Many people look at amber, and all they see is a beautiful semi-precious stone, no different than jade, opal, or amethyst. But what they may not know is that amber is entirely unique. It exists in its own category of gemstone altogether.
From the unusual way it’s formed to its prehistoric connections, in this blog, we’ll dive a little deeper into what makes amber—and Baltic amber in particular—so special.
What is amber?
Amber sets itself apart from other gemstones and semi-precious stones in a number of ways. It’s been prized for its warmth and aesthetic appeal and has been used for jewellery and ornamental purposes for thousands of years. Its beauty and stunning range of colours, from pale yellow to warm, deep orange and brown shades, make it a stone that catches the eye.
And amber is organic! This stunning natural gemstone isn’t a mineral like most other gems. Amber is actually fossilised resin from trees, formed over million years.
How is amber formed?
The formation of amber is deeply rooted in the natural world.
When trees are damaged or injured, like when a crack forms down the tree’s bark, they secrete a sticky, orange coloured liquid called resin. This liquid is created in the centre of the tree and flows outward. It’s a viscous substance that doesn’t dissolve in water and hardens when exposed to the air.
This tree resin oozes from the bark and hardens in the sun, becoming a protective barrier over the tree’s damage, and keeping it safe from fungi, viruses, and other bacteria. In a way, this process is a lot like what happens when our own bodies are injured. When you get a cut or scrape, you start bleeding. Your body then sends platelets to the source of the injury to clot the blood and form a scab to keep any bacteria that could cause an infection out of the wound. These trees are no different!
The hardened resin can often fall off the tree into nearby lakes or rivers or get buried in the soil below. If the tree resin is in a protected environment, untouched by oxygen or other organisms for an extended period of time, it can take the form of the amber we know and admire today.
Real amber is usually at least 40 million years old and some amber may even be over 60 million years old. If a similar stone is younger than this, it’s technically classed as ‘copal’ rather than amber.
Amber is nature’s time capsule
One of amber’s most unique qualities is its ability to capture a snapshot of history as it happens. It’s like nature’s very own ‘wayback machine’, giving us a glimpse back in time!
Bugs, insects, and all sorts of organisms can get stuck in the resin as it oozes out of a tree. As the resin is so thick and sticky, once the creatures are caught in it, they’re not coming out. Instead, they’re preserved exactly as they are, in incredible detail, as the resin hardens and forms into amber.
It can give us an insight into organisms from millions of years ago and help further our understanding of different ecosystems and how certain creatures have evolved.
Studying the lifeforms trapped in amber can give us a valuable understanding of how Earth’s ecosystems have changed, and how certain creatures evolved over time. Here are a few of the most notable discoveries linked to organisms found in amber over the years:
- The oldest arthropod found in amber: Palaeontologists identified two mites thought to be around 230 million years old in a piece of amber fossil resin in the Dolomite Alps in northeastern Italy. These mites date back to the Triassic period—a time before even flowers had evolved!
- The first chameleon ancestors: Twelve lizards found preserved in Burmese amber in Myanmar were reported to be around 100 million years old. Studies on these fossils found that they were some of the first chameleons and geckos to ever exist.
- Dinosaur feathers: One of the most impressive findings trapped in amber fossil resins is the feathered tail of a dinosaur, also found in Myanmar. This young dinosaur was said to be a Coelurosaur that likely lived 99 million years ago!
Amber can capture a moment in time—even from millions of years ago—in remarkable detail, giving researchers a fascinating insight into the past in a way that no other gemstone can.
What makes Baltic amber special
The amber that we’re familiar with doesn’t come in only one variety. There are countless types of amber available; green amber, blue amber, Dominican amber, and Baltic amber are just a few.
Baltic amber is often considered to be the highest-quality and most valued kind of amber in the world. But why is that?
As its name suggests, this type of amber is from the Baltic region, which includes Poland, Germany, Lithuania and Latvia—all the countries that border the Baltic Sea. This region is the single largest source of amber, not only in Europe but anywhere in the world.
Baltic amber often contains tiny hairs (likely from the male flowers of oak trees) as well as small pyrite crystals—unique features that don’t appear in other kinds of amber.
Unlike other gemstones, Baltic amber contains a chemical called succinic acid. This chemical is said to have anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving properties. The stone even features in several stories and tales throughout history, appearing in Lithuanian, Latvian, Greek, and Norse mythology!
This beautiful stone is more than just something pretty to look at. It’s nature’s way of capturing and preserving itself. It can help us understand the history of our planet and how species have evolved over time. It’s a peek into our planet’s past from thousands or even millions of years ago.
A piece of authentic Baltic amber can be yours
With over 25 years of expertise at our disposal, we know genuine Baltic amber when we see it. We believe you deserve only the best and most beautiful amber available, so each piece is meticulously selected, crafted into jewellery by skilled artists in the Baltic region.
Sapfire jewellery contains the highest quality, 100% authentic Baltic amber available. We never press our amber, so its natural colour, texture, and integrity remain intact—just as nature intended.
Browse our Baltic amber collection and experience this extraordinary natural gem for yourself.
