Amber - the yellow eye of the tiger

Perhaps, all people know amber. It is used not only in jewelry and haberdashery, but also in medicine, industry and woodworking. In addition, amber is also popular in more unusual areas - lithotherapy and magic. Thanks to its natural energy, it helps to cope with certain diseases and influence the life of its owner, directing it in a positive direction. But first things first.

Description

Contrary to popular belief, amber is not a mineral and does not form crystals. In fact, it is petrified resin, a resinous thick mass that stands out from cuts in ancient coniferous trees.

Origin

During Antiquity, many scientists only assumed that the origin of this stone is associated with resin. Aristotle, Theofast, Pliny the Elder spoke about this.

Already in the XNUMXth century, this was proved by the Swedish naturalist and physician Carl Linnaeus and the Russian natural scientist Mikhail Lomonosov. It was they who confirmed that amber is the resin of ancient coniferous trees.

In 1807, the Russian chemist, mineralogist, geologist, academician of the Imperial Academy of Sciences Vasily Severegin officially gave a scientific description, origin and classification of amber.

Etymology

The name of the stone has a lot of interesting facts.

For example, the French "name" of amber - ambre - comes from the Arabic ʿanbar. A group of peoples of the Semitic ethno-linguistic group inhabiting the states of the Middle East and North Africa were very sensitive to the stone: they believed that it was dew that had fallen from heaven and hardened.

The Germans call amber Bernstein, which means "flammable stone". This is quite logical - the material ignites very quickly and creates a beautiful flame, while emitting a pleasant smell. This name has also spread to the territory of other countries, such as Belarus and Ukraine. There the stone received the "name" burshtyn.

The ancient Greeks were interested in stone for its ability to electrify. They called the formation an electron. It is noteworthy that the very word "electricity" comes from this name - ἤλεκτρον. By the way, in Ancient Russia, amber had a similar name, but a slightly different spelling - electric or electron. 

However, the very word "amber" was probably borrowed from the Lithuanians - gintaras.

Main characteristics

As mentioned above, amber is not a mineral, it does not form crystals. At the same time, it has good characteristics that allow you to create various jewelry, decor items, buttons, beads, and more with it.

• shades - from pale yellow to brownish; red, sometimes colorless, milky white, with green overflow;
• gloss - resinous;
• low hardness - 2-2,5;
• electrified by friction;
• ignites quickly;
• when interacting with oxygen, it is oxidized, which contributes to a change not only in shade, but also in composition.

Varieties

Amber has many varieties. First, it is divided into fossil and semi-fossil. The properties of these species are determined primarily by the conditions and period of their occurrence.

Secondly, an important criterion for distinction is the fragility number. It is calculated with a special tool - a microhardness meter, calculated in grams, and varies from specific parameters.

Thirdly, amber can also have different transparency, which is associated with an unequal concentration of voids in its body. On this basis, the stone will be called differently:

• transparent - the absence of voids, the highest quality of the stone;
• cloudy - translucent;
• bastard - opaque;
• bone - opaque, reminiscent of ivory in color;
• foamy - opaque, shade - boiling white.

Amber is also distinguished by its color. Surprisingly, the stone can be painted in absolutely any shade from the spectrum. It all depends on the conditions, as well as the presence of various impurities in the resin. For example, algae can color it greenish, some associated minerals “give” it a silvery sheen, and sand slightly darkens the stone and gives amber a reddish sheen.

Place of Birth

In fact, amber deposits can be conditionally divided into groups: historical and modern.

Historical

Initially, the hardened resin of coniferous trees was found on the Jutland peninsula (modern Denmark), but the deposit was quickly exhausted. Then merchants began to turn to the Amber Coast - the traditional name of the southeastern coast of the Baltic Sea, located on the western tip of the Kaliningrad region of Russia.

In the world

There are two main amber-bearing provinces of the world:

• Eurasian, including Ukraine, Russia, Italy, Myanmar, Indonesia, the island of Sri Lanka;
• American - Dominican Republic, Mexico, North America, Greenland.

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Amber is a valuable stone and its effect on the human body has been scientifically confirmed.

Magic

Amber is a symbol of good luck and longevity. Its magical properties are very diverse. So, they include:

• protects the owner from troubles, accidents, any witchcraft (evil eye, damage, love spell, curse);
• reveals creative abilities, fills with inspiration and desire to create;
• enhances intuition and insight;
• helps you achieve your goals;
• brings luck, good luck, joy, optimism;
• favorably affects pregnant women, helps with childbirth;
• scares away evil spirits;
• protects married couples from gossip, envy, betrayal, misunderstanding.

Treatment

There are only legends about the healing properties of amber. Remarkably, this effect has long been scientifically proven and is successfully used by alternative medicine specialists - lithotherapists.

It is believed that there are no such ailments that amber could not eliminate, and this statement is relevant today. So, its healing properties include:

• eliminates headache and toothache;
• favorably affects the work of the heart and blood vessels;
• helps with joint diseases, varicose veins;
• stops the process of hemolysis;
• improves metabolism, the digestive system;
• positively affects the nervous system, kidneys, intestines;
• eliminates stress and smoothes its effects;
• protects against colds, flu;
• wound healing and regenerating effect;
• saturates cells with oxygen;
• slows down the aging process of the skin;
• in children - facilitates the process of teething, improves health.

The main active ingredient is succinic acid, which is known for its beneficial properties.

Application

The areas of application of amber are quite diverse:

• Jewelry industry. Making various jewelry: beads, rings, earrings, brooches, pendants, bracelets and much more. Sometimes insects, feathers are included in the stone, bubbles are created inside - such products look very original and elegant.
• Haberdashery - buttons, combs, hairpins, powder boxes, inserts on belts, wallets, bags, suitcases.
• The medicine. Production of medical containers, instruments. Popular use in cosmetology.
• Wood processing. Amber-based lacquer was used as a wood finish. They were "conserved" the surfaces of ships, furniture, musical instruments.
• Agriculture. In this case, succinic acid is used. It is used to treat seeds to improve yield and germination as a biogenic stimulant.
• Livestock and poultry - in the form of a food supplement.
• Various household items - containers, candlesticks, dishes, chess, caskets, figurines, watches, mirrors. Pictures and icons are also embroidered from stone.

Who is suitable for the sign of the zodiac

According to astrologers, amber is great for the signs of Fire - Leo, Sagittarius, Aries. It is not recommended to wear products with a stone only for Taurus.

It is also believed that personal amulets and talismans with an insert of hardened resin should not be given to strangers so that the product does not lose its strength.