Where To Shop Online

There are also larger shops like Andzia’s Amber Jewelry who have a large selection of beautiful Baltic amber earrings, pendants and other pieces that are very affordable and uniquely crafted into designs that are modern and elegant. The best part is that prices start at around $20 for stud earrings and only the most elaborate multi-stone creations go up to $100 or more. All their pieces are certified Polish amber jewelry crafted from stones found in the Baltic region.

Amber Jewelry Styles

Traditionally, polish amber earrings and necklaces were crafted from beads, and these styles still exist today, but there are also many creations like gorgeous chandelier designs, drop earrings and even the popular Celtic and filigree designs that incorporate knots and intricate lacey sculpted motifs with chunks of amber at the center.

Celtic Jewelry With Amber

Although chunky and large Baltic amber earrings are the best known styles, the newest designs are often smaller, highly polished stones that resemble jade or even garnets and peridots, since their color variations can range from light green-yellow to deep reddish-brown. The polished stones set in hand sculpted earrings and other creations including rings and pendants, often resemble antique or art deco jewelry designs that are very popular with the return to retro styles. With Celtic emblems and motifs and colored stones, the old-world antique feel is easy to achieve. The best part about it is that even very ornate creations are often well within even the most limited jewelry budgets. For example some three piece sets that include a pendant necklace and delicate chandelier or drop earrings may retail for under $100.

Green Polish Amber Earrings and Jewelry

Green polish amber earrings are the most affordable of all. Why? Because they are lesser quality amber stones that have been treated to be richer green in tone. Nevertheless, they are one of the most beautiful choices if you need something genuine that’s really affordable.

Handmade Baltic Amber Earrings

For a wide variety of styles and colors in unusual silver settings that are handmade, Baltic amber earrings are the best choice. Try shopping with small online merchants who earn their living by crafting and retailing unusual Baltic amber jewelry and not only save money but have original pieces that will be unique to you. Try places like My Amber Jewelry, Amber Workshop and Amber Paradise and start enjoying Polish amber jewelry creations that come straight from the Baltic Sea.

Bernardine Amber earrings

The problem with shops is that they carry a selection of amber earrings and rings that will easily appeal to a broad spectrum of tastes and therefore is often more generic in nature. If you want amber jewellery that is unique, one of a kind, not only due to the quality of the amber used but also the way the pieces are set, then I suggest small independent artists and artisans. Many such amber artisans are now online and ship their creations internationally, so you have a much wider choice than just what is available in a shop or amber market in one location.

Here is a list of some artists to help you find the most unique and personal pieces:

1. For colorful and dramatic handcrafted designer amber jewelry try Bernardine Fine Art Jewelry. They have a large selection of very fine silver amber earrings, gold amber earrings, amber pendants and green amber jewelry. They have mixed other stones with amber in some of their settings such as one exquisite pair of sterling silver amber earrings made from Baltic amber and black onyx for $245. Custom orders ship in 2 – 6 weeks.
2. R & L Amber Jewelry from Russia has some heavy, antique styles – amber pendants, amber earrings and large amber bracelets in sterling silver settings under $200.

   Since 1994 they have collected amber jewellery from Kiev, Moscow, and St. Petersburg and brought them to exclusive clients in the United States. They work with seasoned amber collectors as well as beginners offering a connection between the buyer and the artists. Custom order are welcome.

3. Andzia’s Amber Jewelry (Located at 1808 North Main Avenue – Scranton, PA 18508. Tel- 570-346-4568) is a certified member of the International Amber Association in Poland. They offer a broad range of Baltic amber, especially sterling silver amber earrings. They have traditional handcrafted amber bead necklaces, amber bead bracelets as well as more contemporary designs by local artists. They also have some very delicate amber stud and drop earrings like their Classic Amber Rose. Each rose for each earring is handmade and therefore varies slightly, but they are all in honey tones, made from Baltic Sea Amber in Poland
4. For original and remarkable amber designs visit Gregory Pyra, a magnificent amber jewelry artist who has exhibited many of his amber rings and pendants as museum pieces in Malbork Castle Museum and the Amber Museum in Gdansk Poland. He has also been commissioned to craft exclusive pieces for members of Sweden’s royal family. This is amber art jewelry not just amber earrings, pins or rings for a party. This is jewelry that distinguishes you for your excellent taste should you be able to purchase a piece or two.
5. Tel-Aviv designer Leetal Kalma has the most exotic, modern, tribal, classic, whild, modern, antique, eccentric fantastic pieces of green amber earrings, amber rings, silver amber earrings and amber jewellery in general. Silver, gold and every kind of precious stone is used to build masterpieces that often have stunning amber additions. It’s worth taking a look at these unusual creations.

These are but a few of the artists, artisans and amber dealers who you can choose from.

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.

1. When not being worn, wrap your amber pieces in cloth and then in cellophane or plastic wrap
2. Grasp amber earrings and bracelets by the silver or gold settings to avoid touching the amber
3. Don’t wear your amber jewelry day and night even if it’s a pair of amber stud earrings you can sleep in
4. Don’t shower, swim do exercise or cook while wearing your amber rings or earrings
5. Don’t leave amber in the sun because heat and light change its color
6. Don’t let the amber get too warm or too cold
7. Don’t allow cologne, perfume, hairspray, or body lotions to come in contact with amber
8. Wipe amber with a soft cloth after wearing and before storing
9. Wash when necessary with mild soap/room temperature water and dry with clean cloth
10. 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