Amber Jewelry Blog...

Saturday 19th May 2012 08:27:35 PM •

Kids and Teens: School Time: Science

What is amber?

A common misconception with Amber is that it is tree sap; it is actually fossilised resin from ancient forests. The tree resin is exuded for a number of reasons such as protection for an injury to the tree, protection against biological or insect attack etc. The resin has then hardened and been preserved in the earths crust. Although Amber is regarded as a gem it is actually an organic substance that does not have the organic matter replaced by minerals. Pieces of amber are not cold and hard like most other gems. I have seen it described as 'organic plastic' to try and describe its weight and texture. Whilst I understand this description I think it takes away from the mystery and romance of this gem. Amber is also sometimes known as Succinite.

What are the different colours?

The huge variety of colours and the uniqueness of every piece is partly what makes this gem so popular. There are over 250 identified shades. The differing shades are due to the kind of tree the resin came from, the inclusions, the age of the amber and also the area in the world it comes from. Although amber deposits can be found all over the world there are only approximately 20 where it can be commercially mined.

Class Pages • Experiments • Homework Help • Measurement • News • Science Fairs • Scientists • TV Shows •

What are Inclusions in Amber

Inclusions are small objects which become embedded in the resin prior to it hardening and are part of what makes this gem truly fascinating. It was the very inclusion of a mosquito in a piece of amber that started the fictional theme park 'Jurassic Park' and it was at this point that Amber became more popular and fascinating to a wider audience in modern day. Because of this tree resin it means that anyone can own something that is millions of years old. This is part of its charm and romance.

A variety of small animals have been caught in these resin 'traps' such as fleas, ticks, millipedes and mosquitoes as well as items like seeds, roots, spores and Lichen. What I personally find the most fascinating are the ones that got away! Pieces of amber have been found with animal paw prints and have, on rare occasions, contained a few hairs or feathers from animals that have fled from its sticky clutches. All of these inclusions have enabled scientists to build an accurate picture of some of the plants and animals these forest contained and build more accurate pictures of earth in those times.

Amber From the Baltic.

The class of organic gemstones is quite small, but includes some unusual varieties which are important in the gem trade, including pearl, coral, ivory and amber. All the organic gems are rather unusual, but none more than amber. Amber is the fossilized hardened resin of the pine tree, Pinus succinifera, formed mainly in the Eocene epoch of the Tertiary period, about 50 million years ago. Amber has been used since prehistoric times for jewelry, amulets and religious objects. The most prized pieces contain inclusions of insects or plants or pyrites.

Yellow, orange and brown are the most common colors for amber, though rare blue amber is found in the Dominican Republic. The term "amber" has entered the English language as the color that is halfway between yellow and orange. The clarity of natural amber ranges from transparent to opaque. Most pieces have bubbles or inclusions. When polished amber has a resinous luster.

Unlike most gemstones, amber is amorphous rather than crystalline. It is fairly soft, with a rating of 2-2.5 on the Mohs hardness scale. While it is durable enough to have survived for millions of years, it is sensitive to acids, caustic solutions, gasoline, alcohol and perfume. It will burn if ignited by a match, releasing an incense-like odor.

One of the most unique characteristics of amber is that it is exceptionally light. It has a density or specific gravity of only 1.05 to 1.09. Amber is so light that it will float in salt water. Amber's low density makes it difficult to imitate with glass or plastic, which have much higher densities. By way of comparison, the total volume of a 5 carat piece of amber is 2.5 times the volume of a 5 carat piece of zircon (one of the denser gem materials).
GemSelect is a leading online dealer in fine gemstones, specializing in amber, sapphire, spinel and tourmaline.
Visit our website: http://www.gemselect.com/

Chinese • Chinese Simplified • Czech • Danish • Dutch • French • German • Italian • Japanese • Spanish •

What has Amber been used for?

Currently Amber is enjoying a resurgence in its popularity as a gem that can make truly unique and beautiful jewelry, but has had many varied uses in the past.

The Romans used it in coins amongst other things.
A variety of religious objects including rosaries.
Amber attracts lint with static electricity when rubbed.
In the past it is thought to protect the wearer from kidnapping and aging and keep evil spirits away.
Cure for a variety of conditions such as headaches and rheumatic pain and enhance fertility.
Amber brings the wearer good luck in a variety of situations from going to war to getting married.
Often used as grave goods for a variety of reasons.
Thrown into fires to release aromatic fragrances.

Amber has always been popular and its use can be traced back to Neolithic times. The uniqueness of the gem has inspired different cultures throughout history to marvel, wonder and sometimes kill for it. We have always loved Amber and so it was only fitting that the first web site we set-up was to sell Amber Jewelry. The article is drawn from many years of reading about amber to satisfy our curiosity. My sister and I hope this will be the first of many articles on this fascinating topic. Please visit our site http://newamberjewelry.com/home to see if you agree with us regarding the diversity of this gem.

A Science Odyssey [ ] - Presents the people and the discoveries of 20th century science and technology in a variety of accessible, and interactive Web features. Based on the PBS television series.
Activities and Quizzes on Science [ ] - Activities, games, and quizzes on a variety of science topics. Wonderful study aid for children aged 9-13.
Adventures in Science and Technology [ ] - Introduces chemistry, physics, biology, engineering, and computer science. In English and French.
Alaska Science Forum [ ] - Groups of articles on a wide array of topics, like volcanoes, geology, living in the North, bugs, weather, and pets. Lots of weird facts.
Ask Dr. Universe [ ] - All sorts of big and small questions are answered here, and include things that puzzle kids worldwide.
BBC Science & Nature [ ] - Useful information about humans, animals, space and the planet we live on. Includes quizzes, picture galleries, games, and news stories.
Bill Nye the Science Guy [ ] - Check out the daily demo, watch a video clip or listen to an audio clips, and learn more about Bill Nye himself.
CAGIS - Canadian Association for Girls In Science [ ] - Club for girls who get together with women scientists and do fun experiments. Site also has games and experiments to do at home.
Careers in Life Science Information for Students [ ] - Links to sites offering information about various science careers, mostly in the life sciences, but also including astronomy.
Cogito [ ] - Features information about science news and student achievements. Page includes list of summer programs, academic competitions and resource links.
Cotton Counts [ ] - Collection of educational articles about the history, growing and processing, economic impact and applications of cotton fiber.
Detecting the Truth: Fakes, Forgery and Trickery [ ] - Explains why and how people have changed paintings, maps, books, and money throughout history, and shows the tools and techniques used to detect them.
Discovery Kids [ ] - Delivers informative articles, online games, a chat room, online science games, live web cams, showcase of video clips, and a station guide.
Discovery School: A-to-Z Science [ ] - Offers homework help, articles, interactive activities, virtual tours, science fair ideas, and projects for kids.
Earth Rangers [ ] - Environmentally themed articles and activities for kids, a chance to meet animal ambassadors, play games and protect biodiversity with the Bring Back the Wild campaign.
Enzoology - Bugs, Animals and Dinosaurs [ ] - Learn about insects, animals, sea life and dinosaurs with your host, Enzo.
Explain that Stuff [ ] - Includes articles about science and technology, including space, computing, and nuclear power.
Funky Lab [ ] - Presents a mix of science information and activities, from toilets to steam engines. Includes quizzes, games, videos and articles on the science and the history of science.
Girls Reaching Out With Science [ ] - Pairs middle school girls in Columbus, Ohio, with mentors at Capital University to study science.
History Of The Universe [ ] - A short history of the universe, earth, life, explained in simple terms. Begins with the big bang theory and ends with the computer age.
Hot Science Sites [ ] - A directory from the CSIRO Science club magazine covering a wide range of subjects.
How Stuff Works [ ] - Articles explain how hundreds of things work, from elements of the human body to space-age technology.
How Stuff Works Express [ ] - Offers fun and informative articles about research and extraordinary people. Also includes information on hot sites, cool books, internet projects, and experiments. Includes teacher support materials.
How a Galileo Thermometer Works [ ] - Illustrated tutorial explains the operation of the Galileo thermometer.
Ingenious: Seeing Things Differently [ ] - Find debates, photographs, and articles that create insights into science and culture. Offers the opportunity to personalize image collections, web galleries, and e-cards.
Interactive Science Crosswords [ ] - Fill in the answers to the clues in the puzzles and learn about matter, physics, biology and environmental topics.
K-12 Science Jokes And Humor [ ] - Jokes organized by topic, including biology, earth science, chemistry, Einstein, math, and physics.
Kaboom! [ ] - Talks about how fireworks work, the different elements used in fireworks and how buildings are imploded.
Kid's Domain: Science Games [ ] - Features a large selection of animal, ecology, space, and dinosaur games.
Kids and Science [ ] - E-community for discovering science in main themes around us. Includes projects and facts, as well as games and fun.
Kids' Place: Science Library Adventures [ ] - Online science adventures for kindergarten and elementary school students.
Kinetic City [ ] - A science radio show for kids, updated weekly. Keep up with the latest adventures of the Kinetic City Super Crew and do your own science experiments at home.
Magi Early Eastern Philosophers (And a Great Poet) [ ] - Introduction to contributions by Al-Khwarismi, Al-Kindi, and Omar Khayyam in the fields of mathematics, astronomy, medicine, and optics. Period of time discussed is from around 680 AD to 1120 AD in the present day Middle East.
Museum of Science and Technology [ ] - Offers online exhibits, games, research topics, and tips for kids.
NASA Education: For Students [ ] - Covers stories, pictures, careers, programs, research tools, games, and homework topics by grade, K through 12.
NIH Office of Science Education [ ] - Life science education resources for students, teachers, and the general public.
National Science Foundation: News [ ] - A multimedia gallery covering hundreds of current scientific discoveries and observations.
Natural History Museum [ ] - Fun and games section that provides interactive scientific discovery experiments, such as building a volcano and taking a quiz about dinosaurs.
Nature Detectives [ ] - Hundreds of free resources to download and use at home or school.
OLogy [ ] - Learn a lot about astronomy, paleontology, and the definitions of other "ologies" on this site by taking journeys through space and the Gobi Desert. Includes games and activities and is presented by the American Museum of Natural History.
Oakland Museum of California [ ] - Museum specializes in the natural science, history and art of the Golden State. Contains current exhibitions, permanent galleries and projects.
Ontario Science Centre: Science Zone [ ] - Dozens of interactive science activities focus on topics ranging from the human body to computer science.
Patent and Trademark Office Kids' Page [ ] - Learn about inventions, inventors, patents and trademarks through games, contests, calendar, and stories. For all ages.
Playing With Time [ ] - Activities and movies that explore how things change over time. Also includes an overview of the museum exhibit at the Science Museum of Minnesota.
Propane on the Brain [ ] - Experiments, games and safety tips for kids in grades K-8.
Questacon [ ] - The National Science and Technology Centre in Australia presents free games, quizzes and activities to explain science to children and teenagers. Includes fun experiments to try at home, as well as movies and pictures about current exhibitions.
Schoolscience National Curriculum Science [ ] - Written for teachers and students of National Curriculum science in the UK. Covers some biology, chemistry, and physics topics. Well illustrated. Includes some quizzes.
Science Inside Out [ ] - News, information, quizzes and lecture notes from the Royal Institution, United Kingdom. Includes a list of events for schools.
Science Made Simple [ ] - Kids get simple, detailed answers to common science questions. Plus great science projects and experiments, science news and interactive unit measurement conversions.
Science Museum [ ] - Features photos and details of exhibitions, as well as some educational games. Topics covers agriculture, technology, medicine, mathematics, social sciences, measurements, transportation, communications and weather.
Science News for Kids [ ] - Experiments to do, articles to read, science fair projects, puzzles, and games.
Science World [ ] - Interactive world includes simple science fair projects, short biographies of inventors, an introduction to the planets, and a timeline that identifies important dates.
Science for Kids [ ] - Features facts, games, images, quizzes, and experiments.
ScienceInTheBox [ ] - About the science behind Procter and Gamble's laundry and cleaning products. Research and development, safety and sustainability issues.
Scientific Topics [ ] - Contains tutorials covering physics, chemistry, sea battles, minerals, china, airplanes and philosophy.
Skytopia - World's Most Unanswered Science Project [ ] - Collection of science questions relating to physics, chemistry, sound, music, color and light.
Soap Bubbles: Exploratorium [ ] - Explore the forces that mold bubbles, bubble recipes, books about bubbles and links to additional sites.
Strange Matter [ ] - Explore the world of materials science. Investigate structure, properties, processing and performance to discover the secrets of everyday stuff.
The Black Hole Gang [ ] - Learn about the science adventures of Matt, Wei Ling, Rosa, A.J., and Newton. Designed as a resource for kid-friendly science on the web.
The Bubblesphere [ ] - All about soap bubbles. Bubble blowing, solutions, history, fun, Java games, bubble machines and trivia.
The Christopher Columbus Awards [ ] - Competition open to students in grades 6, 7 and 8. Three or four students work as a team to identify a problem in their community, research it, and use science to develop an innovative solution.
The Exploratorium [ ] - A hands-on museum of science, art, and human perception in San Francisco. Site provides interactive online exhibits and exhibitions, activities, science news, and publications, general information about the museum.
The Field Museum [ ] - Maintains exhibits and conducts research for old and new biological specimens, ancient cultural artifacts and geology. Page includes photos of exhibits, interactive map of expeditions, educational programs, and history of the facility. Located in Chicago, IL, USA.
The Flying Turtle [ ] - Illustrated site celebrates and explains the basic scientific principles that govern both nature and human technology.
The Paper Project [ ] - Learn about the simple process of making paper using plants or natural cloth. Page includes illustrations to show the method.
The Why Files [ ] - Explores the science behind the news such as why planes crash, how new diseases break out, and why athletes shouldn't use drugs.
The World of Agnes Pflumm [ ] - Official site for the Agnes Pflumm science education novels. Includes lesson plans, science project help, integrating science and art, links science and literature, and book information. Also includes tips for kids about time management.
The Yuckiest Site on the Internet [ ] - Educational science entertainment about yucky things such as worms. Club Yucky, games, and recipes.
TryScience.org [ ] - Features virtual field trips, virtual experiments and other interactive activities supplied by science centers around the world.
Who Wants to Win a Million Dollars? - The Science Game [ ] - Test your knowledge of math and science as you work your way to the million dollar level. Although the questions are real, the money, unfortunately, is not.
Wonderville [ ] - Zoom around this 3D city playing games and learning about science.
X-Ray for Kids [ ] - Information geared to children about x-rays and interesting x-rays of plants, shells, animals.