If you’ve ever strolled along a beach, chances are you’ve come across a small, smooth, and often cloudy piece of amber. This fossilized resin has been coveted for centuries for its beauty and rarity. However, amber that washes up on the shore is often not the same as the precious gemstone found in jewelry stores. Sea Amber, also known as Baltic Amber, is a type of amber that is found specifically along the shores of Estonia, Lithuania, Latvia, and Poland.
What is Sea Amber?
Sea Amber is a type of amber that is formed from the resin of ancient pine trees that grew in the Baltic region during the Eocene epoch, approximately 40 million years ago. Over time, the resin was buried and subjected to heat and pressure, resulting in it hardening to form the crystalline structure of amber.
Unlike traditional amber, which is generally mined from below the earth’s surface, Sea Amber is extracted from the sea, where it washes up along the shore. The unique chemical composition of the Baltic Sea, combined with the impact of waves, tides, and currents, exposes deposits of amber that have been hidden under layers of sand and clay.
The Physical Characteristics of Sea Amber
Sea Amber has a variety of physical characteristics that differentiate it from traditional amber. The most prominent difference is its color. Sea Amber tends to have a milky or opaque appearance, with shades ranging from pale yellow to deep orange. This milky appearance is often a result of the resin mixing with water, sand, and other minerals over time.
Another unique feature of Sea Amber is its lightness. Traditional amber is often heavy, with a density greater than 1 gram per cubic centimeter. Sea Amber, however, has a lower density that hovers around 0.95 grams per cubic centimeter. This lightness has been attributed to the long exposure to saltwater, which makes the amber less dense as a result of the water absorption.
The Cultural Significance of Sea Amber
Sea Amber has been treasured for centuries for its cultural significance. In ancient times, the stone was believed to possess healing properties and was used to treat everything from headaches to arthritis. The Greeks and Romans also believed that the stone could attract good luck and ward off evil spirits.
In more recent times, Sea Amber has become a popular gemstone for jewelry. The stone’s translucent appearance and unique patterns of trapped air bubbles make it an attractive addition to necklaces, bracelets, and earrings.