseptic and stimulating effects made it highly valued.

The attributes of amber

Amber is regarded as a Stone of Good Fortune, symbolising wealth and success. It is also protective and cleansing, dispelling negative energies and blockages. Amber is said to awaken hidden potential, add vitality and courage, strengthen patience, calm the nerves and mind, and enhance attractiveness.

Zodiac signs: Taurus, Gemini, Leo

Planet: Sun

Element: Fire

Chakras: Solar plexus (inner wisdom, confidence) and Sacral (creativity, sensuality, life energy).