Amber, a treasure in its own right, is also the golden window to long ago. All Amber can be traced to resin that oozed and flowed down pine trees millions of years ago to protect the trees from disease. While it flowed, the resin trapped insects, seeds and a host of other interesting vegetation. Over time, this resin hardened by evaporation and chemical changes and became what we know as Amber. The objects that were trapped inside are called inclusions.
Although Amber has been found throughout the world, one of the worlds' oldest amber collections is from the central Appalachian region of the United States, but the richest and largest amber deposits are in the Baltic Sea region.
The level of succinic acid contained in the amber determines its quality. Amber from the Baltic Sea region contains the highest level of succinic acid, and therefore is the highest quality amber you can find. Because the Amber by Monica collection offers amber strictly from the Baltic Sea region, you can be assured that you will receive the highest quality amber when you purchase your amber from us.
Baltic Amber comes in a wide spectrum of colors: white, yellow, brown, black, red, green and blue. The most common colors are honey and milky yellow. A small percentage of amber is bone white and the most rare has a green and blue tone.
Throughout the ages, craftsmen and artists have turned amber into fine art pieces that people have not only cherished for their beauty, but also for the proposed practical uses. It is believed that wearing amber brings purification of mind, body and spirit by absorbing and charging negative energy. The Greeks actually referred to amber as "electron" because of its ability to pick up static charge. Amber worn around ones neck is believed to protect against throat ailments and if worn around joints to ease rheumatic pain.
Prehistoric man used amber for embellishment and religious rituals. The Phoenicians, Etruscans and Romans believed that amber warded off evil spirits. The Slavic tribes thought amber to be magical because of its warm feel, its lightness and luster, and romantically, some believed amber to be the petrified tears of gods.
Since each piece of amber is in itself a unique, genuine and natural jewel with its own identity, and its own beauty, it is no wonder that people continue to adore amber. Each piece is truly one of a kind.
Caring for your Amber
The original luster of your amber can be maintained indefinitely with a few precautions:
- Remove dust and perspiration with lukewarm water and a soft flannel cloth.
- Apply a little olive oil with a clean soft cloth to restore the polish of your amber.
- Never let amber come in contact with strong solutions, soaps, detergents, perfume or hair spray. They will dull the finish.
- Never use commercial jewelry cleaning solutions on your amber jewelry.
- Use a silver polish cloth to polish the silver crafted settings.
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