What is amber? Extraction of amber. Jet

Many women in the world prefer jewelry with natural stones, which not only perfectly match with bright outfits, but also give more confidence and strength to their owners. Amber is the oldest mineral stored in the earth and on the seabed for many millions of years. It is believed that it is concentrated solar energy, so it has miraculous properties.

What is amber - the miracle of nature or the creation of human hands?

All the most valuable finds are dated by thousands and millions of years. Special equipment can establish the age of a fossil, and the older it is, the more expensive. Today, the most popular jewelry, which is used in jewelry, is considered to be amber. It is the fossilized pitch of trees that has become a mineral for tens of millions of years. Sometimes in the sticky mixture, flowing from the tree bark, the insects got into and hardened. Inclusions most often could be spiders, dragonflies, small scorpions, and sometimes even mammals. Today, amber mining is a profitable business, which annually brings millions of dollars to manufacturers of jewelry with this stone. In addition to the interesting appearance, it is attributed to unusual properties that a few thousand years ago our ancestors noticed.

Amber in different nations

The magical power of the stones was known to our distant ancestors, who often used them in spells and rituals. In ancient Russia healers conducted their sacred rites, resorting to the help of the alatyr, which appeared before the creation of the world. According to legend, he was on the island of Buyan, he sat down on the Dawn before he awakened the world from sleep. This uneasy stone was guarded by loyal guards - the snake Garafena and the bird Gagana. In any fiction there is some truth, and according to the geographical map, scientists have established that the mysterious Buyan is the modern island of Rügen. Ordinary people knew what amber was, only from the stories of the sages, and yet believed in its miraculous power.

In ancient Greece, residents often resorted to the help of a wonderful stone - an electron, which in translation means "protect". The inhabitants of the Apennine peninsula gave such a name to a beautiful natural mineral, because it was believed that it is able to heal from all diseases. Untreated amber does not look very beautiful, so the Romans gave the stone a different appearance, painting it in other colors. Unfortunately, his magical properties were lost at the same time.

Kaliningrad is the amber cradle of the world

Which only nominations were not appropriated to Kaliningrad - "The most beautiful city in Russia", "The best city for business" and others. This westernmost district of the country became famous throughout the world not only for its pre-war history, but also for the fact that it houses the only industrial enterprise for the extraction of amber. A small amount of this stone can be found in the Dominican Republic, Mexico, Canada, Ukraine, Romania, but over 90% of the world's reserves are concentrated in Kaliningrad. Vacationers on the Baltic Sea can often catch unprocessed amber with their hands or net, and sometimes it is scattered along with sand and pebbles on the coast. Several centuries ago, when before the appearance of the first manufactories there remained not less than a century, this stone was mined from the bottom together with seaweed. Then they tried to get amber from under the ground. In 1871, the first 30-meter deep mine was built, but a few years later it was closed.

Amber mining

Beginning with the first millennium BC, 60 thousand tons of fossilized resin were extracted from the coast of the Baltic Sea. For hundreds of years, new formations of this mineral have appeared, and no one knows when its reserves will be depleted. Today, the Kaliningrad Amber Plant annually produces half a million tons of this treasure, which can be divided into three large categories: lacquer, ornamental and pressing. The latter type includes very small pebbles that can not be inserted into jewelry without preliminary treatment. They are pressed or melted, then rings, earrings, bracelets are made. Amber amber is the most expensive raw material that goes to making boxes and other great souvenirs.

From a boulder in an elegant gem

Before beginning processing of amber, it must be studied for presence of inclusions - remains of insects, flower pollen or bark. Since the jewel with inclusions will cost several times more, it is important not to damage the stone. Having seen on the market a beautiful decoration with an insert of bright-fire color, many do not know what amber is, how difficult it is to extract, so they are surprised at its high cost. To make a nondescript piece of resin turn into a beautiful gem, professionals conduct a number of procedures with it. After picking the desired shape, the amber is peeled off the file using a file. It is recommended to store the pollen obtained and use it for varnish. After that, the piece is sawed and shaped to the desired shape. The next step is to level the stone - it is removed from the roughness after processing with a solid file. The final stage - polishing - is made to give shine. If amber is planned to be collected beautiful beads, in each piece you will have to make a hole with a diameter of no more than 1-2 mm with a drill or sewing needle. So that it does not crack, during the procedure it is necessary to place it in oil or water.

Secrets of the Amber Room

Catherine Palace, located in the vicinity of St. Petersburg, attracts tourists from all over the world. Amber mining was actively conducted even a few centuries ago, so sculptors and architects often decorated with their elements of fossilized resin.

At the exit from the Portrait Hall, the gaze of the tourist is a fascinating sight. The walls, floor and ceiling of the newly created amber room are decorated with bright orange pebbles, and it seems that all the sunlight is concentrated in this one room. German sculptors created this masterpiece for the Prussian King Frederick I three centuries ago, later his possessor was Peter I. The original was lost during the Great Patriotic War and was restored several decades later. The fate of the amber room is still unknown. There is an opinion that it was burnt or was taken out by the Nazis.

Stone by the sign of the horoscope

Fashion for jewelry, corresponding to the temperament or the date of birth of a person, is relevant for many years. No wonder they say that a stone, suitable for the sign of the zodiac, is able to protect a person all his life, heal from illnesses and give energy. If geology studies the origin of the stone and its interaction with other rocks, the interaction of minerals with the human aura is handled by a special science - astrology. Many people do not know what amber is, but have already heard about the miraculous power of this miracle of nature. It has long been proven that the placement of stars has an impact on the nature and fate of a person, so specialists in this matter try to pick up not just a beautiful decoration, but a talisman.

Amber is suitable for people born under the fire sign of the zodiac, especially the lions. This stone in itself symbolizes sunlight, so its owners are able to transmit power and energy. It is not recommended to choose an ornament with a talisman stone as a gift, since a person may not like it or not approach it. If amber is not fake, those born under the zodiac sign of fire will immediately feel its power. The stone is of several shades. White is recommended to wear romantic natures, orange and red - people with low blood pressure. Black amber is called "gagat", and it is advised to be worn by scientists and philosophers.

Beads, bracelets, charms, earrings ...

Real fashionists always choose massive ornaments with large sparkling stones that will be visible on the ears or neck even from afar. Depending on the sign of the zodiac, under which a woman is born, a pebble is chosen, which will protect it throughout life. For "fiery" natures, the best gift is amber. The ring with this pebble will look spectacular and will become an indicator of the good taste of its owner. If the earrings with a large stone seem too heavy, it is better to choose an elongated shape (droplets) - this stylish decoration is perfect for young people or women of age. The keychain with the fossilized resin will protect from evil forces and impart energy. For a genuine material will have to pay a high price, but the purchase will justify all the wishes of the potential owner and will lift the mood.

Beware of fakes!

Today, in view of the high demand for jewelry made of natural stones, unscrupulous manufacturers are increasingly beginning to deceive buyers and offer a counterfeit jewelry at an inflated price. Do not trust online stores, it's best to buy a stone from amber. The photo in the catalog may seem attractive, but in fact for a magic talisman can produce epoxy or plastic processed by chemicals. This amber can not be soft, since for millions of years the wood resin by properties becomes approximate in structure to the stone. An extraneous smell is also an index of forgery, but inexperienced people often come across tricks of swindlers and again acquire a jewel with a scent of wood. A suspiciously low price for the product also suggests that unsophisticated, trusting buyers are trying to offer a fake. Amber raw in Kaliningrad on average costs $ 3-5 per gram, and inclusions - several times more expensive.