| Amber, the gem of a stone that's not really a | | | | oldest geological specimen to be used in |
| gemstone at all, is actually fossilized pine | | | | jewelry. Archeologists digging near the |
| sap. People have collected, traded, carved, | | | | Baltic Sea have found evidence of Baltic |
| and coveted amber for more than 10,000 years. | | | | amber jewelry that is approximately 40,000 |
| Yet despite our fascination with it, much | | | | years old.Green Amber is a completely natural |
| about the smoky yellow stone -- the history | | | | variation of Baltic Amber. The green color |
| of amber -- remains a mystery.The price for | | | | is a result of plant interaction with the |
| amber stones varies widely, in the right | | | | resin. While green is a more valuable color |
| price range for Average Joe's (and Joannas) | | | | of amber than brown, the best quality of |
| who can spend as little as $20 for amber and | | | | amber remains clear, transparent, and |
| silver jewelry, and also for high-rollers | | | | flawless.Slightly softer than Baltic amber, |
| ready to spend $40,000 or more for a "slice | | | | Dominican amber is prized for its coloration, |
| of sunshine" in amber jewelry crafted in | | | | including yellow and deep red, as well as the |
| gold, platinum, and featuring other | | | | distinctive (and rare) blue and smoky green |
| gemstones. And although it not an official | | | | hues that come exclusively from that |
| "birthstone -- a designation reserved for | | | | area.Shocking Information about AmberThe |
| actual gemstones -- amber is often presented | | | | ancient name for amber was "electron," the |
| to those born under the sign of Taurus (April | | | | root word of electricity. Around 600 B.C., |
| 19-May 19).History of AmberAmber is found in | | | | it was discovered that if an amber stone was |
| Myanmar home to the largest piece of | | | | rugged vigorously, it became electrically |
| transparent amber in the world (33.5 pounds | | | | charged. Believed to carry a negative |
| and 40-50 million years old), as well as | | | | electrical energy charge, amber was used to |
| Lebanon, Sicily, Mexico, Romania, Germany, | | | | draw power and energy into its bearer.In |
| and Canad. The two main sources of amber on | | | | addition to its ability to attract energy and |
| the market today, however, are the Dominican | | | | power, amber was believed to aid the |
| Republic and the Baltic states.Once highly | | | | intellect. It was prescribed for memory |
| regulated, Baltic amber has become more | | | | loss; eccentric behavior; anxiety, and |
| widely available due to more liberal economic | | | | indecisiveness.The Joy of AmberAmber jewelry |
| policies in Eastern Europe. Today, the whole | | | | is said to help one be joyful and happy. The |
| world enjoys amber minded from the Baltic | | | | cheery yellow stone is believed to lighten |
| region, where the largest mine is in Russia, | | | | the burdens of life.Healers say that amber |
| west of Kaliningrad.Baltic amber may also be | | | | activates our altruistic nature and helps us |
| found in Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Poland, | | | | realize the full power of our spiritual |
| Russia. Baltic amber has even washed up on | | | | intellect.Learn How To Buy Jewelry And |
| the shores of the Baltic Sea in Denmark, | | | | Gemstones Without Being Ripped Off. |
| Norway, and England. Baltic amber is the | | | | |