About Amber…

Amber, known to the ancient Greeks as elektron, is a fossilized resin from prehistoric trees, primarily the pine tree Pinus succinifera. Specimens of amber may be as much as 140 million years old, however Baltic amber generally dates between 35 and 45 million years. Known to the Russians as Sun Stones, amber has been used by humans since prehistoric times. Over the last several thousand years amber has been used as currency, jewelry, for mystical purposes, as a healing aid, and as medicine.

Legends say that amber will turn away the evil eye, cure coughs, earaches, headaches, sore throats, rheumatic problems, respiratory ailments and a variety of other health problems. It has been used in mystical rites by the ancient Germanic peoples and by the ancient Celts. It has been prized as a jewel by almost every ancient culture. The oldest document occurrence of amber being used as jewelry was discovered in Southern England in an ancient cavern known as Gough's cave. Amber beads dating between 11,000 and 9,000 years B.C. were found in the cave.

It was during the Bronze Age (about 3000 years B.C.) that amber began to be traded throughout the known world. Amber trade routes were established that ran across Europe in the Far East. Baltic amber dating from this period has been found in Greece, Egypt, Ireland, and Mesopotamia.

Amber has been treasured by every great culture in history. The Greeks called it electron. The Romans sent a knight to the far North to locate the source of the "Northern Gold". It was a primary commodity for the Phoenicians and the Etruscans. The Anglo-Saxon's and the Celts prized it greatly. Today amber is prized the world over. It's beauty, warmth, and gorgeous colors make amber a versatile and greatly valued gem.