Amber

Amber occurs in different colours but the most common is yellow. There are other colours of amber such as red (cherry amber), green and even blue amber! Blue amber is the rarest colour and commands the highest price among ambers. Amber is actually fossilized tree resin and is usually millions of years old. Because it was originally tree resin which is liquid, amber can often trap small insects inside it which was the basis of Steven Spielberg’s movie about getting dinosaurs’ DNA. But scientifically, such a notion is absurd since DNA material cannot last that long but “Jurassic Park” is good for entertainment purposes.

Amber Stones

Soft or semi-fossilized amber is called opal. The most desired amber is the transparent type but opaque or cloudy amber is common. Amber is a unique gemstone since it is actually not a mineral in itself but as stated earlier came from tree resins that had hardened enough to make it suitable as an “ornamental stone” in jewellery making. When heated enough up to 200 degrees centigrade, it decomposes and turns to liquid again. Beautiful amber is similar to glass because you can really see through it. Amber has been traded since antiquity.

Amber Earrings

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