Amber Jewelry Blog...

Tuesday 22nd May 2012 02:29:19 AM •

Society: People: Women: Science and Technology

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.

Astronomy • Biology • Computers and Internet • Mathematics • Physics •

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).
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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.

Women-Related Science/Technology Sites - Extensive and frequently updated, Includes articles, sites, and projects concerned with information technology
4000 Years of Women in Science - Lists names from our scientific and technical past.
Athena SWAN - The Athena SWAN Charter is a recognition scheme for UK universities and their science, engineering and technology (SET) departments. It aims to assist the recruitment, retention and progression of women in SET.
Engineer Girl - Site intended for girls that highlights opportunities in engineering careers in the United States. Includes links, profiles of women engineers, and interactive features.
European Platform of Women Scientists - The European Platform of Women Scientists will give European women scientists a voice in the research policy debate. The aim is to promote the understanding of the gender issue in science.
Gender, Science, and Technology Gateway - Global web portal presented by the UN Commission on Science and Technology for Development (UNCSTD). Resources, publications, and policy recommendations pertaining to sustainable development.
GirlGeeks - Career site for women in information technology, providing access to jobs, mentors, training and career development resources to help techy women get ahead.
Girls Go Tech - Encourages girls to become interested in math, science, and technology. Also contains games, careers information, and other resources.
Global Alliance for Diversifying the Science and Engineering Workforce - United States government initiative for increasing the participation of women in the science and engineering workforce worldwide and supporting other underrepresented groups. Events, reports, projects, profiles of prominent women, and links.
Institute For Women And Technology - Think tank for investigating how technology should be developed for maximum accessibility and usefulness to women.
Institute for Women in Trades, Technology & Science - Dedicated to integrating women into nontraditional careers by providing training/technical assistance to the education system and employers.
Mums in Science - A portal for busy mothers who work or have worked in any aspect of science.
National Academy of Sciences - Committee on Women in Science and Engineering - Serves as a national focus to advocate action for increasing the participation of women in the science and engineering workforce.
PDK Poster Project - Project by Pam Kivelson that creates paintings and photography to promote in women and girls an awareness and appreciation of science, mathematics, and technology, with a focus on careers in those fields.
Pi Zine - A paper zine published by women who stand outside the social norm. Includes issue excerpts and publication information.
PlanetGrrl - For and by women and grrls in the UK in or interested in new media and technology and other grrl stuff.
Strategies of Inclusion: Gender and the Information Society - European research project by 5 leading universities on current state of women and ICTs, from use through careers to design.
Tapping the Talent - An agenda for action for business to increase the talent available to them by encouraging more young women into science, engineering and technology.
Technicalwoman.com - A discussion board for technical women across the world.
The Daphne Jackson Trust - Enables scientists, engineers and IT specialists to return to work in the UK after a career break.
The Gender Chip Project - "The Gender Chip Project" documentary and companion materials designed to assist teachers, parents and mentors who are encouraging girls to the pursue careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
The Hypatia Institute - Dedicated to gender equity in physics, astronomy, and the sciences in general; with resources for students, teachers, and scientists.
WSSLinks: Science and Technology - A large collection of links to websites relating to Women in Science and Technology.
WiSETI - The University of Cambridge Women in Science, Engineering and Technology Initiative - WiSETI - The University of Cambridge Women in Science, Engineering and Technology Initiative. Organizes events (workshops and lectures).
Women Into Science and Technology - Aims to attract and retain women in mathematics and science courses and careers through a multi-level activity and mentoring program.
Women Scientists - A project of the National Academy of Sciences intended for young people; aims to showcase the accomplishments of contemporary women in science.
Women and Girls Tech Up - Encourages women and girls and the organizations which serve them to use technology to share ideas, opinions, support, creativity and political action.
Women and Science - An EU initiative for research by, for, and about women. Part of the Socio-Economic Knowledge Base and Improving the Human Research Potential programs.
Women in Natural Resources - Magazine designed and written by and for women in forestry, fisheries, wildlife, range, recreation, soils, and the environmental and social sciences as they relate to natural resources.
Women in Science -- UT Austin - Austin Chapter. A community for female students in the Natural Sciences at the University of Texas at Austin.
Women in Technology International - WITI - support and services for women in business and technology.
Women in Technology Project - Vermont Technical College's project to encourage young women in middle school and high school to study math, science and technology. Lots of links.
Women of NASA - Profiles, events, archives.
Women on Women - A support group for women in science.
Women's Initiatives Committee - The Women's Initiatives Committee of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE) aims to assist AIChE in taking a leadership role in promoting the entry, development and full participation of women in the Institute and the profession.
Women-Related Science/Technology Email Lists - Frequently-updated, annotated listing of women-related e-mail lists that focus on science and/or technology.
WomenTechWorld - the Women's Technician Club - Forum for women in technology and trade careers to network with other women technicians and/or employers – offering job listings, e-mentoring, biographies of women role models and an email discussion group.
Is the Glass Half Full? - Women in science. From Scientific American. (April 27, 1998)