Celtic Amber
Celtic Amber
 |
US $23.63
Amber Jewellery; A Guide To Why And How It Is Used In Jewellery
Amber is a fascinating substance. It is commonly regarded as a gemstone but unlike most others it does not have a mineral origin. Deposits of resin from certain pine trees were fossilized at the bottom of the sea for millions of years creating amber. It is known for its many inclusions that ensure each piece is unique. The inclusions are generally small pieces of plant or insect matter that fossilized within the resin. Due to this amazing preservation technique archaeologists have come to regard amber as a window into biological history.
Mining Amber
Amber is collected in two main ways. In certain areas, notably around the Baltic sea, it washes up onto the shore. Amber gathering has taken any number of opportunistic forms over the years including diving for amber or collecting it on horse back with long poles and nets in the marshy areas. Collecting amber used to be an important source of revenue for villagers, a traditional cottage industry. Nowadays industrial mining of large deposits has become the staple source of amber.
Most of the amber in the world is to be found in the Baltic regions around Russia and Poland.
Uses of Amber
The human history of amber appears to span back an exceptionally long way. There is evidence from as far back as 8000 B.C. suggesting amber has been treasured by humans. Amber items from antiquity have been found as far spread as ancient South America, the North Pole, in Tutankhamen's tomb and one of the earliest pieces in Great Briton was found in a Celtic burial mound dating from 1200 B.C..
Amber has been a highly desired product for as long as it has been known. The trade routes along which amber was transported, known as the 'amber roads,' were always fiercely contested and protected in antiquity as they guaranteed prosperity to those in control of them. Amber was known as 'northern gold'. The Roman historian Pliny wrote that a small amount of amber was more valuable that a male slave in his prime. Nowadays it is the rarer forms of amber that have the greater price tag.
Amber is mythically associated with safety and continuity. One of the continuing uses over the years has been in the form of talismans and amulets meant to provide safety for the wearer. In India and other countries necklaces of amber are placed around children's necks to protect them from kidnap. When rubbed with a cloth amber has electrical properties; possibly why many cultures have associated it with providing healing energy. It is considered a good stone to give as a present to family members as it is thought to strengthen bonds and help with overcoming obstacles.
Amber Jewellery
Golden orange tones are commonly associated with amber. But it is also possible to get rarer forms that are highly desired, including opaque or even blue amber. These types are considerably more expensive. Modern technology allows us to heat treat amber which means that it is widely available in a myriad of colours including yellows, greens and oranges.
Today there is a thriving jewellery industry based around amber products. Although only about 20% of all mined amber is suitable for use in jewellery. Commonly it is set into silver, but there are now luxurious gold and amber products available as well. Due to its unique qualities and range of natural and beautiful colours it remains as popular today as it ever has been.
About the Author
Amy works as part of the customer service team at Find Jewellery helping customers in both the shop and online store find their perfect present. You can find Amy, and the rest of the Find Jewellery team at http://www.findjewellery.co.uk
|
|
Sterling Silver Green Amber $36.99 Ancient Baltic amber in forest shades of green. These stunning pieces are intertwined with Celtic knot settings. Boxed. 100% genuine amber from Poland. 1 1/4 pendant on 18 chain and 1 drop earrings. |
|
|
Sterling Silver Honey Amber Celtic Kidney Wire S Earrings $53.43 Plum Island Silver Company is a leading supplier of Sterling Silver Jewelry. We have one of the largest selections of Sterling Silver Jewelry in the world. Our customer service is unexcelled. Give us a try and see why we are America s Favorite Sterling Silver Supplier . Sterling silver HONEY AMBER CELTIC KIDNEY WIRES EARRINGS |
|
|
Trinity Knot Ring with Amber Stone $54.99 A lovely amber stone highlighted on either side with a Celtic knot work band. Whole sizes 5 ? 10. |
|
|
Amber $8.49 Amber |
|
|
Celtic $209.99 Celtic - Wall Tapestry |
|
|
Sterling Silver Green Amber Pendant $49.99 Ancient Baltic amber in forest shades of green. These stunning pieces are intertwined with Celtic knot settings. Boxed. 100% genuine amber from Poland. 1 1/4pendant on 18 chain and 1 drop earrings. |
|
|
Sterling Silver And Green Amber Celtic Pendant With Leather Cord $43.99 This green amber is beautifully showcased between sterling silver trinity knots. Pendant measure 1 diameter with 5 mm amber stone. Leather cord measures 16 with sterling silver clasp. See matching earrings JM106. From Poland. Web Exclusive! |
|
|
Celtic FC - Classic Celtic $5.99 Celtic FC - Classic Celtic |
|
|
Celtic Dark Amber Round Knot Art Magnet by CafePress $4 Celtic Knot done in various semi-precious stone colors. Art Magnet Stick 'em up with our fun and functional magnets. Holds refrigerator notes, photos, dress up a school locker, room or workspace. Adds stylish fun to any room. Collect 'em, trade 'em. 2.25 inch diameter. Metal shell. Flat magnet |
|
|
Kokomo Light Amber Cathedral Celtic Stained Glass $8.65 Kokomo Glass, the same high-quality glass used by Louis C. Tiffany, features magnificent colors and a smooth, easy-to-cut surface. |
|
|
Sterling Silver Ladies Rectangular Green Amber Ring With Celtic Weave Band Size: 7 $43.81 Plum Island Silver Company is a leading supplier of Sterling Silver Jewelry. We have one of the largest selections of Sterling Silver Jewelry in the world. Our customer service is unexcelled. Give us a try and see why we are America s Favorite Sterling Silver Supplier . Sterling silver LADIES RECTANGULAR GREEN AMBER RING with CELTIC WEAVE BAND |
|
|
Sterling Silver Ladies Rectangular Honey Amber Ring With Celtic Weave Band Size: 7 $54.99 Plum Island Silver Company is a leading supplier of Sterling Silver Jewelry. We have one of the largest selections of Sterling Silver Jewelry in the world. Our customer service is unexcelled. Give us a try and see why we are America s Favorite Sterling Silver Supplier . Sterling silver LADIES RECTANGULAR HONEY AMBER RING with CELTIC WEAVE BAND |
|
|
Celtic Bead $58 Celtic Bead |
|
|
Celtic Shamrock $10 Celtic Shamrock |
|
|
Celtic Cross $10 Celtic Cross |
|
|
Bloem Celtic $6 Bloem Celtic |
|
|
Celtic Pentagram $6 Celtic Pentagram |
|
|
Celtic Woman $12.49 Celtic Woman |
|
|
Celtic Tranquility $4.99 Celtic Tranquility |
|
|
Celtic Chillout $4.99 Celtic Chillout |
|
|
Celtic Tapestry $11.49 Celtic Tapestry |
|
|
Celtic Harp $5.99 Celtic Harp |
|
|
Celtic Favourites $4.99 Celtic Favourites |
|
|
Celtic Joy $11.49 Celtic Joy |
|
|
Celtic Box $12.49 Celtic Box |
|
|
Celtic Pride $4.99 Celtic Pride |
|
|
The Celtic Collection $5.99 The Celtic Collection |
|
|
Celtic Wedding $6.49 Celtic Wedding |
|
|
Cowboy Celtic $12.49 Cowboy Celtic |
|
|
Celtic Christmas $8.99 Celtic Christmas |
|
|
The Celtic Harp $6.49 The Celtic Harp |
|
|
Celtic Skies $12.49 Celtic Skies |
|
|
Celtic Experience $4.49 Celtic Experience |
|
|
Celtic Minstrel $8.99 Celtic Minstrel |
This entry was posted on Monday, March 30th, 2009 at 8:57 pm and is filed under Uncategorized. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.