Baltic amber is one of the most beautiful and valuable varieties of this stone in the world. It is a treasure of nature, which has been formed for centuries and has delighted people for centuries with its unusual color and healing properties. The history of amber is rich and interesting, and its use in various fields of life makes it a stone that is not only beautiful, but also highly valued.
The formation of amber
Baltic amber was formed from the resin of coniferous trees that overgrew the northern areas of today’s Europe 40 million years ago. These trees produced resin, which over hundreds of thousands of years, in contact with the air and under pressure and temperature, hardened to form amber. With the passage of time, the trees became extinct and their hardened resin drowned in sea waters.
History and use of amber
Amber has been known since ancient times and has always had a high commercial value. It was valued primarily for its beauty, but also for its medicinal properties. It was believed to have anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties, which is why it is often used in natural medicine until modern times, for example to relieve joint pain or migraine. It is also used in the production of cosmetics and perfumes, due to its fragrance and care properties.
In jewelry, Baltic amber is highly valued and has fascinated people for centuries for its unique color and unique beauty. It is very popular among collectors and jewelry artisans, who create stunning and original ornaments from it – earrings, necklaces, bracelets, rings. It comes in a variety of colors – from bright yellow, to orange and red, to brown. Amber can also vary greatly in texture. They can have a smooth, shiny surface or be dull and rough to the touch. Some specimens are completely transparent, while others are milky or cloudy.
Amber is also used in the arts. Artistic amber products adorn museums and galleries around the world. It is used to create sculptures, vases, goblets, picture frames and many other works of art.
One of the most famous works made of amber is the „Amber Chamber.” This Baroque monument was one of the most beautiful works of art of the 18th century. The chamber was decorated with amber, gold and other precious stones. It was built in 1701-1711 on the order of Frederick I, King of Prussia. After World War II, the chamber disappeared without a trace, becoming one of the most mysterious enigmas in the art world.
Inclusions
The highest prized by collectors, but also scientists, are specimens containing inclusions. Inclusion is the phenomenon of embedding small fragments of plants or animals in amber. These fragments are preserved intact in amber, making them an important source of knowledge for scientists. Thanks to them, it is possible to learn about the age of amber and its origin, as well as to find out what species of animals and plants were present in a given period and what these organisms looked like several million years ago.
Gdansk – the amber capital of the world
The city of Gdansk has been an important center of the amber trade for centuries, resulting in a dynamic flourishing of Gdansk’s jewelry craft. Many of these products, such as beads, bracelets, brooches and other pretzels, were exported all over the world, which contributed to the development of Gdansk’s world fame as a center of amber trade.
Every year Gdansk hosts an amber and jewelry fair – the famous Amberif. This is one of the most important amber, jewelry and gemstone fairs in the world. During the fair, exhibitors from all over the globe present their products, and visitors have the opportunity to admire the latest trends in jewelry-making and see the most beautiful amber products. The fair is also a great opportunity to meet with jewelry artists, fashion designers and other industry professionals who share their knowledge and experience.
Gdansk is called the amber capital of the world because of the rich history and tradition associated with this precious substance. The Amber Museum with one of the world’s largest amber collections is located here. In the vicinity of Gdansk, on the coast of the Baltic Sea, there are deposits of Baltic amber, which provide raw material for the production of jewelry and other products.
Mariacka Street, where our Mariacka Residence apartment is located, is also strongly associated with this unique stone. This is because it is famous for the presence of numerous stores and stalls offering dazzling amber jewelry.