Amber Earrings – The Phenomenon Behind What You Are About to Buy
Before you invest in a pair of amber earrings, or other temping pieces of amber jewelry, take a moment to read about what a phenomenon they really are:
The Origins of Amber – and the Difference between Resin and Sap
Amber, although often thought to be precious “amber gemstones”, is not of the same nature as say rubies, sapphires or diamonds. Long before becoming an amber ring or a pair of silver amber earrings, it was fossilized resin from trees (don´t confuse this with sap which is like plant blood whereas resin is an essence within plant cells).
What makes amber perhaps more unique than gemstones is that while the prehistoric resin was yet fresh –viscous like honey – little insects, spiders, frogs and crustaceans, not to forget hairs, feathers, wood, leaves and flowers, all got stuck in the goo. When these drops of gunk were yet undeveloped chunks, after just a little initial heat and pressure, what they became were Copal, not true amber.
Copal becomes amber only after certain chemicals have evaporated, and that takes a very, very long time. And when I say a LONG TIME I’m not joking. Some pieces date back 345 million years; although the amber that contains insects appears to have formed ONLY about 146 million years ago and the pieces with beautiful bacteria and amoebae are still babies at 100 million years of age!
*Here is a little trivia about the word “amber” and heat. Since amber is relatively soft and can burn, in German it is berstein which means to burn stone and in Dutch barnsteen with the same meaning.
The Color of Amber Earrings – and What is the Best
Most people think of shades of auburn, golden- yellow, ginger- orange, or perhaps even russet or brown tones when they think of amber. Although these may be the most common colors available in amber jewellery shops that carry what is known as “amber gemstones”, in fact amber can be almost white, light yellow, cherry red, green (please read about that in another article) or even blue, which is coveted and rare. I have seen some blue amber that is navy and other pieces that are violet or deep purple.
The best amber, no matter its color, is transparent and does not contain bubbles.
Amber Jewellery – Handle with Care
It’s natural to handle precious gems and jewels with care, even if they are diamonds and can’t be scratched no matter what you do. But handling amber is totally different. Amber should be touched as little as possible because the more it’s handled the darker it becomes. Yes, amber changes color permanently if exposed to the air, or touched by skin, mostly your hands because of the natural oils we all have.
If you want to keep your amber earrings in your jewelry box that is okay. But I recommend the following extra precautions if you want to keep the transparency and original color of your amber gemstones.
- When not being worn, wrap your amber pieces in cloth and then in cellophane or plastic wrap
- Grasp amber earrings and bracelets by the silver or gold settings to avoid touching the amber
- Don’t wear your amber jewelry day and night even if it’s a pair of amber stud earrings you can sleep in
- Don’t shower, swim do exercise or cook while wearing your amber rings or earrings
- Don’t leave amber in the sun because heat and light change its color
- Don’t let the amber get too warm or too cold
- Don’t allow cologne, perfume, hairspray, or body lotions to come in contact with amber
- Wipe amber with a soft cloth after wearing and before storing
- Wash when necessary with mild soap/room temperature water and dry with clean cloth
- Polish from time to time to bring out the shine some recommend using oil but I don’t
*Remember: exposure to oxygen, temperature changes and the natural oils on your skin will dramatically change the color and transparency of any (high or low quality) amber
