Today’s scientists value amber too: it provides a three-dimensional window into prehistoric ecosystems through the myriad animal and plant inclusions it contains.

Amber is sometimes called “gold of the North.” Its warm luster is featured in beads, carvings, pendants, and cabochons, as well as decorative items like cups, bowls, snuff boxes, and …

Amber has a lower relative density than salt water so it can feel very light, even in large sizes. This makes it possible to use fairly large sizes in amber jewelry.

Amber is soft compared to gem minerals and many other organics. It falls between 2 and 2.5 on the Mohs scale. Amber also has poor toughness, so care must be taken when wearing amber …

Amber is probably best known for its insect and other types of inclusions. Millions of years ago, when amber oozed from countless plants, the substance acted as a sticky trap for ants, bees, …

Amber is fossilized tree resin used for jewelry, decoration, medicine, and perfume. Specimens with inclusions of insects and plants are of great scientific significance and highly esteemed by …

Lore The Greeks saw amber as sun rays that became hard. Amber was sacred to the sun god Apollo.

GIA’s Gem Encyclopedia is a virtual journey through the science and lore of gemstones from across the globe. Each precious stone page features additional detailed gemological …

Amber is usually yellow to brown, and some speci-mens display red to brownish red or reddish brown colors. Blue amber is rare, found mainly in the Do-minican Republic with some …

Nov 22, 2015 · Almost all commercial blue amber is mined from the Dominican Republic, Mexico, and Myanmar. In this study, we collected and characterized the appearance, gemological …