Amber History

Amber is derived from the Greek word “electron” meaning “substance of the sun.” It is the oldest known gem to have been used by man for decorative and religious purposes, and objects have been found dating back at least 13,000 years ago. Amber has several unique properties that many cultures believe give it significant spiritual power. For example, amber comes in a vast spectrum of colors, and can change color when subjected to extreme temperatures. Although hard and durable, amber floats in salt water yet sinks in fresh water. When amber is carved, it gives off a very distinct scent. But what separates amber apart from any other precious stone on earth are the tiny bits of organic debris that are sometimes contained within amber. Small bits of plants and even insects millions of years old can be found perfectly preserved, suspended in the midst of an amber gem. It is wondrous traits such as these that have cemented amber’s place in our history.

 Because amber is derived from ancient tree resin from extinct species of trees dating at far back as 60 million years. It is because amber is organic that it is so rare, as conditions have to be perfect for the amber to become fossilized. As a result, there are only a few places in the world that contain significant amounts of amber.

 The largest deposit of amber in the world is in the Baltic region, from which two thirds of the world’s supply of amber is mined.  As a result, it comes as no surprise then that it is this region that amber has had the biggest influence on culture. At around 3,100-2,500 B.C. amber was used as a form of currency, and influential amber trade-routes were established that lasted for thousands of years. By the 14th century A.D, advanced amber guilds had taken root along the Baltic coast to fabricate amber into complex art forms.  Starting in the 16^th century A.D. no European pharmacy was complete without a variety of salves, balms, and ointments derived from amber in order to alleviate any number of symptoms.  To this day, amber is believed by many to have healing properties, and individuals often wear amber jewelry to ease rheumatic pain and thyroid illnesses.

The making of amber into jewelry and religious artifacts became an advanced art-form that is still the pride of Baltic countries to this day, and leading the world in the skilled master amber artisans is the Baltic country of Lithuania. Because amber is so deeply rooted in the country’s history, there is fierce competition among the many artists and manufacturers, and the exquisite amber jewelry they produce is a great source of Lithuanian pride.