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Known as “The Gold of the North”, amber was produced more than 50 million years ago in the mighty primeval forests of the Baltic region, where flora and fauna often captured the fossilized resin for an eternity.  It was exuded as gum from the coniferous trees which grew during the Tertiary Period, i.e. about 50-100 million years ago.

Amber is found in numerous locations world-wide, yet amber which originates from northern Europe takes a higher polish and comes in more color variations than any other amber.  As a result, it is considered the finest in the world.

Baltic amber has the longest record of usage - early Stone Age people were entranced by its apparent magical properties.  Archeological evidence shows that Baltic amber was used as a trade commodity dating back as far as 8000 years BC.  Roman women dyed their locks to match the resin’s golden color.  The Emperor Nero sent an expedition to the North to bring back large quantities of the precious material to Rome.  Later, amber was used by Christians and Muslims for Rosaries.  In the 13^th century, the Teutonic Knights established a monopoly in the amber trade.  Wherever amber traveled, a demand for it arose, and eventually guilds were organized to maintain control over the quality of the material worked.

Amber has been heralded as the panacea for all ills.  In the 17^th century, amber was thought to be of great power against many diseases like asthma, catarrhs, diseases of the stomach and heart, plagues and contagions.

Amber occurs in varying shades of yellow, orange, red, white, brown, green, bluish, and “black” (deep shades of other colors).  Rainbow colors within the amber are caused by the light interference of air bubbles or strain created during an insect’s death struggle.  The color is also related to the types of tree source.  Recent pine trees produce golden yellows, white, ivory-colors and occasionally a blue resin.  The Polish Museum of Science believes that the reddish tints are the resin of deciduous trees, such as cherry and plum.

Among the many fascinating properties of this substance there is one which has given rise to many legends and popular superstitions - its ability to preserve the form of bits of flora and fauna of the past, which were once caught in its gum-like substance.