About Amber
How it works?
Amber is not a “stone” but a natural resin. So as it warms with the body’s natural temperature, amber releases its healing oils (these oils contain succinic acid) which are easily absorbed into the skin and then into the bloodstream. Baltic Amber has some of the highest concentrations of Succinic Acid found in nature, and this is what makes it so special. Succinic Acid is a natural component of plant and animal tissues, and it's presence in the human body is beneficial in many ways.
Amber is also known to reduce inflammation of the throat, ear and stomach and to fight irritation, infections and respiratory disease as it dramatically improves the body’s immunity. Natural amber beaded necklaces are a completely non-invasive remedy for side effects associated with teething, such as lack of appetite, redness in the cheeks, swollen gums, diaper rashes, upset tummies, earache, fevers and colds. Baltic amber is also a natural analgesic that will calm your child and is recognized by allopathic medicine specialists as antispasmodic and anti-fever. Many adults report improvement of arthritis discomfort and carpal tunnel pain in their hands when wearing amber on the wrists.
What Can Baltic Amber Help With?
* Pain Relief:
Baltic amber contains analgesic properties and helps take the edge off of many types of discomfort associated with dental issues, headaches, joint pain, etc. It is a well known European method to help decrease the pain associated with teething.
* Strengthening the Body's Immune System:
In many different and subtle ways, succinic acid helps boost the body's own natural healing ability and immune system.
* Restoring Energy:
The human body naturally produces succinic acid. The salt of succinic acid (succinate) is one of the most active substances in the processes of cellular respiration and intercellular energy creation. Succinic acid restores oxygen and energy supply to depleted cells and helps the body return to a normal, functioning state.
* Maintaining Wellness:
When the human body reacts to stress, the body’s cells begin to use oxygen more quickly. Oxygen plays a central role in the intercellular creation of energy, and a lack of oxygen can result in feeling lethargic.
Oxygen is alkaline-forming in the blood and maintaining a slightly alkaline blood Ph helps keep us healthy (see “About Hazelwood” for more information on acid/alkaline blood levels). Whenever the body functions in a state of low oxygen, it is much more susceptible to illness.
* To Help Break a Cycle of (chronic) Inflammation:
Where chronic inflammation is present, disease lurks.
When the body’s cells are chronically inflamed the human body’s immune system response is to increase production of free radicals. Chronic overproduction of free radicals results in inflammatory-related disease. Chronic inflammation is a common denominator of many seemingly unrelated diseases.
How They Are Made
Every natural Baltic Amber necklace is unique because each of the amber beads is unique. So the size, color, and shape of each stone as well as the length of the necklace will vary slightly.
Every necklace is lovingly handcrafted by Lithuanian artisans with generations of experience who carefully polish and softly round the shape of each Baltic amber bead so it rests gently against the skin. This ensures maximum skin contact and comfort. The string in each of our amber necklaces and bracelets is knotted by hand in between each and every bead, so should the necklace break (which it should if necessary), the rest of the beads will not scatter and only one stone would detach. In the unlikely event that a stone should be ingested, amber is a non-toxic substance and is not harmful. The necklace fastens with an amber colored screw clasp that opens and closes easily.
Caring For Your Amber Jewelry
Because amber is soft and can be brittle because of age, it’s important to be careful that it not come in contact with chemicals. Your amber should not be stored with other jewelry where it can rub against other pieces, especially metals. It is recommended that you place your amber in a soft pouch (flannel and velvet are ideal for this purpose) with a drawstring for closing.
Be sure to keep perfume or hairspray and similar chemicals away from your amber and never place your jewelry in commercial cleaning solutions. Remove your amber jewelry when bathing to keep shampoos and other products from coating the amber.
To clean your amber, use a soft flannel cloth dampened with clean lukewarm water. You can also lightly polish it with clear olive oil, and then remove any excess oil and restore the polish with another soft cloth.
Want More Details?...
Baltic Amber is fossil resin, which is appreciated for its color, clarity and beauty. Although not mineralized, it is generally classified as a gemstone.
A common misconception is that Amber is made of tree sap; but it’s not. Sap is the fluid that circulates through a plant's vascular system, while resin is the semi-solid amorphous organic substance secreted in pockets and canals through epithelial cells of the tree.
Because it used to be soft and sticky tree resin, amber often contains insects and even small vertebrates, known in the jewelry world as ‘Inclusions’.
Semi-fossilized resin or ‘sub-fossil’ amber is known as Copal.
Amber occurs in a range of different colors. As well as the usual yellowy-orange that is associated with the color "amber", amber itself can range from whitish through a pale lemon yellow to brown and almost black. There is also red amber (sometimes known as "cherry amber"), green amber, pink amber and even blue amber, which is rare and highly sought after.
Baltic amber is distinguished from other amber from all around the world by the presence within it of high levels of succinic acid, hence Baltic amber is otherwise known as succinite.
Recent scientific research also proves that succinic acid has a very positive influence on the human organism. It strengthens the entire body, improves immunity, energy-related processes and the balance of acids. Succinic acid was analyzed (1886) by the pioneer of modern bacteriology, Nobel-prize winner Robert Koch, who confirmed its positive influence, discovering that there is no risk of the accumulation of surplus amounts of succinic acid in the human organism, even after the introduction of considerable amounts into the body.
In present-day times many effective medicines containing succinic acid have been manufactured and patented, most especially in the USA and Russia. Of particular value are pharmaceuticals that help prevent the aging of human cells. Of which, many use Succinic acid as an inhibitor as well as an antioxidant. Therefore, the acid may be called a scientifically described, modern elixir of youth. Succinic acid is also a valuable product for sportsmen and women. It is not a stimulant improving one’s effort on a single event basis, but rather a stimulator of balanced, comprehensive development. Succinic acid is found in many contemporary plants and is a common and indispensable food ingredient. However, deficiencies of succinic acid are quite frequent as it is rarely found in nature today. Even unripe gooseberries and rhubarb stalks, which are the richest known plants containing the acid, have a thousand times less of the acid than Baltic amber or succinite. Surprisingly though, succinic acid isn’t found in other fossil resins similar to amber.
Succinates are extremely effective after long-lasting illnesses and severe injuries. They make it possible for a patient to rebuild their immune system as well as intellectual fitness and the ability to concentrate on problems.
The Russians promote succinic acid as an important anti-alcohol medicine reducing the desire for alcohol. What is even more interesting is, it quickly eliminates the effects of excessive alcohol consumption. . A 0.1 gram pill brings back the ability to work within a quarter of an hour.
All cultivated plants tested, react in an excellent way to even very small amounts of a solution of succinic acid; vegetable crops increase by 40%, while the plant growth rate is much faster than usual. Shoots and leaves of plants become resistant to fungal and bacterial diseases.
Amber oil is another universal medicine recognized as very effective, most especially for rheumatic diseases. Amber oil permeates the skin very fast, penetrating deep into the tissue and exerting a positive influence leading to the introduction of the majority of negative ions. It improves blood circulation and eases muscle pains.
The existence of several thousand-year-old amber amulets is evidence that people believed in the power of the stone since the earliest prehistoric times. Amber was also used as a foundation stone, to ensure health and good luck for inhabitants of a dwelling.
This belief in the effectiveness and power of amber continues today. As in ages ago, amber is still perceived to be an exceptional stone. It smells nice when warmed in your hand, gives out a resinous scent and aromatic smoke when burnt, electrifies when rubbed and attracts small pieces of paper. It sinks in fresh water, but floats on the surface in saltwater.
Real or Fake?
In the middle of the nineteenth century scientists discovered ways to synthesize natural precious substances and Baltic amber fell prey to falsification. Nowadays the falsification of amber (especially inclusions) is widespread. People who only know a little about amber could be deceived. The falsifications are often sold as natural amber and sometimes for a high price. In this article we will observe the most popular amber falsifications and the ways to distinguish them from real amber.
MATERIALS MOSTLY USED FOR AMBER IMITATIONS:
-Copal
-Glass
-Fenolic resins
-Celluloid
-Casein
-Modern plastic
Copal
Copal is sold as Baltic amber, but in fact this is very young tree resins(1000 - 1 million years old). Natural inclusions are possible in Copal, but usually they are falsified. Insects are inserted in them that are too big and too good-looking. Copal melts at a rather low temperature (lower than 150 C ), and tends to melt rather than burn. After heating, it diffuses the "sweet" smell of burning resins.
Glass
It is easy to distinguish glass from amber: it is more solid; it cannot be scratched by metal. Glass is cold and fireproof.
Fenolic Resins
This material is commonly found in artificial amber beads. These amber beads tend to have very exact shapes (i.e. oval, faceted), the color is very similar to real amber (dark red, cloudy yellow, limpid). After heating, it does not diffuse the smell of pine-tree resins, which is characteristic of Baltic amber.
Celluloid
Celluloid (cellulose nitrate) is usually yellow and cloudy. Optically it is difficult to distinguish it from amber. Celluloid is more solid and not so combustible. After heating, it diffuses the smell of burnt plastic.
Casein
This is a plastic made from milk. The beads have a cloudy, turbid yellow color. It is a little bit heavier than amber. After heating, it diffuses the smell of burnt plastic.
Modern Plastic
Modern plastic (polyester, polystyrene) are used to produce artificial amber and inclusions. Optically this substitute can hardly be distinguished because, with it, authentic amber colors and limpidity can be obtained. Like in Copal, falsified inclusions are too big (more than 10 mm) and clearly seen, inserted in the very center of the plastic. After heating, it diffuses the smell of burnt plastic.
Tests to Ascertain Real Amber
"Smell" Test
"Smell" test Smell tests are the most effective because natural amber has a specific smell, which is difficult to obtain when producing falsifications. After heating real Baltic amber diffuses the specific delicate fragrance of pine-tree resins. Falsifications using Copal diffuse the smell of "sweet" resins when heated and those using other materials diffuse the smell of burnt plastic.
"Rubbing" Test
(The best way is to rub into the palm of the hand) It is possible to heat real amber by rubbing until it releases the smell of pine- tree resins. This needs a very strong hand, as it is rather difficult to heat amber (especially when polished) to the necessary temperature, and it could be difficult to make an experiment with amber set in jewelry, as trying to rub it into other materials the amber could get scratched.
"Hot needle" Test (the most effective)
To stick a heated needle into an imperceptible place in the amber (a hole of a drilled bead, etc.). If you smell definite pine-tree resins it means it is real amber. Deficiency: the slight mark of burning remains.
Amber is fragile - sticking it with a hot needle you will notice some cracks, while with plastic, a needle will pierce it without cracking it.
IR-spectroscopy
IR-spectroscopy is the most effective scientific method for identifying fossil resins. Baltic amber can be characterized by IR-spectrum segment called "Baltic amber shoulder".
Heat Treatment
All natural amber contains microscopic bubbles. When you apply heat to a single piece of amber, these bubbles evaporate and the amber becomes transparent. The greater the temperature, the darker the amber will become. This technique can be used to discern if the precious amber contains any inclusions. It is also used to add variety to the coloration of natural amber. It does not, however, increase or decrease the value of real amber or the healing ability of natural amber.
Pressed Amber
When small remnants of amber are fused together using high pressure or major heat source, the result is called “pressed” amber. While pressed amber is cheap and relatively available, it will not perform the same way original, natural amber does. Because the original pieces of amber have been compressed, the singular power of each piece is compromised. It is inexpensive to buy but if you’re interested in the powers of natural amber, you will not experience them with the pressed product.
Our Amber is 100% authentic Baltic Amber - no imitations!
*The statements made within this website have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These statements and the products of this company are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.