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Amber in Jewellery Making: A Journey Through Time and Culture

Writer's picture: Fiach OBroin-MolloyFiach OBroin-Molloy

Amber, a fossilised tree resin, has been used in jewellery making for thousands of years. Its unique combination of beauty and rarity has made it a sought-after material for creating beads, pendants, and other decorative items. From ancient civilisations to modern times, amber has played a significant role in the history of jewellery making and continues to captivate and inspire.



The use of amber in jewellery making dates back to prehistoric times, with evidence of amber bead necklaces and other jewellery found in archaeological sites around the world. The ancient Greeks and Romans valued amber for its beauty and believed that it had medicinal properties. In the Middle Ages, amber was widely used in religious artefacts, and it became popular as a material for rosary beads.



Amber is also highly valued for its rarity and the stories it tells. Amber is formed from the resin of ancient trees and can contain tiny fossils of plants and animals that lived millions of years ago. The oldest amber found to date is over 300 million years old and comes from the forests of Scotland. As a result, amber is often seen as a window into the past and is treasured for the stories it tells about the world before us.


In modern times, amber is still a popular material for jewellery making and is widely used in beads, pendants, and other decorative items. Its warm, golden colour and unique, organic form make it a versatile material that can be used in a wide range of styles and designs. The versatility of amber has made it a popular material for creating unique and personalised pieces of jewellery, from statement necklaces to delicate earrings.


One of the most significant sources of amber in the world is the Baltic region, where large deposits of amber have been found in countries such as Poland, Russia, and Lithuania. The Baltic region has a long history of amber production, and it continues to be an important centre for the production of amber jewellery. Amber from the Baltic region is known for its high quality and unique color and is widely sought after by jewelry makers and collectors.

Another important source of amber is the Dominican Republic, where large deposits of amber have been found in the rainforests. Dominican amber is known for its rich, warm colour and its inclusions of plants and animals that provide a unique window into the past. Dominican amber is widely used in jewellery making, and it is becoming increasingly popular as a material for creating high-end and unique pieces of jewellery.

In conclusion, amber is a material of great significance in the history of jewellery making. Its unique combination of beauty and rarity has made it a sought-after material for creating beads, pendants, and other decorative items. Its versatility and unique properties make it a popular material for creating personalised and unique pieces of jewellery. Whether it is used in ancient artefacts or modern jewellery, amber continues to captivate and inspire.



References:

  1. Lewandowski, J. (2017). Amber - the history and heritage of the fossil resin. Society of Natural History of Poznań, 1(51), 29-32.

  2. Skupniewicz, P. (2010). Amber – The gold of the north. Amber Museum, Gdańsk, Poland.

  3. Pitoc, G. A. (2003). Amber: The golden gem of the ages. Bead & Button, 9(2), 46-50.

  4. Hildebrandt, H. (2015). Amber: A journey through time. National Geographic, 227(6), 86-95.

  5. Stiller, M., & Grossman, E. (2008). Amber. Gemstone Press, New York.

  6. van der Putten, N., & Kloosterman, J. B. (2011). Amber in the Netherlands: A cultural-historical review. Netherlands Journal of Geosciences, 90(1), 37-46.

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