ABOUT AMBER

Amber is the name commonly used for fossil resin that is appreciated for its inherent beauty and is widely used for the manufacture of jewelry and other ornamental objects. Although it is not mineralized, it is sometimes considered and used as a gemstone. Most of the world's amber is in the range of 30–90 million years old. Since amber is produced from plant resin, this aromatic resin can drip from and ooze down trees, as well as fill internal fissures, trapping debris such as seeds, leaves, feathers and insects. The resin is buried and fossilized through a natural polymerization of the original organic compounds. Because of this, amber preserves traces of life dating back to the times when the liquid resin was setting. They are plant and animal inclusions, which are valued and searched by natural history museums, scientific institutes and collectors all over the world.
Most of the amber comes from the Baltic regions, and it comes in a wealth of varieties produced by the great differences in the degree of its translucency and color ranging from yellow to white, bluish, greenish, beige and brown. These are some of the factors that make amber so desirable in folk art and jewelry trades.  Baltic amber varieties are normally divided into primary and secondary.  The fundamental criterion to distinguish primary varieties is the internal structure of amber, which holds the key to establish the color and translucency, as well as the degree to which it is contaminated by organic inclusions.  The translucency and color of amber depend on the amount of air bubbles contained in each particular piece. Due to its natural beauty, it was commonly used as a raw material for manufacturing talismans and ornaments since the Stone Age.

AMBER IN GREEK MYTHOLOGY

Around 1600 BC, amber became very treasured in Greece. In the odyssey, amber is described as one of the most precious materials. It was called “elektron” meaning derived from the Sun. It was believed amber was made from the tears of a nymph. Because the Greeks were the first to observe the electrostatic properties of amber, the Greek name of amber-elektron became the root word for electricity several centuries later. Baltic amber artifacts were found in the tomb of King Tutankhamon, in Mesopotamia and in Rome. Amber requires a special preservation, so most of the amber deposits deteriorated throughout time, and there is only about 20 places in the world where amber can be mined. In roman times, a miniature sculpture of a man was more expensive than a slave.

COLORS OF AMBER

Usually Baltic amber is yellow or bright yellow, but the colors of amber range from white, yellow, brown to red. There is also green/gray amber and less common black amber may be found as well. Amber can be absolutely transparent or absolutely opaque. It is not always only one color, but a unique combination of two or more colors, shades and patterns. For this reason, amber has become very attractive, charming, elegant and unique.
As mentioned earlier, tree resins make most of the amber material. These resins are normally clear amber, but amber’s color is affected by other evaporating elements, various admixtures and oxidation, thus we can identify amber in the following colors:

MEDICINAL AND SPIRITUAL PROPERTIES OF AMBER

Many believe that the aura of amber purifies the endocrine and digestive systems, while its magnetic properties are beneficial against fatigue and depression. Worn as a necklace or a pendant, amber warms the heart of its owner helping to fight colds and flu. Constant carrying of an amber beads on a neck helps to prevent from Basedow’s illness. In some forms of headaches, amber plates can help, it is necessary to stroke the skin around the place of pain. The pain is repaid with negative charges of static electricity formed by amber. Carrying an amber necklace around the head protects against a headache, revives your spirits, and softens the influence of bad weather. When working close to a computer, amber is recommended to protect the brain by hoop with numerous amber plates or beads. Amber is recommended also for problems with fatigue, or for restoration of forces after a heavy illness. Amber smoke is still used in aromatherapy. Baltic amber contains 3-8% succinic acid, a scientifically examined medical substance that is currently used in medicine today. Recent research also suggests that succinic acid has a positive influence on the human organism. It helps strengthen the body, improve immunity, the course of processes related to energy and the balance of acids. Tens of effective medicines containing succinic acid have been manufactured and patented. Amber oil is a very effective medicine against rheumatic diseases. In roman times, amber was also used to massage aching muscles, and powdered and mixing it with honey, was thought of as a cure to asthma.  

AMBER IN MEDICINE HISTORY

Already famous Hippocrates (460-377 BC), considered father of medicine, in his works described some medicinal properties and methods of application of amber that were later on used by scientists until the middle ages.
In ancient Rome, amber was used as medicine and protection against different diseases. Roman peasant women wore amber medallions not only as adornments, but also as a remedy for swollen glands and sore throat.
Persian Scientist Ibn Sina (Avicenna) called amber a remedy for many diseases. It was believed by several eastern countries that amber smoke strengthens human spirit and gives courage.
In the middle ages amber beads were worn even for the treatment of jaundice. This yellow stoned was thought of as magical and as force to absorb unhealthy yellowness of the skin and the weakness of the organism. Amber related terms were often used in the recipes and records of the alchemists of those times.
It can also be seen from legends and myths that Prussians and Samogitians also used amber in the manufacture of incenses. Lithuanian tribes in former times employed such incense to drive away evil spirits. The newly born babies were fumigated with this incense to help them grow faster. For the newly weds, it was a symbol of eternal happiness. For the ones heading to war, amber helped them return with victory in their hands.
Before World War I amber was being used as treatment for various diseases. An extract of amber and vodka was thought to increase sexual potency of men. In Lithuania and Russia nannies had to wear amber beads to protect themselves and babies from diseases.

OTHER CHARACTERISTICS OF AMBER

Spiritually, people consider amber to be the keeper of love and fidelity. It brings happiness and possesses healing qualities. Some even believe amber makes women perfect. Amber is warm to the touch and transmits a relaxing smell when worn in your hand. As mentioned earlier, it is the only fossil resin containing 3 to 8% succinic acid, which is a multi purpose therapeutic substance. Amber is found in a great variety of colors. It will sink in fresh water, but floats to the surface in salt water. When amber burns, it permeates a resinous smell and aromatic smoke, which might be familiar from church ceremonies. Some plants used the resin that became amber as an antibiotic, cut healing balm or wound dressing plaster. People initially hung interesting amber forms on leather thongs for decoration, protection and good luck.

TESTING FOR TRUE AMBER

Recently, some controversy has risen on whether some recent discoveries in South America and other parts of the world should be named amber or copal (which is tree resin which has not yet fully fossilized to amber and may be anything from 3 to 4 million years old). Some plastic imitations of amber have also become available on the market.
There are a number of simple tests that can be made on amber to verify its authenticity. Other tests are available but they require laboratory equipment to carry them out. Here’s several tests that can be performed on an amber piece:

1. First of all, amber possesses a hardness on Moh’s scale in the region of 2 -3.An appropriate scratch stick will help in determining the number for each piece.
2. If a needlepoint is heated up in a flame until it is glowing red, and then pushed the point into the sample for testing amber can be identified from copal. With copal the needle melts the material quicker than amber and omits a light odor.
3. Solubility of the piece may be tested, as copal will dissolve in acetone, while amber will remain unaffected when acetone is applied.
4. When passed through a short-wave Ultra Violet (UV) light, copal will show very little color change, while amber will fluoresce a pale shade of blue.
5. When the specimen tested is rubbed vigorously on a soft cloth, it will reveal whether it is amber or copal. Amber may omit a faint resinous fragrance while copal may actually begin to soften and become sticky. Amber will become heavily charged with static electricity.
6. Tasting the amber is another way of knowing if it is authentic. After washing the amber in soapy water and then plain water, if the piece is made from plastic or other chemicals, it will have a very unpleasant and chemical taste. Amber does not have a particular taste at all.
7. Mixing 23 grms of table salt with 200ml of luke warm water and stirring until dissolved, and later placing amber in this mixture, will result in amber floating. Copals and various plastics will typically sink.
8. Finally, amber has inclusions of animals and plants. Correctly identifying the trapped flora or fauna will serve as an excellent indicator of the piece’s authenticity.  Most of the amber pieces have species that are now extinct, or that have significantly adapted to the new environment.  Amber frequently has stellate hairs that are released by oak buds in their early growth.
9. When placing a piece of amber between two sheets of polarizing glass or plastic, you can then rotate one of the lenses slowly in 360 degrees. In the amber’s body, there will be a rainbow of colors that should cycle through the transparent parts of the material. This is due to interference patterns that are induced in the polarized light because of strains and stresses within the amber itself. Both Cobal and Amber will show this color changes, while some other polymers and plastics will not.
10. Taking a sharp knife to shave off a tiny piece of the amber will also help as proof. Real amber fractures and splinters, while plastic and polymers cut can be removed without splintering the piece.

ABOUT SILVER

Silver has been known since the early days of mankind. It has long been valued as a precious metal and used in currency, ornaments and jewelry, as well as utensils. It is also used in photographic film, electrical contacts and mirrors.
Silver also has a certain antimicrobial quality. In the past, dilute solutions of silver nitrate were used as disinfectants, although this use has been replaced by other treatments.
It has been widely used since about 4000 BC, when it was used in jewelry and as a medium of exchange. It was once thought more precious than gold. A variety of advances have allowed for its increased production worldwide.
It is referred to as the metal of the moon and some believe it to have powers over emotions, the psychic mind, love and healing.
Since it is a soft metal, it is typically mixed with an alloy like copper. Sterling silver is originally from and area called Easterling, in Germany. In order to be sterling silver, the metal is made up to 92.5% silver and 7.5% copper.

CLEANING AND CARING FOR YOUR JEWELRY

After you’ve purchased jewelry, specially silver tarnishes from the interaction of silver and sulfides that are in the air. This tarnish will eventually turn silver to black.
In order to restore your silver jewelry, you can polish up by rubbing or buffing it with a soft cotton cloth. Chemically treated cloths that are special for this purpose, make the job a lot easier and faster.
You can also use jewelry dibs. However, be careful, as many of these dips will take the color and polish off some gemstones. Don’t leave pieces for too long and rinse them well with fresh water to make sure there are no residues left on the piece. When using a dip, dip the piece quickly in and out, immediately rinsing it with clean water. Buffing brings out more of the shine, helps take off any residue left on the piece, and leaves a bit of protective tarnish coating on the piece to help keep it shiny longer.
Another common technique is to use a toothbrush with arm and hammer baking soda. When you clean jewelry this way make sure that the piece is not porous, as the dust will penetrate these pores and become practically impossible to take out later.
It is recommended that you leave jewelry in its corresponding cases always. Avoid humid places, and use anti-tarnish bags to help prevent tarnish from building up.