The world’s finest Amber is considered to be Baltic Amber from the Baltic Sea. Amber can be found practically anywhere, underwater or underground. The European places where large quantities of Amber are found are Russia, specifically Kaliningrad, holding over 90% of the world’s Amber resources; the Baltic States – Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia, where it can be found along the coasts; Poland, where it is washed up on the shores and Ukraine, where the Ukrainian Amber is extracted, although it is not as valuable as Baltic Amber.
Baltic amber facts:
- Baltic amber in northern Europe is known as “sunstone” and “solar stone” for its golden, sun-like glow.
- Baltic Amber – Fossilized Tree Resin
- Although considered a gem, amber is a wholly-organic material derived from the resin of extinct species of trees.
- The main producer of amber worldwide is Russia. In fact about 90% of the world’s available amber is located in the Kaliningrad region of Russia, which is located on the Baltic.
- Baltic amber is the only type of amber that has a rich concentration (3-8 %) of succinic acid.
- Blue amber is the rarest of all the colors of amber.
- Cultures from all over the world have associated amber with spirits of the natural world and The Sun.
- Baltic amber is 34-48 million years old.
- The most common types of colors of amber you’ll see are honey, lemon, cognac, butterscotch, cherry, and green.
- Historically, amber was used as a talisman for courage and self-confidence, and was thought to bring good luck to warriors in battle.
- In some cultures, amber symbolizes the renewal of marriage vows and is used to assure promises.
- In Ancient Greek and Roman times, women wore amber fish, frog, and rabbit figurines to ensure fertility.
