Amber
it is the birth stone for the sun sign of the Taurus. It is one million year old. It is light in weight and arm in touch; it produces static electricity when rubbed. Greek used the word elektron for Amber. The word electron and electricity is derived from this word. Its chemical formula is C10H16O also contains some hydrogen H2S. It's a complex mixture of volatile oils, succinic acid and resins. Its hardness on scale is from 2-2.5.
Amber is not a mineral, in fact it is more of a natural plastic and there is not an exact chemical composition that makes up amber stone for that reason. Amber found at Gdansk or Danzig is known as 'Gedanite'. This is softer and lighter than most other amber stones.
Usually amber comes in honey like color. Its color varies from the golden yellow, through rich yellow and red to brown. It can be also in white dark brown black and green.
The good quality amber is clear and translucent. It may contain natural occurring gas bubbles. If amber has larger bubbles than it is called bastard amber but it dose not mean that it is not true amber.
The important source of the amber is Baltic area, especially Kongsberg. The type of amber comes from this area is called succinate. Here it is found in tow sources, sea and by mining.
Burmese amber is redder in color as compared to Baltic amber. It is known as burmite. It is harder and denser.
Amber is found in Sicily, Danzig, Norway and Denmark and sometimes in USA.
Today Baltic states and Dominican Republic are he two important sore of amber. The Baltic amber is older and that?s why preferred. But the amber from the Dominican states mostly has insects in it. Its price rang can be 20$-40,000$ or more.
It hardness on scale is 2 to 2.5
It is used in ear-rings, pendant, bracelets, and rings. It can b set with the gold or platinum. Mostly it is set with the silver. Because of the light weight and UN expensive it is used as large pieces. Special care is required for amber jewelry as it is very soft so it can be easily scratched.
It has certain healing powers.
It is good for depression.
It balances the digestive network.
Amber is good for throat and lungs.
It is also believed that it has some spiritual powers like
It promotes the good luck ad success.
Amber changes negative energy into positive energy.
It is used by the travelers for protection.
