Gem of the Week: Amber

Amber is a unique gemstone in that it's not a stone at all! Amber is fossilized tree resin from trees that lived millions of years ago. Because of the natural formation, often small insects, plants, or other inclusions are found in Amber perfectly preserved.

   

Amber has many uses besides just jewelry. Amber has been used in ancient medicines and has been a key ingredient in perfumes. Amber has also been used in carvings and as decoration on musical instruments and weaponry.

The ancient Greeks believed that Amber was the tears of the sisters of Phaeton, a son of Helios who was killed. They transformed into Poplar trees out of mourning and there tears formed through their branches as Amber.

Amber exists in many different colors ranging from light yellow to dark orange to almost black. Amber can even come in red, green, and blue, although these colors are very rare and valuable.

Amber has a unique scent, described to be a warm musky earthy scent with a bit of honey. Amber incense was traditionally burnt during Chinese festivals. Today's amber perfumes are made synthetically or enhanced with other scents.