February,
2002 Feature:
Introduction to Amber
Amber
is a fossilized resin from Asian pine forests long submerged
under the sea, from between 20 to 60 million years old. Amber
could be gathered irregularly, especially along the North
Sea coast of East Anglia, Jutland, and the shores of South
Baltic. Having been washed loose from its deposits by sea
currents, mainly during violent storms. Amber often contains
insects that were trapped when the resin was secreted.
Color
ranges: Amber is transparent of opaque, and ranges in color
from very pale yellow to deep brown -red, green, bluish, or
black. As it has a very low specific gravity, amber will float
in salt water. This distinguishes it from imitation of plastic,
Bakelite, or Perspex, which will sink.
Amber has been traded in Morocco for thousands of years, and
has been highly regarded. At one point it was regarded to
be higher than gold. Baltic amber was called gold of the north
because of its bright yellow color, which is the most popular
color in Morocco.
Amber
is mainly used as beads in necklaces, and used by all tribes,
especially the Sus. It used to be common that a bride to be
was given a big amber necklace as part of her future security,
and to show her family's wealth.
Amber
was used not only ornamentally, but also as a gemological
remedy both internally and externally. Roman physicians prescribed
ointment made from ground amber, made as a salve for wounds.
In morocco they use it internally to clean the blood system,
and also for spiritual purposes, where they burn it as an
inscent.
Browse
amber in our Private Collection >
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