The two main sources of amber on the market today are the Baltic states and the Dominican Republic. Amber from the Baltic states is older, and therefore in higher demand on the general market. Amber from the Dominican Republic is more likely to have inclusions and can sometimes be more valuable to collecters with this preferance.
The most common colors associated with Baltic amber are cognac, honey, green, yellow, cream, and ivory. The last few are usually associated with the oldest amber. Though most polished amber is transparent, it also can be opaque. Over 256 colors have been found and catalogued, though some commercial jewelry manufacturers simply die or shade amber for the desired shade. It is important to know if your piece is real or an imitation.
The transparency of amber makes its color the most interesting feature of amber jewelry. Unlike diamonds, which are close to completely regular and allow light to pass through in a very regular way, amber in jewelry makes light pass in a very irregular, one-in-kind way. This is due to differences in the resin properties and impurities that get into the resin before turning amber and different conditions the gemstone was created in. The transparency is actually not completely natural to amber though, and usually requires a certain level of polishing for the desired effect. The use of sterling silver provides a pleasant, shiny contrast to the gemstone, this transforms the amber jewelry to a final gorgeos piece. The fascination and attraction to amber jewelry had been revived in the 20th century and is soaring in popularity today.
Amber is one of the few gems not of mineral origin (others are ivory, pearls, etc.). This highly-prized fossil resin dripped from coniferous trees as sap millions of years ago. As geologic time progressed the forests were buried and the once liquid resin hardened into a soft, warm, golden gem, known as amber. Amber is the fossilized resin of ancient trees which formed through a natural polymerization of the original organic compounds. Most of the world's amber is between 30-65 million years old. sometimes the dripping resin trapped insects, leaves, feathers and other things we now call inclusions. Amber is also sometimes referred to as succinite.
For centuries Amber jewelry was worn only by nobility and not affordable to the genral public. As time passed however, more and more people could afford to own amber jewelry. Even today it is thought that wearing amber jewelry (such a ring, earrings, bracelet, pin or necklace) will instill confidence in the wearer, balance a person's mood, and lessen depression and anxiety.
