Adorn Answers ~ What is Amber?
Beautiful, mysterious and enduringly popular, we have many different designs which feature Amber. Often incorrectly referred to as a gemstone, in this blog we’ll take a closer look and answer the question, what is amber?
How is amber formed?
Amber is fossilised tree resin. Around 40 to 45 million years ago there was a huge forest area around the coast with the Baltic Sea. The fossilised tree sap was left behind as the forest decayed. Amber is very light and floats in seawater so is able to be picked up by streams and rivers. The amber from the forest flowed towards Poland.
Where is amber found?
The amber used in the jewellery we have at Adorn is all from the Baltic Coast of Poland. Most of the amber discovered inland has been unearthed in sedimentary rock which suggests that it was transported in very shallow waters. This would fit with amber being transported via the Baltic Sea which is shallow.
There is a belief that much of the Baltic Amber traveled around 20,000 years ago. A huge glacier travelled South in this period, almost to the southern tip of Poland. It carried with it ancient Amber which was then deposited in various locations around the country. This glacier receded around 10,000 years ago and as it melted, created the Baltic Sea. This began life landlocked but, as the glacier continued to melt, the level rose and connected to the Atlantic Ocean.
Prior to merging with the Atlantic Ocean, the Baltic Sea was freshwater. As quality amber is slightly heavier than fresh water it would have bobbed along quite happily on the sea bed. As the sea and the ocean merged and the Baltic Sea became saltwater, the amber would have begun to float and therefore travel faster. This makes it likely that the amber we find on the Baltic shore today is likely to be younger than that which is found inland.
How is amber collected?
Amber can be ‘fished for’ and this technique is used in Gdansk. As the sea is so shallow, a storm can dislodge from the seabed and will drift towards the shore. Combing small waves which lap the shore, amber can be found nestling amongst seaweed and shells washed up by the tide.
Amber can also be found further inland and recovered by ‘prospecting’. This is completed under strict license in Poland and sustainability is an important factor. After they have combed the land for amber, it must be returned to it’s former state.
In sites such as these, the amber can lie around 10 meters below the surface. Using techniques honed over several generations, they carefully remove the grass and topsoil, putting in to one side. Thin sheets of metal are driven into the earth and then water is pumped through a giant hose. This is fixed to a long pole and the pressure of the water drives the pole into the soil. The soil begins to circulate and amber starts to to rise to the surface where it is fished out.
How old is amber?
Some amber is over 40 million years old! It has been worn as jewellery for at least 7,000 years and, although rare, amber beads and rings have been discovered in tombs in Ancient Egypt.
Amber myths and legends
Ancient Chinese legends told that the souls of tigers became amber upon their release from this plane and in Ancient Greece and Ancient Rome, women often wore amber talismans in the shape of different animals, rabbits for example, to encourage fertility.
Amber is often worn by people durning rituals of magick. As it often holds living things, it was believed to hold the power of life itself. Further fuelling this legend is the fact that amber becomes electrically charged when rubbed against wool or silk. The Greek word for amber, elektron, has given us the words electron and electricity.
Amber at Adorn
We have a wonderful collection of amber jewellery at Adorn, including some wonderful statement pieces. Our amber is from the Baltic Coast of Poland and we work with small, independent designers to ensure excellent quality and superb design.
Explore our wonderful collections online or pop and try them in our beautiful, historic shop. You can find directions and our usual opening hours here
Keep Sparkling Jewellery Lover!
Laura Jo, Adam, Heathcliff 🐾 and Moriarty 🐾 at Adorn
