The Buzz on Amber

Amber has been very popular this year, both in jewelry and in collector specimens with insects. We often are asked about the origins of amber and the variations in pieces we carry. Amber is ancient tree resin that has hardened and been preserved over time. Baltic Amber (succinite) accounts for about 80% of all amber found, and is the type most commonly found in jewelry. Baltic amber has been used decoratively since the Stone Age (13,000 years ago) and can be found in prominent European crown jewels. The excellent Palanga Amber Museum in Lithuania holds over 28,000 pieces, with more than 15,000 containing insect or plant inclusions.

Insect or plant inclusions can occur in all amber, with many of the finest examples found in the amber of the Dominican Republic, Lebanon and Jordan. With amber dating back as far as 320 million years, the fossil record it provides has been very valuable to scientists.