Amber

What is Amber?

Amber is not a mineral but fossilized resin from conifers that grew millions of years ago. When those trees exuded resin, it was slowly buried and hardened under pressure and time into the warm, glass-like stone we know today. Because Amber has an organic origin, it has no crystal lattice: it is amorphous, which means its building blocks lie together without any ordered structure. Her honey-yellow, orange and cognac tones arise from the natural resins and sometimes from tiny inclusions of plant matter or air bubbles. With a hardness of 2 to 2.5 on the Mohs scale, Amber is remarkably soft and light in weight, which is why she calls for careful handling and feels warm in the hand.

Meaning and History of Amber

The Dutch name for Amber, Barnsteen, comes from the old word for burning: the stone is easily flammable and was once even burned as incense, hence the meaning burn stone. The Greeks called her elektron, the word that later gave electricity its name, because Amber attracts small particles after rubbing through static charge. As early as the Stone Age, Amber was worked into beads and amulets, and along the famous Amber Road the stone traveled from the Baltic region to the countries around the Mediterranean. According to a Greek myth, Amber arose from the tears of the sisters of Phaethon, who mourned their fallen brother. Because of all these stories, Amber is regarded to this day as a stone of warmth, protection and life force.

Physical Properties Amber

Amber is often chosen by people who feel cold, exhausted or tense and long for a little warmth and resilience. On an energetic level, the stone is associated with vitality and a sunny, warming strength that can give you some room and liveliness again. Many people experience Amber as a stone that gently relaxes something, as if warmth returns to the body on a grey day. Her energy is linked to recovery and to the release of tension, which makes it easier to unwind and stand more firmly in your own strength. If you wear the stone close to your skin or hold her in your hand, many people notice they feel lighter, warmer and steadier. In this way Amber can offer support in recovering your natural energy and calm.

Please note: gemstones can offer support on an emotional and energetic level, but are never a substitute for medical or professional care. If you have any complaints or concerns, always consult your physician.

Amber and Protection

Amber is known as one of the warmest protective stones there is. Where many hard stones work like a shield, Amber does so in a gentle way: she is seen as a stone that absorbs heavy and negative energy and transforms it into something lighter, so that you keep your own space. If you are easily affected by the moods of others or by a busy environment, carry an Amber tumbled stone or bead close to your body, for example in your pocket or as jewelry. Place a larger stone by the front door or in the living room, where she keeps the atmosphere at home warm and protected. Traditionally, Amber has also been kept near children as a soft, reassuring little stone. Turn it into a small ritual if you like: hold the stone for a moment before you leave the house, breathe calmly, and imagine her warm glow wrapping around you like a cloak.

Spiritual Properties

Spiritually, Amber is known as a stone of warmth, purification and grounding. She is seen as stored sunlight, a stone that kindles joy and optimism and helps to ease gloom. Anyone who easily carries heaviness or low spirits can find an uplifting ally in Amber that makes the feeling a little lighter again. At the same time the stone works in a grounding way: she is associated with a feeling of safety and connection to the earth, so that you keep both feet on the ground while your heart opens. Amber is also seen as a stone that gently helps to release old, stuck emotions, so that there is room for new zest for life. Where some stones mainly calm, Amber brings a warm, activating energy that feeds your courage and confidence. She invites you to rediscover your natural radiance and to take full part in life again from a warm, safe feeling. In this way Amber brings balance between being protected and daring to open up all the same.

How to Use Amber?

• Wear Amber as jewelry, for example one of our Amber bracelets or Amber pendants, so her warm, protective energy travels with you all day.
• Place a larger Amber in the living room or by the front door, where she keeps the atmosphere warm and helps absorb heavy energy.
• Hold a tumbled stone in your hand during meditation and direct your attention to your lower belly or your heart area, where you can let warmth and safety flow.
• Put a small piece of Amber in your pocket or bag as quiet support on tense days or when you want to protect yourself in a busy environment.

Types and Varieties of Amber

• Baltic Amber: the best-known type, also called Succinite, found around the Baltic Sea and loved for her warm honey to cognac color.
• Dominican Amber: a variety from the Dominican Republic, including the rare blue Amber that lights up remarkably under ultraviolet light.
• Cherry Amber: a deep-red variety, whose color often arises from heating yellow Amber.
• Green Amber: a scarcer greenish tone, which owes its color partly to plant residues or treatment.
• Copal: a much younger, not yet fully fossilized resin that closely resembles Amber and is sometimes confused with it.

Beautiful Gemstone Combinations

Smoky Quartz

Smoky Quartz strengthens the grounding and protective side of Amber. Where Amber warmly absorbs and transforms heavy energy, Smoky Quartz calmly carries that tension down to the earth. Together they form a reassuring duo for anyone who wants to protect themselves and stay grounded at the same time.

Tiger's Eye

Tiger's Eye connects beautifully to the warm, courage-giving energy of Amber. Both stones resonate with the Solar Plexus Chakra and are associated with confidence and drive. This combination is lovely for anyone who wants to feel stronger and more protected and to make choices with more certainty.

Citrine

Citrine shares the sunny, uplifting glow of Amber. Where Amber brings warmth and protection, Citrine adds a feeling of joy and abundance. Together they form a light-filled pair that helps you move through life with a positive outlook and full of confidence.

Recognizing Genuine Amber

Amber is often imitated or confused with plastic, glass and the much younger Copal, so a few simple checks are useful. First pay attention to weight and temperature: genuine Amber is strikingly light and quickly feels warm in the hand, while glass stays cool and heavy. Then rub the stone firmly against a cloth; genuine Amber becomes slightly static and attracts small scraps of paper. Look at her with a loupe: natural inclusions, cloudy wisps and irregular air bubbles belong to Amber, while perfectly round bubbles and a too-even color point to plastic. In strongly salted water genuine Amber usually keeps floating, where glass and many imitations sink. If the stone smells resinous rather than chemical when slightly warmed, that is a good sign. At Kristalmeester we only sell natural Amber. 

Properties

• Hardness: 2 to 2.5 (Mohs scale)
• Density: 1.05 to 1.10 g/cm³
• Composition: C10H16O (approximate, fossilized resin)
• Crystal structure: amorphous (no crystal structure)
• Color: honey-yellow, orange, cognac to brown, sometimes red, green or blue

Locations

• Poland
• Lithuania
• Russia
• Ukraine
• Dominican Republic
• Myanmar
• Lebanon
• Mexico

Zodiac Signs

Leo

Leo resonates strongly with the warm, sunny energy of Amber. The stone feeds the natural radiance and self-confidence of this sun-ruled sign and helps Leo to shine from sincere warmth. In this way the strength of this sign stays inviting and generous.

Gemini

Gemini finds in Amber a stone that brings lightness and clarity. Where this sign quickly darts in every direction in thought, the warm, grounding energy of Amber helps to find some calm and focus again. In this way the playful mind of Gemini stays light without losing itself.

Sagittarius

Sagittarius recognizes itself in the optimistic, warm side of Amber. The stone feeds the natural zest for life of this fiery sign while offering a feeling of protection along the way. In this way Amber supports the freedom-loving nature of Sagittarius with a warm and sheltered feeling.

Chakras

Solar Plexus Chakra

The Solar Plexus Chakra is the energy center that Amber resonates with most strongly. This Chakra stands for self-worth, willpower and personal warmth. Amber can help to warm and strengthen this center, so that you dare to take your own place with confidence.

Sacral Chakra

The Sacral Chakra is connected to creativity, pleasure and zest for life. The warm energy of Amber can kindle this Chakra and bring you back into contact with your playfulness and resilience. As a result, your natural drive gets going more easily.

Root Chakra

The Root Chakra revolves around safety, grounding and trust. Amber can support this Chakra by giving you a warm, sheltered feeling, so that you stay firmly rooted. In this way the stone brings calm and a sense of coming home to yourself.

Care

Amber is a soft, organic stone with a hardness of only 2 to 2.5, which is why she scratches easily and is sensitive to water, heat and chemicals. Therefore never let her soak in water and do not hold her under the tap; if you want to clean her, wipe her carefully with a slightly damp, soft cloth and dry her well right away. Keep Amber away from perfume, alcohol and cleaning products too, as these can damage the surface. For energetic cleansing you can pass Amber through the smoke of Sage or Palo Santo, or place her on Hematite Chips overnight to discharge. To charge her, place Amber on a dish of Rock Crystal Chips. Do not place her in the sun: prolonged sunlight can dry out Amber, darken her and even cause small cracks.

More information about the cleansing and charging of gemstones can be found in our blog "The cleansing and charging of gemstones".

Frequently Asked Questions about Amber

What does Amber mean?

The Dutch name for Amber comes from the old word for burning, because the stone is easily flammable and was once burned as incense. Today Amber mainly symbolizes warmth, protection and life force.

Can Amber get wet?

Preferably not. Amber is soft and organic and cannot handle prolonged water, so never let her soak. If you want to clean her, wipe her with a slightly damp, soft cloth and dry her well right away.

Can Amber be placed in sunlight?

No, it is better not to. Prolonged sunlight can dry out Amber, change her color and even cause small cracks. It is therefore better to charge her on Rock Crystal Chips, out of direct sunlight.

Which Chakra is associated with Amber?

Amber resonates most strongly with the Solar Plexus Chakra, the center of self-worth and personal warmth. It is also linked to the Sacral Chakra and the Root Chakra.

Where is the best place to put Amber?

Wear Amber close to the body or keep her at hand when you seek warmth and protection. In the living room or by the front door, a larger stone helps to keep the atmosphere at home warm and sheltered.

Summary

Amber is a warm, golden gemstone that is actually fossilized resin from ancient trees. Since the Stone Age she has been worn as an amulet and seen as a stone of warmth, protection and life force. Her uplifting, grounding effect makes her especially suited to anyone who wants to protect themselves against heavy energy while seeking some warmth and resilience. Spiritually she stands for purification, joy and safety, while physically she is associated with vitality and relaxation. She resonates with the Solar Plexus Chakra, the Sacral Chakra and the Root Chakra, and suits Leo, Gemini and Sagittarius beautifully. Clean her only with a damp cloth and charge her on Rock Crystal Chips, out of the sun.

If you have any questions about Amber, please do not hesitate to contact Kristalmeester. We are happy to help.