Amber – The Ultimate Guide – (Meaning, Description, Uses & Properties)

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Amber crystal combinations

What is Amber?

Amber is not a gemstone or crystal at all, although it is used as such in jewelry and adornments. Amber is fossilized tree resin, and it is not unusual to find insects and organic matter perfectly preserved within its depths, from millions of years ago.

Humans have always been fascinated by this substance, and it has acquired a rich history over the course of time.

Amber measures between 2 and 2.5 on the Mohs scale for hardness, making it one of the softer stones used in the jewelry trade.

It occurs in shades of orange, brown, yellow, and deep, rich red, the colors of Autumn, and its name has come to be used to describe the color in all contexts.

Scientists prize Amber as a way of gleaning clues as to the atmosphere of the earth millions of years ago.

And it has been shown that the atmosphere during the cretaceous period was rich in oxygen.

This is shown by the presence of round bubbles of oxygen in many Amber specimens.

The Origin: Where Is Amber Found?

Amber is easily obtained and washes up on the shores of the East Coast in Britain and the Baltic Sea.

It is also found in Poland, Italy, Romania, Russia, Germany, and Myanmar.

The History & Lore of Amber

Amber History and Lore

Amber has been used by humans in artifacts and jewelry since the Stone Age.

It has also been used in folk remedies for thousands of years and references to Amber as a tranquilizer stone have been found in texts from Ancient Greece and The Middle Ages.

Amber is believed by some to have an anesthetic effect, and teething rings for infants are still in demand today.

In Greek mythology, Phaeton, the son of Zeus and a river nymph asked his father if he could drive the chariot of the Sun for one day.

His reckless charge through the heavens resulted in the earth becoming scorched.

And Zeus, in a bid to prevent further damage, struck Phaeton down with a thunderbolt.

Phaeton’s sisters were devastated by the death of their beloved brother, and the gods took pity on them, turning them into poplar trees growing on the banks of their mother’s river.

Legend has it that their tears formed as Amber droplets, which were then carried far and wide by the waters of the river and oceans.

Dreaming of Amber is said to predict a sea voyage and sailors used Amber talismans to protect them from storms at sea.

The Greek word for amber is “Elektron”, which means “I protect” and Amber is used as a protection stone in many cultures and traditions.

It was used in the ancient world to guard against witchcraft, sorcery, the evil eye, and ill-wishing.

It was believed to protect children from the malign intentions of Faery, and gifts of Amber were common at the birth of a child.

Description of Amber

Amber Description

Amber comes in a range of orange, red, and brown hues, and is very lightweight.

Meaning that large pieces of this beautiful stone can be made into statement pieces of jewelry.

Amber is fossilized tree resin and can contain insects, leaves, and other organic matter trapped within its depths, some of which are over 10 million years old.

Amber darkens with age, and some pieces present an almost black color.

Amber is often highly polished, and it is translucent, meaning that you can see light through it.

It is usually fashioned into shapes that follow the original shape of the piece of rough that is being worked.

How to Identify Amber

Amber is sometimes imitated in plastic, glass, or modern tree resins.

True Amber has a low specific gravity and will float in sea water.

Imitations do not usually contain inclusions, and they may be more regular in shape that an authentic piece.

They may also show too much or too little sparkle.

Types of Amber

Types of Amber

The forms and colors of Amber are varied and diverse, although all types share common properties and attributes.

Sea Amber

This type of Amber is collected from the shores of seas or lakes or by dredging a deposit.

Pit Amber

Pit Amber is dug up from the earth. It is the common method of extracting Baltic Amber. These Ambers are usually yellow, golden, or orange.

Burmese Amber

Burmese Amber is also known as Red Amber and can sometimes be mistaken for Ruby, although it is translucent rather than transparent.

Forms of Amber

Depending on the physical appearance of the stones, these Ambers may be called clear, massive, fancy, frothy, fatty, or bone.

Amber Treatment

Amber Treatment

How to Clean and Care for Amber

Amber is one of the softer stones, having an organic origin rather than a mineral one.

Pearl and petrified wood are other examples of gemstones with organic origins, and all need extra care to keep them in top condition.

The best way to remove surface dust, debris, and oils from your Amber stone is to wipe it with a damp cloth.

Do not use hot water, or expose Amber to extremes of heat, such as a sauna or bright sunlight.

Store Amber away from metals and other stones to minimize the chances of damaging or scratching it.

To charge your Amber stones, place them in a bowl of brown rice overnight.

This will disperse negative vibrations and revitalize its natural properties.

Buyers Guide: Tips & Advice

Amber Quality Factors

Pieces of Amber containing inclusions of plants or animals are usually more valuable than clean pieces without inclusions.

Color

The most familiar colors in Amber are yellow and gold. It can also be white, cream, orange, and reddish brown.

Red Amber is more valuable than the yellow or golden varieties. Oxidation causes the color of Amber to darken over time.

Clarity

The more translucent the stone the more valuable it is. Cloudy material can be clarified to an extent by treating it with carefully heated rapeseed oil.

The results can sometimes produce what are known as sun spangles, or crack-like circular marks.

Cut

Amber is most commonly cut into free-form shapes, dictated by the shape of the rough or raw stone.

It is then polished to a highly attractive sheen. Faceted Amber is very rare.

Carat Weight

Amber has a low density, lower than salt water, so it can be used in large pieces of jewelry that can be worn without discomfort.

Larger carat weights are more expensive than smaller pieces, although color is the main factor in determining quality and value.

Amber and Chakras

Amber and Chakras

Amber is a powerfully cleansing stone for all the chakras.

It has the power to draw disease from the physical body and to realign the chakras with both the physical systems and the flow of energy in the layers of the etheric bodies of the aura.

Amber is excellent for clearing and cleansing the Solar Plexus chakra. This chakra is responsible for our feelings of both fear and bliss.

As these two emotions cannot exist alongside each other, it is important to activate and open the Solar Plexus chakra.

So it can move energy freely around the chakra system and keep you grounded, confident, and aware of your own power.

Amber belt buckles or adornments are useful for this, as the Amber is then worn close to the center of the body.

However, performing a chakra balance on a regular basis, with Amber placed on the breastbone, will support the Solar Plexus, and ensure a healthy flow of Life Force Energy.

Amber Healing Properties

Amber Healing Properties

Physical Healing Properties

Amber imbues the body with vitality and has the power to disperse negative vibrations from the physical body’s energy systems.

It is, therefore, a natural pain reliever and can be used to treat headaches, earaches, dental pain, and sore throats.

It enables the body to rebalance and heal itself by removing tension, stress, and pain.

Amber is an excellent natural antibiotic.

The resin from which Amber is formed is the natural by-product of a tree’s reaction to damage or wounding and an elixir of Amber can be used to bathe wounds, bruises, and minor injuries.

Amber treats arthritis and joint pain, soothes upset stomachs, and supports the healthy functioning of the spleen, liver, gallbladder, and kidneys.

Mental & Emotional Healing Properties

Amber has bright, warm energy that lifts the spirits and calms an anxious or worried temperament.

It promotes altruism and brotherhood between humans and brings wisdom, compassion, and understanding to relationships.

Amber is said to be good for memory and helps to treat the symptoms of SAD or seasonally affected disorder.

It promotes a positive mental state and encourages creative self-expression.

It has a calming, soothing vibration that helps to quiet an over-active mind and relieve depression, anxiety, or panic attacks.

Metaphysical Properties

Amber emotional and metaphysical properties

Amber brings stability and a sense of safety.

It is a grounding stone that brings down energies of wisdom and insight from the intellect to the physical body.

It allows you to recognize your place in the world and calms fears of not fitting in, or of being “separate” from the Universal healing energies of the cosmos.

Amber helps you to gain inner peace, and to know your own worth.

It absorbs negative energies and turns them into positive forces that help to heal the body and the mind.

It also helps to heal the earth and clears away pollutants from the atmosphere.

Spiritual Healing Properties

Amber is a powerful psychic protector.

It keeps the soul safe when undertaking astral travel and also allows the energies of latent psychic abilities to blossom and develop in a regulated way.

Uses at the Third eye it allows this chakra to open gently, without force, and to connect you to your soul’s true path and destiny.

When working on your spiritual self-development, use Amber as a protection and grounding stone.

You can access your own inner wisdom through the mediating effect of Amber if you use it in meditation, and as a manifestation stone.

It holds the power to bring dreams into reality.

Amber can be used to repair the aura following karmic and spiritual release and restores the integrity of the kundalini line.

This energy line can be likened to a serpent, coiled at the base of the spine.

When it is activated, the energy rises through the body, igniting sexual desire and giving access to bodily and spiritual energies in all aspects of your life.

How to Use Amber

Amber Uses

As Jewelry

Amber jewelry can be worn on a daily basis, although care should be taken not to scratch or bump the stones as they are easily damaged.

If you want to access the energies of Amber to help with anxiety or stress, try Amber earrings or necklaces.

In-Home and Office

Pieces of amber can be placed in the wealth corner of your home, along with Citrine, to attract an abundance of money and resources.

Amber can also help to clean up the atmosphere in your home or workplace and to disperse harmful electromagnetic waves from computers, phones, and TVs.

Best Crystal Combinations with Amber

Amber crystal combinations

Amber and Sunstone

Combine the energies of Amber with those of Sunstone to improve your relationships and attract love.

Their combined vibrations encourage an attitude of patience and tolerance towards others and are excellent support stones when you are going through a rocky patch in your love life.

They aid in resolving differences and settling disputes between partners.

Amber and Citrine

This is a wonderful pairing if you want to attract and manifest more wealth.

It also brings in an abundance of whatever you set your intention on. So be sure to ask only for the things you really want!

This combination helps you to maintain a positive, optimistic attitude to life and its challenges.

It also promotes self-empowerment and confidence, giving you the motivation and strength you need to turn your dreams into reality.

Amber with Citrine is an excellent combination for physical health.

It supports the kidneys and urinary tract, soothes upset stomachs, and helps to mitigate the effects of IBS.

It also helps to regulate the production of hormones in the adrenals and thyroid.

Read more about the best crystal combinations with citrine.

Final Thoughts & Conclusion

Amber has a warm, cheerful vibration that is nevertheless down to earth.

Wearing or using Amber gives your mood and spirits a boost.

Amber encourages feelings of peace and harmony. It brings balance and patience and facilitates wise decision-making.

Keep pieces of Amber around you to attract an abundance of love, wealth, and happiness into your life.

References

Geology | GIA | GIA | Wikipedia

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