Amber
Geology/ History
Amber is fossilized tree resin (not sap), which has been appreciated for its color & natural beauty
since Neolithic times. Amber has many uses it’s made into a variety of decorative objects& jewellery.
Also an ingredient in perfumes & used as a healing agent in folk medicine.
There is quite a process involved in the formation of Amber. First the starting resin must be resistant
to decay. Many trees produce resin, but the majority of deposits are broken down by physical &
biological process. Exposure to sunlight, rain & temperate extremes disintegrate the resin. The
process is also assisted by microorganisms such as bacteria & fungi. The molecules need to
polymerize, which can take millions of years (at least 100,000 years). After polymerization Amber
becomes far less soluble in common organic solvents & will not become sticky if wet with alcohol,
acetone or gasoline. Much of the material marketed as Amber is far too young to be considered
Amber & is actually dried tree resin called copal. For resin to survive long enough to become amber,
it must be resistant to weathering or be produced under conditions that exclude them. There are five
classes of amber defined by their chemical constituents. Because it originates as a soft sticky tree resin
Amber sometimes contains animal & plant material. Amber occurring in coal seams is also called
Resinite. When Amber is rubbed against wool or silk it becomes electrically charged. Ambers Greek
name was in electron which modern English has changed to electricity.
Metaphysical Properties
The Tigers Soul crystal. Chinese legend says, the souls of Tigers morph into amber upon death.
Amber is a powerful ally as it transmutes negative energy into intense healing energy. An excellent
protector against psychic attack. A fantastic stone for growth, rejuvenation & manifestation opening
all avenues of wealth in life. Highly electric rub amber to generate energy.
Crystal Healing
Pain relief – excellent for babies teething, Immune system, Brain & hormonal balancing. Cleanses &
purifies.
Mineralogy
Group: Fossil
Crystal System: Non - crystalline
Composition: C12H20O
Form/Habit: Nodular - Tuberose forms having irregular protuberances over the surface
Hardness: 2-2.5
Cleavage: None
Fracture: Conchoidal - Fractures developed in brittle materials characterized by smoothly curving
surfaces, (e.g. quartz).
Lustre: Resinous
Streak: White
Specific Gravity: 1.05 - 1.15, Average = 1.1
Transparency: Transparent
Has Fluorescence
Colour: yellow-orange-brown, amber, whitish, pale lemon yellow, to brown & almost black. Red,
green & blue amber are rare & highly sought after.