It’s all down to nature. Amber is a truly fascinating gem that originates from resin. This resin is naturally produced by the tree as a defence mechanism to ensure that wounds are treated and sealed to avoid any further damage from organisms. It is thick and tacky, which oozes from the trunk when the tree has been attacked. Injuries can be caused by storms where branches are snapped or by small insects or fungus. The resin also repairs damage to the inside of the plant making it healthy again.
How Is Amber Formed?
Eventually, resin drizzles slowly down the trunk of the tree trapping tiny creatures and bit of plants on its way. This is how the inclusions become frozen in Amber offering a window to the past, which scientists can analyse to find out more from millions of years ago. Over time, the resin will reach the forest floor and harden to form what we know as Amber. As you can imagine not every bit of resin is turned in the fiery, much loved gem due to stormy weather or parasites.
The conditions have to be just right for resin to turn into Amber. With many threats looming, resin needs to be resistant to all of the elements including the sun, wind and rain as well as bacteria and parasites. To allow for fossilisation its surroundings has be just right. At the beginning of its transition stage, resin can easily be swept into the ocean and buried deep beneath lots of layers of sediment mud.
Where Is Amber Found?
Amber is commonly found in the Baltic region due to several glaciers that flattened many trees, which became buried under wet clay and sediment. The resin whilst completely covered is preserved as the oxygen levels are low whilst in its new surroundings. The fiery, orange glow is a result of the constant pressure and high temperature, which also brings out the terpenes (a strong smelling chemical substance) and is the last stage of the transition to Amber.
Not all trees produce this resin that transforms into the striking gem over millions and millions of years. We’re talking somewhere in between 30-90 million years. The most common variants come from pine and coniferous trees. However, due to the age of most Amber a lot of the plants are now extinct.
Amber on the Shoreline
Amber ends up on the shoreline after a violent storm dislodging the gemstones that have been trapped for so long. Buoyant in water, Amber floats to the beach to be found and made into striking jewellery designs. The turbulent weather during the storm makes the waves become strong and rough giving the stones a slight polish as it makes its way to the coast.
