Many women in the world prefer jewelry with natural stones, which not only blend perfectly with bright outfits, but also give more confidence and strength to their owners. Amber is the oldest mineral stored in the earth and on the seabed for many millions of years. It is believed that solar energy is concentrated in it, so it has miraculous properties.
What is amber - a miracle of nature or the creation of human hands?
All the most valuable finds date back to thousands and millions of years. Special equipment can determine the age of a fossil, and the older it is, the more expensive. Today, amber is considered the most popular jewel that is used in jewelry. This is a petrified resin of trees, turned into a mineral for tens of millions of years. Sometimes insects got into the sticky mixture flowing down from the tree bark and hardened. Inclusions most often could be spiders, dragonflies, small scorpions, and sometimes even mammals. Today, amber mining is a profitable business that annually brings millions of dollars to jewelry manufacturers with this stone. In addition to its interesting appearance, unusual properties are attributed to it, which our ancestors noticed several thousand years ago.
Amber from different nations
The magical power of the stones was known to our distant ancestors, who often used them in spells and rituals. In ancient Russia, healers performed their sacred rites, resorting to the help of the Alatyr, who appeared before the creation of the world. According to legend, he was on the island of Buyan, Zarya sat on it before waking the world from sleep. This difficult stone was guarded by faithful guards - the snake Garafen and the bird Gagana. In any fiction there is some truth, and on a geographical map, scientists have established that the mysterious Buyan is the modern island of Rügen. Ordinary people knew what amber was, only according to the stories of the sages, and nevertheless believed in its miraculous power.
In ancient Greece, residents often resorted to the help of a wonderful stone - an electron, which in translation means "I protect." No wonder the inhabitants of the Apennine Peninsula gave this name to a beautiful natural mineral, because it was believed that it is able to heal from all diseases. Raw amber does not look very beautiful, so the Romans gave the stone a different look, painting it in different colors. Unfortunately, his magical properties were lost.
Kaliningrad - the amber cradle of the world
Whatever nominations are assigned to Kaliningrad - “The most beautiful city in Russia”, “The best city for business” and others. This westernmost district of the country has become famous throughout the world not only for its pre-war history, but also for the fact that it houses the only industrial enterprise for the production of amber. In a small amount, this stone can be found in the Dominican Republic, Mexico, Canada, Ukraine, Romania, but over 90% of the world's reserves are concentrated in Kaliningrad.
Vacationers on the Baltic Sea can often catch raw amber with their hands or a net, and sometimes it is scattered with sand and pebbles on the coast. Centuries ago, when at least a century remained before the first manufactories appeared, this stone was mined from the bottom along with algae. Then they tried to get amber out of the ground. In 1871, the first mine of thirty-meter depth was built, but a few years later it was closed.
Amber mining
Starting from the first millennium BC, 60 thousand tons of fossilized resin were extracted from the coast of the Baltic Sea. Over hundreds of years, new formations of this mineral have appeared, and no one knows when its reserves will be depleted. Today, the Kaliningrad Amber Plant annually produces half a million tons of this treasure, which can be divided into three large categories: varnish, ornamental and pressing. The latter type includes very small pebbles that cannot be inserted into jewelry without preliminary processing. They are pressed or melted, then rings, earrings, and bracelets are made. Ornamental amber is the most expensive raw material that goes into the manufacture of caskets and other large souvenirs.
From a block of stone to an elegant gem
Before processing amber, it must be examined for inclusions — insect debris, flower pollen, or bark. Since a jewelry with inclusions will cost several times more expensive, it is important not to damage the pebble. Seeing in the market a beautiful decoration with an insert of bright fiery color, many do not know what amber is, how difficult it is to obtain, therefore they are surprised at its high cost. To a nondescript piece of resin turned into a beautiful gem, professionals carry out a number of procedures with it.
Having picked up the desired shape, they remove the crust from amber using a file. The resulting pollen is recommended to be stored and used for varnish. After that, the piece is filed and given the desired shape. The next step is to level the stone - it is eliminated from roughness after processing with a solid file. The final stage - polishing - is done to give shine. If you plan to collect beautiful beads from amber, in each piece you will have to make a hole with a diameter of no more than 1-2 mm using a drill or a sewing needle. To prevent it from cracking, it is necessary to place it in oil or water during the procedure.
Secrets of the Amber Room
The Catherine Palace, located in the vicinity of St. Petersburg, attracts tourists from all over the world. Extraction of amber was actively carried out even several centuries ago, so sculptors and architects often decorated their structures with fossilized resin elements.
At the exit from the Portrait Hall, the gaze of a tourist is a bewitching sight. The walls, floor and ceiling of the newly created amber room are decorated with bright orange pebbles, and it seems that all the sunlight is concentrated in this room alone. German sculptors created this masterpiece for the Prussian king Frederick I three centuries ago, later Peter I became its owner. The original was lost during the Great Patriotic War and restored several decades later. The fate of the amber room is still unknown. There is an opinion that it burned down or was taken out by the Nazis.
Horoscope stone
Fashion for jewelry that matches the temperament or date of birth of a person has been relevant for many years. It is not without reason that they say that a stone suitable for the zodiac sign is able to protect a person all his life, cure diseases and give energy. If geology studies the origin of the stone and its interaction with other rocks, a special science, astrology, deals with the interaction of minerals with the human aura. Many people do not know what amber is, but have already heard about the miraculous power of this miracle of nature. It has long been proven that the placement of stars affects the character and destiny of a person, so experts in this matter are trying to pick us up not just a beautiful decoration, but a talisman.
Amber is suitable for people born under the fiery zodiac sign, especially lions. This stone in itself symbolizes sunlight, therefore it is capable of transmitting strength and energy to its owners. It is not recommended to choose a jewelry with a stone mascot as a gift, as a person may not like it or not fit. If amber is not fake, those born under the zodiac sign of fire will immediately feel its power. A stone comes in several shades. White is recommended for romantic people, orange and red for people with low blood pressure. Black amber is called "jet", and scientists and philosophers advise wearing it.
Beads, bracelets, key rings, earrings …
Real fashionistas always choose massive jewelry with large sparkling stones that will be visible on the ears or neck even from afar. Depending on the zodiac sign, under which the woman was born, a stone is chosen that will protect her throughout her life. For the "fiery" natures, the best gift is amber. A ring with such a pebble will look spectacular and will become an indicator of the good taste of its owner. If earrings with a large stone seem too heavy, it is better to choose an elongated shape (droplets) - this stylish jewelry is perfect for young natures or women aged. The keychain with petrified resin will protect from evil forces and give energy. You will have to pay a high price for genuine material, but the purchase will justify all the wishes of the potential owner and will cheer you up.
