Amber is an ancient resin that has been petrified. Scientists believe that amber is more than 40 million years old. This is an organic fossil that has acquired density under the influence of environmental conditions and turned into a beautiful, bright stone. What characteristics amber has, the density of the mineral and other properties will be discussed in the article.

General physical characteristics

Amber is an organic mineral that does not form crystals. The chemical formula is C10H16O, the composition contains succinic acid in an amount of 3-8%. Stone extracted from the earth contains particles of insects and plants, which is especially valuable in the jewelry industry.

The mineral has the following properties:

• Hardness is in the range of 2-2.5-3.
• Transparency - full, medium, no transparency.
• The shine is like glass.
• Dispersions and pleochroisms do not occur.
• Luminescence - from bluish-white to green-yellow.
• Can become electrified under friction conditions.

Amber dissolves in certain hydrocarbons under chemical reaction conditions.

Forms of mineral in nature

In nature, future amber is found in the form of formations of any size in the following places:

• on the trunks after the resin flows through the tree,
• under tree bark, in hollows and other voids.

Near-surface discharge occurs in the form of drop-shaped deposits and plates with inclusions and marks of branches, bark, and tree trunk.

Discharges from the intra-trunk areas are concave plates with narrow edges.

Under natural conditions, the mineral is covered with a dark crust. Its thickness is from 1 to 4 mm. When not completely processed, the stone often acquires an interesting color. The weathering crust protects the mineral for many years.

Secondary forms of resinous secretions, which were formed in sea and river waters, under glacial and geological conditions, are smaller in size compared to the primary ones.

The mass of the amber pieces found can range from a few fractions of a gram to ten or more kilograms.

The largest amber is in the London History Museum, its mass is 15 kg 250 grams.

Density

Professionals and lovers of the mineral are often interested in the question of what the density of amber is. This property should be discussed in more detail.

The mineral amber, whose density is 0.97-1.10, is comparable in this characteristic to sea water. That is, sea water has the same density. Therefore, in water it floats to the top, but in fresh water it’s the other way around. That is why the mineral is so stable and does not wear off for many millions of years.

In the sea, pieces of amber float freely on top. Unaltered amber has a density in the range from 1 to 1.18 g/cm³. It is measured by weighing in a heavy liquid. In the Lviv region there is amber, the density of which is greatest. It is 1.14. In Ciscarpathia and Primorye, the density of amber is much less. Experts determine it in the range of 1.04-1.1 g/cm 3 .

What is the density of amber in altered specimens? This parameter is much higher in weathered minerals. It is 1.08 g/cm³. The density of the brown weathering crust itself is 116 g/cm³. The highest density of amber in g/cm3 of weathered specimens was noted in stones from the Ciscarpathian region; it is equal to 1.15-1.22.

What does this value depend on? In some cases, it is directly related to the presence of impurities in it. It can be iron, nitrogen, sulfur, aluminum. In stones with iron impurities, the highest density of amber is recorded; in kg/m3 it is 1220. However, in other cases, the exact opposite relationship is observed. When experts measured the density of amber in the vicinity of Lviv, the opposite situation was recorded. From these data, scientists came to the conclusion that the density of the mineral is determined by the composition of the resin from which the stone was formed.

Thus, the average density of amber is 1100 kg/m³, this is the value accepted by physicists and chemists in their calculations.

Other physical properties

A candle flame can melt a mineral, and at a temperature of 250-300 it begins to boil. When heated, the stone begins to smolder, burn and emit a resinous smell. It is on this basis that a genuine mineral is distinguished from an artificial one.

In the Middle Ages, they used the property of the mineral to emit an amazing resinous smell when heated and fumigated rooms with it.

Oil, acid and rosin are obtained from amber.

The ability of a mineral to become electrified as a result of friction is known, after which various small particles are attracted to it. The property was first discovered by the ancient Greek scientist Thales of Miletus. Later, after discovering blue sparks when amber was rubbed on wool, the mineral was named electron.

The stone has excellent electrical insulation.

Place of Birth

The largest amber deposit is Palmnikenskoye in the Kaliningrad region. Here in the soil there are extensive deposits of the mineral. Experts believe that this area contains 90% of the world's total supply of stone, which is more than 50 million years old.

In addition to Palmnikensky, there are two other amber sites in the Kaliningrad region: Primorsky and Plyazhevy. Mineral extraction is carried out using the quarry method, by breaking and eroding soil structures with water jets.

On average, each cubic meter of land contains 500-600 grams of mineral, but there are also places with 4.5 kg/m³. The annual volume of mineral production is 300-350 tons.

Small deposits have been found in the USA, Canada, Mexico, Romania, Germany, the Dominican Republic, and Ukraine.

Varieties

In nature, there are a large number of varieties of this amazing stone, their number exceeds 200. The most common:

1. Succinite is the most famous of all types. It contains a large amount of succinic acid. The color of succinite is white, yellow, orange, red.
2. Glessite is a brown stone with no transparency.
3. Gedanite is a yellow mineral without succinic acid in its composition; it has increased fragility due to the smallest amount of oxygen.
4. Stanthienite is a cloudy black-brown mineral with high fragility.
5. Bokkerite is a light-proof brown mineral.
6. Kiscellite is yellow or olive amber.
7. Schraufit is a red or yellow-red mineral.
8. Blue amber is the rarest species found in the Dominican Republic. It is very hard and glows in a dark place. This mineral received its blue color due to impurities of volcanic ash.
9. Green amber is also a specimen from the Dominican deposit. This color of the mineral is due to inclusions of coal.

Colors and transparency

The color palette of amber is unusually wide - from ivory to black. Even one piece of mineral can combine different degrees of transparency. Stones of varying degrees of transparency are divided into:

• cloudy;
• translucent;
• bone;
• frothy.

With all its diversity, amber has predominantly warm yellow and honey shades. In rare cases, a blue color is recorded - from light sky to cornflower blue.

What determines the price of a mineral?

The price of the mineral depends on the size of the piece and its color.

The white variety of amber has long been considered the most valuable. Experts say that such specimens contain the least amount of impurities and have the most excellent healing properties.

The Chinese and Japanese prize a variety of cherry blossom called "dragon's blood." Such stones belonged to members of the ruling family.

The Emperor of Rome, Nero, preferred black amber.

The brightest fiery amber is found in Sicily.

The most expensive type is considered to be landscape, as well as mineral interspersed with particles of insects, animals, etc. Amber is known to contain a lizard inside. Such a copy has a cost of several tens of thousands of dollars. But such examples are quite rare.

In history, red amber was valued; later, golden amber was preferred.

In eastern countries, white varieties of the mineral were considered especially valuable, which were endowed with powerful healing powers.

Nowadays, a yellow mineral with a uniform color is considered high quality.

Medicinal properties

Since ancient times, the stone has been attributed medicinal properties. This is explained by the succinic acid included in the composition, which is a biostimulant.

The mineral was used for the following diseases:

Nowadays the mineral is also used:

• to eliminate headaches;
• in the treatment of sore throat;
• for joint pain;
• to improve metabolism;
• boosting immunity;
• normalization of intestinal function;
• elimination of inflammatory processes.

There is an opinion that amber cures any tumors.

In alternative medicine, amber objects and stone chips are used, added to medicines.

Healers believe that the mineral has a positive effect on the human body and can help against any disease.

Application

The mineral is actively used to create jewelry. Succinic acid is found in some medical preparations and is also used in the agricultural industry to increase crop yields. Chemists use amber to produce enamels and paints. Amber varnish is used to cover furniture, electrical wiring, and cans. Having good insulating properties, amber acts as an insulator in the technical industry.

In this article:

Amber was formed from hardened tree resin. It has many different shades, shapes, and is famous for its healing and magical properties. Where is amber used?

In jewelry and souvenirs

Most often I use amber in jewelry production. The stone is used to make beautiful, unusual jewelry. It is processed, which gives the stone radiance, shape, and shine. Amber products are varied: pendants, beads, brooches, earrings, rings, bracelets. In a precious frame, amber looks simply magical. There is amber with inclusions of insects, bubbles, feathers, it is very valuable and original.

Amber stone

Amber jewelry is made by hand, making it unique. Amber beads and bracelets are used not only for beauty, but also for medicinal purposes.

Amber is used to make souvenirs: figurines, watches, boxes, pyramids and even chess. Amber is used to make amulets for cars and drivers. Plates that are made by hand look interesting. They can depict castles, maps of countries, shrines, and paintings. They also make cups, spoons, and forks from amber. It is believed that such dishes neutralize poisons and create a positive mood, and also look very beautiful, festive and warm.

Souvenir keychains, a mirror framed with amber inlay, icons, candlesticks, pens, magnets, bonsai trees - from such a variety you can choose an excellent gift for your family and friends. Amber souvenirs are not only aesthetically beautiful, but will also bring joy, happiness, health and good luck.

In medicine and cosmetology

The use of amber is in great demand in medicine, as its medicinal properties have long been valued. It contains a lot of useful substances: iron, potassium, iodine, zinc.

Amber oil is used in the following cases:

• For treating injuries, sprains, and warming up muscles.
• For massage of the neck, back, lower back. Massage warms and relieves pain.
• The oil is rubbed for pneumonia, colds, bronchitis, it has an expectorant effect.
• Rubbing helps with arthritis, myositis, osteitis, the oil relieves pain and restores metabolic processes.

Amber stone is used to treat headaches, tumors, and the thyroid gland. It is believed that if you apply the stone to your throat, it will help treat the endocrine system and fight wrinkles.

Amber powder is widely used in medicine and cosmetology:

• Helps restore skin, improve firmness and elasticity, remove pigmentation, and promote rejuvenation.
• The powder is also used to make tooth powder, which is used to treat gums.
• To treat hemorrhoids, amber powder is mixed with honey and ghee, heated in a water bath, and candles are made. They relieve pain, inflammation and swelling.
• Suppositories with powder are also used to treat the cervix.
• Amber powder is used to strengthen hair and exfoliate.
• For itching after insect bites.
• For purulent ulcers and wounds.
• For the treatment of cracked feet.

Amber is also used in folk medicine. Decoctions and infusions of amber help fight intestinal diseases, bronchitis, tracheitis, insomnia, and tuberculosis. Compresses are used to treat purulent wounds.

Application of amber

Other Applications

Amber is popular in art. If waste remains during the processing of amber, it is used to decorate paintings. After all, the shades of amber fit harmoniously into nature; autumn or sunshine looks especially beautiful in paintings.

There is a masterpiece of art in the world - the Amber Room. Its height is 7.8 meters, area - 100 square meters. Six tons of amber were used to decorate the room, and the huge nugget that was used here weighed about a kilogram. The room looks simply divine, the shine of the stones is emphasized by beautiful candlesticks, figurines, leaves, flowers - everything is made of nuggets. The Amber Room is considered the eighth wonder of the world.

Amber stone is a truly amazing creation of nature. The unique properties of fossilized tree resin became known to man thousands of years ago. And now natural amber is widely used in medicine, in various industries and, of course, in jewelry. This solar gem is surrounded by myths and legends, and its unusual appearance always attracts attention.

As archaeological finds by scientists have shown, the sunstone amber was processed by people who inhabited our planet back in Neolithic times. The archives of the British Museum contain documentary evidence that this material was actively used as early as the tenth century BC. It is known, for example, that the nobility of ancient Rome preferred various luxury items with amber inlay.

What amber was was also known in Egypt, where objects made from it were used during various rituals. At the same time, the balsamic properties that fossilized resin possesses were discovered. Legends about amber have circulated since the times of Ancient Greece, where it was believed that this “stone of the Sun” could help warriors win victories over the most serious opponents.

Useful information about the benefits of amber can be found in the great works of such scientists as Hippocrates, Avicenna, and Pliny. All of them noted its extraordinary healing effect on the human body. Both in China and during the Middle Ages in Europe, treatment with amber was popular and its use not only as decoration, but also as a powerful amulet against evil spirits.

Ilektr (or ilektron) is the name of amber in Ancient Rus'. During excavations on the territory of modern Novgorod, workshops were found in which its processing was carried out. Amber jewelry was in great demand, as were various crafts. If there was a surplus of raw materials coming from the Baltic states, they were sold to the countries of Central Asia and the East.

Description and properties

The origin of amber remained a mystery for a long time. It was only in the 19th century that scientists came to a common conclusion about how amber is formed. They found that it was hardened resin from coniferous trees, several tens of millions of years old.

Png" alt="" width="80" height="68"> The largest deposits are located on the Baltic coast. It is in these places that succinite amber is mined, which is of the highest quality and most expensive. In addition to the “Baltic gold”, there are other varieties that were discovered on the American continent, in the Dominican Republic, and in Europe (Poland, Germany, Ukraine).

The largest amber in the world is Burmese amber. Pieces found in Burma reach a weight of several kilograms.

Natural amber (chemical formula C10H16O) is an amorphous substance that does not have a crystalline structure. This is why it is not a gemstone. Consisting mainly of carbon, it also contains various impurities (silicon, aluminum, iron, copper, manganese and others).

Its physical properties are also interesting:

• Has good electrical conductivity.
• When exposed to ultraviolet light it begins to luminesce.
• If you place an amber stone in fresh water, it will swell after a long time.
• Disappears when reacting with turpentine, alcohol, nitric acid.
• Changes its state when heated. It softens at 150°C, melts and burns when heated to 350°C, and decomposes when the temperature increases to 1000°C.

Raw amber is mined in various ways. In ancient times, it was simply collected on the coast when the shiny orange pebbles washed up by the sea. Sometimes it was possible to use nets to collect algae in which sparkling samples were entangled. Over time, mining moved to the sea, with valuable material dredged directly from the bottom. Then they began to harrow the area near the sea or dig up amber. Since the beginning of the 19th century, mining has been carried out through open pits.

Variety of colors

It seems surprising, but the color of amber can be very diverse. Depending on the impurities included in the composition, the shade also changes. Nowadays, more than two hundred and fifty different colors are known that ancient hardened resin can acquire.

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Classic types of amber are transparent stones that have a rich yellow or orange-red color and shimmer with gold. Sometimes it is possible to find a specimen where a piece of an ancient plant or an insect remains inside a drop of resin. Pebbles with such inclusions are unique and cost an order of magnitude higher.

Red amber is also found in nature. This stone earned special honor and popularity among the Japanese and Chinese. They gave it the name "dragon's blood" because of its rich cherry hue. Jewelry inlaid with it could only be worn by very rich and respected people, members of a dynasty of rulers. This unusual color was obtained as a result of exposure to very high temperatures, namely fires, which affected the shade of the resin.

White amber is very attractive, although in reality it is not that way. This is just a yellow variety that has small particles of water and air wedged into its structure, turning the existing color white. A stone of this color is called differently: milky amber or royal amber. And if particles of soil and plants got into the resin before it hardened, the result was a green tint.

An interesting story is associated with amber, the color of which can vary from pale blue to bright cornflower blue. Previously, it was thought that this color was given by the mineral vivianite, which is part of the composition. But then it turned out that this was due to an optical illusion - light is refracted in very small voids, which makes such an unusual coloring possible.

The most popular varieties are the following:

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The beneficial properties of amber are as varied as its color palette.

Medicinal properties

The healing properties of amber have been known to people for a very long time. Even ancient healers believed that this gem could cure any disease and improve human health. Modern lipotherapists agree with ancient practices and actively use this stone in medicine.

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Amber is very useful for the thyroid gland, as it contains iodine, which is useful in the treatment and prevention of diseases of this organ. In addition, it has a positive effect on metabolism, which helps normalize weight. This will also be facilitated by the property of the stone to cleanse the body of slagging.

Succinic acid, which is a natural biostimulant, and crumbs are used to prepare medications that are indicated for colds and diseases of the respiratory system. Even the smoke that is released during combustion is recognized as beneficial. With its help you can cure cough and alleviate the condition of asthma patients. And if you smoke tobacco using an amber mouthpiece, you can reduce the harmful effects on the body.

Amber relieves inflammation and has a bactericidal effect. It can relieve toothache and joint pain. And if you apply pieces of it to your temples, your headache will go away. You will improve the functioning of your heart and blood vessels. Amber will help get rid of stress and will be useful in the treatment and prevention of cancer. It is used to treat skin diseases and strengthen teeth.

By learning the healing properties of amber and who can benefit from wearing it, you can improve your health and get rid of many problems.

Magic properties

The magical properties of amber are very diverse. Since very ancient times, it has been used as an incredibly powerful amulet and used in various rituals. This sunstone has always been and continues to be a symbol of happiness and longevity. Such a talisman will always protect its owner from all sorts of negativity from the outside world. Red amber was most often used for various magical rituals.

If you ask the question about who amber is suitable for, you cannot get a definite answer. It will have its magical effect depending on what a person needs at the moment. It will give creative people inspiration and strength to create. It will help people who are depressed to overcome this condition. It will give confidence to those who do not dare to take a step and begin some new stage in life. It is better for romantic people to have royal amber with them, which will help cope with the suffering of love.

It is believed that amber is an excellent amulet for the home. He will be able to protect the home from fires and thieves, create a favorable atmosphere, ensuring harmony in the family. Keeping an amber piece near your bed will help you fall asleep more easily. Bad thoughts and bad dreams will stop bothering you. An amber amulet will be useful for women who are expecting the birth of a child. And white amber will protect the baby from diseases of the evil eye.

Compatibility with zodiac signs

According to astrologers, amber is a solar stone that is most suitable for people born under the signs of the element of Fire.

Jpg" alt="Lion" width="60" height="60">.jpg" alt="Aries" width="60" height="60">.jpg" alt="Sagittarius" width="60" height="60"> Для Льва, Овна и Стрельца он будет лучшим выбором, усиливая положительные качества, присущие им. Такой талисман сможет защитить от порчи и сглаза, в разы увеличить интуитивные способности и дать еще больше жизненной силы.!}

Signs of Water and Air can safely wear amber and enjoy its support. For these signs it will also become a symbol of health and happiness.

Jpg" alt="" width="60" height="60"> But this stone is not suitable for Taurus at all. Nobody forbids Taurus to wear amber jewelry, but this will not be of any benefit. It may also happen that people Those born under this sign will become overly irritable and will not be able to focus on important moments in life. They can become lazy and apathetic, like other Earth signs.

However, there is another opinion, according to which the Zodiac Signs do not matter at all when choosing an amulet. Amber has such powerful energy that it can choose its owner. If this is not your stone, then you will definitely feel it yourself and will not wear such jewelry.

How to care for amber

Data-lazy-type="image" data-src="https://karatto.ru/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/yantar-11.jpg" alt=" amber jewelry" width="130" height="223">!} In order for amber jewelry to serve you as long as possible, it is important to properly care for it. Amber is a fairly soft material, so it should not be allowed to constantly interact with metal and hard products. If your jewelry becomes dirty, clean it using only water. Any cleaning products or rough brushes will damage its surface.

Do not allow the product to overheat to avoid deformation. If you do notice that the gem has changed shape or become cloudy, then jewelry professionals will be able to help in this situation. Store amber items in the dark, avoiding them hitting the sides of the box. When choosing what to wear amber with, give preference to a gold or copper frame.

Png" alt="" width="80" height="80"> If you decide to purchase a beautiful piece of honey amber jewelry, you should know that there are also fakes. Natural material can be distinguished using the following tips:

1. Examine the product carefully. The color of natural stone cannot be uniform. Each piece has a unique pattern, for example, like landscape amber, which is incredibly valued by jewelers. You should also be confused by the large presence of air bubbles and sparkles.
2. Hold the stone in your hands. A real gem is pleasant to touch, it is warm.
3. If you dip amber beads (or any other item) into a very salty solution, they will float to the surface. The fake will sink to the bottom.
4. If you rub amber, it will show its electrostatic properties and will be able to attract pieces of paper.
5. By slightly heating natural amber, you will feel a pine smell. The artificial product will emit an unpleasant plastic smell.

Amber is a unique gift from nature, which not only delights with its extraordinary appearance, but also surprises with its diverse and very useful properties for humans.

Let's talk about what amber is, how and where it is mined.

This resin will take a very long time before it becomes stone.

There has been heated debate among scientists for a long time about what amber is. But now this is known for sure.

Amber is a resin. It is mined like a fossil mineral. Used as and in . In ancient times, this mineral was used as fuel because it burns well.

Due to different climatic conditions, the mineral has its own unique color in each area. Therefore, Baltic stone cannot be confused with Caribbean or any other stone. Each stone has its own regional characteristics.

Origin of amber

Even ancient scientists came to the conclusion that amber is of plant origin. The Roman scientists Pliny and Tacitus pointed out the specific plant smell when rubbing the mineral, as well as the fact that small animals also smelled it. Tacitus believed that amber was the frozen juice of plants that fell into the sea.

The 16th century German mineralogist Agricola believed that the mineral was of inorganic origin.

In the 18th century, the theory of plant origin was confirmed by the Swede Linnaeus, a famous botanist. A little later, Russian scientist Mikhail Lomonosov came to the same conclusion.

Scientists have proven that the amber stone that is now mined was formed more than 40 million years ago from amber-bearing pines, that is, it is of plant origin. At that time they grew in North America, Greenland, and Eurasia. Under the influence of climatic conditions, resin was released, which petrified and fell over the years. The coming sea carried her away from the shores.

There are huge deposits in our area amber. At one time, uneducated people used it instead of firewood, burning a fortune in the firebox. Later, when everyone knew the true value of this sun stone, people were swept away" amber fever"They washed up the earth in tons, destroyed entire hectares of forests in search of amber. I myself have several amber pebbles, my grandfather gave them to me and told me where this stone was mined from, so I have been familiar with amber since childhood.

Amber is a fossilized resin

Amber is petrified resin, or hardened conifer resin. It has been known to people since ancient times. It was mainly used to make jewelry and valuable items, but sometimes this stone was used in medicine, alchemy and esotericism. Amber has several names: combustible stone, sun stone, heat stone.

Amber is judged by its transparency and the number of foreign inclusions, It is precisely based on these characteristics that the stone is classified as:

• transparent;
• cloudy;
• bastard;
• bone;
• frothy.

The most dear there will be transparent amber, and the most cheap- foamy. Also, the stone can have different colors, which is explained by foreign components included in its structure. You can often see in amber frozen insects - these stones are the most expensive.

Amber deposit

They are located all over the world, but the largest amount of sunstone is found near the coasts Baltic Sea, Indonesia, and Saxony. Russia ranks first in the extraction and export of amber. In the Kaliningrad region, in the settlement Yantarn, the world's largest amber quarry is located. Large deposits of this stone are also found in Denmark, Poland, Germany, Ukraine and Belarus.

Uses of amber

Since ancient times, amber has been used as gem, decorating crowns, rings, brooches, earrings, pendants with them. Izantar is made sculptures, figurines, combs, watches, masks. Amber shavings painting pictures. The presence of amber products among rich people indicated their high status. This stone is also used to obtain succinic acid, amber varnish, rosin.

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Marquise, my very first cat, had bright amber eyes. Throughout my childhood, she warmed my bed every day, but last year she passed away - alas, the cat’s life is not that long. In memory of my furry darling, I acquired a pendant with amber. At the same time I figured it out in more detail, what is amber and how to check its authenticity.

What is amber

Amber- frozen beauty, representing hardened pine tree resin. There may be inside:

What can be passed off as amber?

Cunning sellers also want to eat. Sometimes they brazenly deceive, slipping in instead of real amber:

Real or fake

Sometimes the deception is so high-quality that only a professional can figure it out. And yet there are some signs that indicate fake amber.

Firstly, this Rreaction to acetone(it can be found in solvent or nail polish remover). Even the slightest drop will hopelessly ruin a fake, real amber she won't hurt.

A fairly easy check - on mmagnetic properties. Need to rub pebble about wool sweater. Hair magnetized and obediently move after a potential purchase - you can safely shell out your money.

If you are not purchasing a metal ring or pendant, but just a stone, dip it into a glass of salted water. A fake, unlike real amber, will sink to the bottom like a stone.

If you were unable to complete all the previous points, weigh the amber on your hand. He should be pretty easy. But it is also heavier than a plastic product of similar sizes. And pay attention to bubble shape. They should have a perfectly round shape.

And here too smooth frozen insects or plants - reason to be wary: They were most likely placed there intentionally. This means that the pebble is made by human hands. Also suspicious will perfectly smooth structure. The resin is not poured into molds, which means that the inside will not be uniform.

In the store, after half an hour of such tricks, they looked at me like I was crazy. But I was definitely sure that I bought a worthwhile thing!

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Comments0

Amber is such a beautiful stones that are extremely common in some regions of our large globe. Not everyone held it in their hands, but many saw it at least in pictures or photographs. I lived for some time in a region where amber mining was in full swing, so I’ll tell you about what amber is b, where does it come from and why is it needed at all.

Amber - an ancient stone

Amber is a fairly ancient stone. Once upon a time, they were formed from resin flowing down trees.

Probably everyone has seen tree resin? Maybe someone has tried it (like me, for example).

I won’t write complex chemical formulas or describe processes here. I will only say that the released resin polymerizes through complex natural mechanisms and gradually turns into a fossil.

• In order for the stone to be preserved for many years, it must be hidden under sedimentary rocks; if the stone is left outside, then nothing will happen. And so amber lay in the ground for a thousand years, until people discovered it and began to mine it.
• At first they just admired the stones, but then they learned how to process them and make them:
• decorations;
• interior details;

just souvenirs; and even furniture. If anyone doubts that the furniture could be made of amber, I advise them to go and look at

Amber room

. Everything there is made from amber. Where is amber even found? Amber deposits are found on the Baltic coast. The largest number of deposits are concentrated there; numerous jewelry pieces are made from Baltic amber. There are also deposits of amber

in Ukraine, in the forests of the Volyn region. In all these regions, amber mining is a serious business, in some places private and in others state-owned. The most famous deposits are located in the Dominican Republic. Grades, of course. there are different ones, but personally I think that the local amber is purer than other types of amber. I have to believe

I have held a lot of amber jewelry in my hands

Comments0

, and even by their appearance I can tell where the pebbles from which these beads (for example) were made came from. Helpful1 1 Not very helpful, with fish scales frozen inside, ordered a ring from a jeweler and gave it to me when I was born. Every time I put on this jewelry, I look at the stone for a long time, I am surprised and admired how amazing and unusual it is nature creates masterpieces.

What do I know about amber

People call him "tears of pine" and not in vain, because amber is fossilized polymerized conifer resin, growing on our planet millions of years ago. And, like any pine tree, you can find stuck insects, tadpoles, fish scales or pine needles in it. Such amber is considered especially valuable. Can you imagine, even such a piece of amber was found in which The whole frog was preserved. This unique stone was found in the Dominican Republic in 1997 and is valued at $50,000.

Properties of amber

• it does not form crystals;
• becomes electrified during friction;
• refracts light into two components;
• combustible;
• in the open air it “ages” and becomes fragile.

The richest deposits of this stone have been discovered in countries Baltic Sea and Dominican Republic.

History of amber

This sunny, beautiful stone was honored back in Neolithic times. Jewelry and religious objects were found by archaeologists in Moravia, Australia and the Hautes Pyrenees. Egyptian priests made special incense burners from amber, and ground small stones into powder, which was used to embalm the pharaohs. Hippocrates, Avicenna, Pliny were sure that the stone has healing properties. And Neuron found peace by fingering and looking at the amber beads in the sun.

The stone also had its own magical history. For example, Greeks believed that an amulet with amber would bring victory in battle, and they called "electr" - "shining". A Slavs wore necklaces to protect yourself from evil spirits. The Germans were convinced that amber beads would make teething painless for babies. IN Italy, depending on what kind of figure was cut out of it, this is how it “worked”: a fish - for a good catch, a shell - for a rich harvest. Since the stone burns well and also smells pleasant, it was used to fumigate newlyweds for good luck and to protect newborns from evil spirits.

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For many, including me, amber appears as a basis for beautiful jewelry. However, at the institute, during chemistry classes, it was popularly explained to us that amber has other important application. In particular, amber is also used in perfumes, and in pharmaceuticals, and in paint industry. We even “brewed” amber varnish ourselves, which can be used for musical instruments. I don’t know what we succeeded in, but, in the opinion of many researchers, it was amber varnish allowed Amati and Stradivarius violins preserve its sound to this day.

What is amber: origin and care features

The peculiarity of amber is due to the fact that it is resin, which flowed out of coniferous plants and petrified. In ancient times, conifers were distinguished viscous substance, which has accumulated on the earth's surface. When the Earth's surface changed, this substance became underwater or underground, and over the next 30-60 million years it turned into today's amber, petrified and hardened.

These factors determine, for example, the proper care and use of amber jewelry:

• it is advisable to store amber at more or less constant temperature, without sudden changes;
• Direct contact with amber must be avoided with chemistry and perfumery;
• jewelry should only be taken in clean hands, since any fats harm the stone;
• Under no circumstances should the products be exposed to mechanical stress, throw or drop.

Amber in human life

Unprocessed amber is still found in caves which were used by primitive people. In ancient times it was believed that amber was endowed properties of magic, and the Greeks and Romans believed that a person could protect himself in various ways with the help of amber diseases and witchcraft. The value of a small amber item was higher than the value of a slave. In the 15th century, even Martin Luther, a religious preacher, carried in my pocket amber to avoid kidney stones.

I was very impressed the Amber Room, which was recreated on the occasion of the 300th anniversary of St. Petersburg. Of course, it would be interesting to see the original. The Amber Room is probably the most famous piece of amber. It was presented to Peter I in 1716 by King Frederick I of Prussia. In 1942, during the war, from the Tsarskoye Selo Palace, the Nazis they took this room out, and since then it has been considered disappeared without a trace. Searching for that same room have not been stopped yet.

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I recently received a wonderful gift from my mother - gold earrings with an incredible amber stone. I admired them for a long time, studied the ancient flies that were forever frozen in their last flight, and was interested in the properties of this stone. After all, for me, as a Leo according to the horoscope, amber is the most suitable. This stone is also very healing.

Amber and its deposits

According to legend, amber was formed from the tears of the wife of the Sun God, who mourned her dead son. But in general, amber is formed from petrified pine tree resin. Once, while vacationing in the Carpathians, I found pine resin and told my husband that I would take care of it and wait for it to turn into amber. To which my husband replied that I would have to wait for millions of years. Indeed, this stone is formed from conifer resins, which grew tens of millions of years ago, and which were flooded by the World Ocean.

Where are they located? amber deposits:

• Baltic region (80-90% of world reserves);
• Yucatan Peninsula;
• Dominican Republic;
• Ukraine.

Over the course of a century, the process of extracting amber has remained virtually unchanged. 90% amber lies approximately depth of 90 meters.

Amber identification

How to determine if the stone you are holding in your hands is real? Amber - flammable stone, it will flare up from an ordinary match . He's hard. Rosin, plastic and other fakes will crumble easily. And also “the gift of the sun” It has your specific forest aroma.

Amber medicinal

Amber heals. But modern medicine acknowledges only several healing properties"sun" stone. Only very recently some medications began to be produced from succinic acid. In ancient times they used a whole stone. What does amber help to treat:

• softens the effect of weather on the body;
• relieves attacks of bronchial asthma
• prevents colds;
• cures rheumatism.

Amber mainly used for making jewelry, so wear it closer to your problem area. For example, an amber brooch attached to the belt will help remove toxins from the body. And also this stone improves health And on an emotional level. It helps to open the fifth chakra, gain self-confidence, self-realization and awaken creative powers.

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My first acquaintance with this most interesting gem took place in deep childhood. I had a spider brooch with a transparent yellow belly; my mother always put it on my hat so that the headdress would not slide down over my eyes. Until I was eighteen years old, I was in unshakable confidence that this family heirloom was made of silver and real amber, until a jeweler I knew explained to me that it was cupronickel and epoxy. A year later, having visited in Kaliningrad, I still bought myself a similar spider, but with natural amber.

Amber concept

It is not a stone or a mineral, it is an organic compound, the hardened resin of evergreen trees, who grew up on Earth long before Homo sapiens appeared on it.

Here Some amazing facts about this fossil gem:

• its age is 40-300 million (!) years;
• despite the fact that the resin was produced by coniferous trees, not a single needle was ever found in amber, which is why it is still not possible to determine their type;
• the color of amber is not only yellow or orange, but also red, white, green and even blue;
• The word “electricity” comes from the Greek name for amber., because if you rub a gem with a piece of woolen fabric, it begins to attract small objects;
• due to the ability of amber to mummify living organisms, scientists managed to get acquainted with more than a thousand species of insects that have not lived on our planet for a long time;
• the same one This feature of the gem was actively used in ancient Egypt to turn pharaohs into mummies;
• amber burns well and at the same time smells deliciously of resin;
• about 90% of all amber reserves on the planet belong to our country, therefore the only industrial enterprise in the world for its extraction is located in the Kaliningrad region.

Amber Storms

The Baltic Sea generously shares amber with people, but There is a greater chance of finding a piece of frozen resin on the coast after a storm.

Most abundant storms got very poetic name "amber" and went down in history. This happened:

• in 1800(then we managed to collect 150 barrels of amber);
• 1 862(the sea became generous with two tons of gems);
• 1878(so much amber washed ashore that there is not even information about its mass, it is only known that it was collected for more than one year);
• 1914(The Baltic Sea gave people about a ton of gems).

Do you also think it’s time for another amber storm? It's decided to go on vacation! :)