The most complete information guide about Athens, Greece
Amber
Amber is the ancient resin of pine trees which has gone through
a number of changes over millions of years. The result is an exceptional
gem with extraordinary properties. Like diamonds, true amber takes
millions of years to be created. The stone in your amber ring,
bracelet or komboloi beads may be 20 million years old or more!
The creation of amber is actually the result of the trees' defense
system. It is thought that the resin was exuded from the trees
as a reaction to attack from external forces, i.e. insects, to
prevent further intrusion and to repair and reinforce the damage
done.
Since
amber is a light and fragile material, it is easily crumbled when
used for the construction of worry beads. The above issue and
the high price of amber led an Egyptian, called Faturan, to invent
a mixture of natural amber powder, resins and incense. The material
was named "Faturan amber". This material is still widely
used in the manufacture of worry beads. It is more durable for
playing, it creates a beautiful liquid sound and is four times
cheaper than amber.
Amber is so valuable because current day forests of spruce and
pine produce small quantities of resin, none of which is likely
to lead to fossilized amber. Their form of resin degrades and
breaks down into other compounds before becoming copal or amber.
Jet, also called black amber, is an organic gem, resembling amber
in many ways.
Amber properties
Its
color, warmth and electric properties have earned amber a reputation
as a protective, magical substance. It is claimed that it can
help those who suffer from throat infections, bronchial and intestinal
disorders, asthma, convulsions, rheumatism, earache, bladder trouble,
nerves or bone-marrow deficiencies. Calming, it can absorb negative
energy and help the body to heal itself. It still is used for
making and breaking spells and it helps with depression and suicidal
tendencies. Not surprisingly then, for thousands of years, it
has been burned as incense during spiritual or religious events.
When burned, amber releases a fragrant pine scent.
Due to its organic nature, the color of amber often varies depending
on the types of foreign matter engulfed by the sap after secretion
from the plant. The color of amber ranges from the yellow and
golden honey tones we are familiar with, to reds, blues and green,
as well as some opaque colors. Burmese amber, deep red, is the
rarest and most valuable amber known. Amber can be stained to
enhance or change its color, particularly from yellow brown to
red, and also to green.
Amber is very lightweight. Greeks called it electron, meaning
electric, because of its tendency to create sparks and attract
a piece of paper (through static electricity) when rubbed against
fabric. Real amber floats in salt water (about 2.5 tablespoons
per 1 cup water) or cola, plastic and bakelite will sink. True
amber will release an aromatic pine scent when pricked with a
heated needle, plastic will stink. True amber is soft and warm
to the touch whereas plastic is hard and cold.
Amber is not harmed by solvents. Take a few drops of fingernail
polish remover or alcohol and drip it over the surface of your
piece. If the surface becomes tacky or the fluid takes on the
honey golden color of the substance, you can bet it's not amber.