The Uses of Amber

Although Amber is usually categorized as a precious gemstone due to some of its qualities, it is actually a fossilized resin. Amber has been known to man since the beginning of time and since Amber forms naturally around the world, it has been used mainly as ornamental jewelry.

The largest deposits of Amber are located near the Baltic and Black Seas; in fact, today you can take a net and actually fish for Amber. Usually Amber comes from the floor of the sea that has been fossilized between 30 million and 90 million years ago.

There are no real industrial uses for Amber, however since Amber has been known to man for thousands of years it has been given many mystical qualities over the years by different cultures.

Amber is used in new age philosophies as a way to heal eyes and gland swelling in the throat and lungs. It is said to also have the properties of balancing out your endocrine network and digestive tract.

Amber was also given magical powers in ancient and medieval times. For instance, Amber is associated with good luck and the cycle of life. Amber is considered good for longevity, it is also said to make the person wearing Amber more electric or magnetic, ultimately more attractive.

It is also said that Amber protected one against rheumatism and gout, as well as a snake bite. Many newborns were given Amber to wear as infants, in order to guard themt from evil forces witches, the devil and witchcraft.

How and Where is Amber Formed and Found

Amber is not a stone, actually it is fossilized resin. Amber can be different in composition, but mostly includes resin soluble alcohol, chloroform and ether. Amber is created by once living entities such as trees and other types of flora.

Amber gradually forms and hardens over many millions of years. In fact, most of today’s Amber is from 30 to 90 millions old. Amber’s scientific formula is written as C10H16O, incorporating carbon, hydrogen and oxygen.

Amber can usually be found in all parts of the world where there was once flora living millions of years ago. Amber in general has its biggest depositories in the Baltic region. Baltic Amber is found all along the Baltic and North seas from the north of Germany to Sambia, which is now part of Russia.

Most Amber comes from the sea floor which is released once waves and other marine forces crash upon it. Amber can be picked up from the shore line and can be fished for. Many people fish for Amber using long poles and special nets. Usually the Amber that has washed up along shore is dull and dirty and must be polished. The reason for its dullness is that Amber usually rolls in the sand for long periods of time before it is eventually removed.

Commercial divers are also employed to mine certain areas of the sea floor and recover Amber from deep waters. Years ago dredging took place on certain parts of the sea in order to maximize the Amber that was either loose or still part of the sea bed. Mines are also used to dig deep into the sea crust, however usually special gallery’s are created instead of deep open holes.