Amber Jewelry Blog...

Tuesday 22nd May 2012 03:17:53 AM •

Sports: Walking

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.

Freestyle Walking • Racewalking •

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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Finnish • German •

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.

About Walking - Guide to walking for fitness, recreation, and competitive racewalking. Provides articles, a link library, chat, bulletin board, and newsletter.
Adventure Walking and Travel Tips - Guinness Book of Records record holder Arthur Blessitt give tips about walking and travel.
Beads Lant - Personal homepage with weblog about walking in Nassau County, New York, USA.
Danata's Walking Club Ideas - Personal website with tips on exercise, gear, general fitness pointers and stress relief.
Everybody's Walking - Index - Members only forum for walkers and ramblers.
First Verified Walk Around the World - Documents the Kunst brothers' global walk. Photos, anecdotes and memorabilia.
Health Walkers Inc. - Offers online statistical tracking of fitness activities and goal progress for clubs and individuals. Also provides events to help set and achieve personal goals.
International Volkssport Federation - Official Volkssport site. Description of its purpose, lists walking clubs and their contact information, events worldwide and membership information.
JustWalk.com - Membership site providing information and resources for tracking fitness progress and other goals.
Let's Strollercise - Strollercising is a way for moms and dads to get into shape. Information, tips, medical corner, food, users' questions.
Marathon Walking - Information and tips on walking marathons. Includes training schedules, marathon calendar, and testimonials.
My Walks - Online training log for members.
Outdoor Pursuits - Walking For Health Benefits - Basic information on the benefits of walking for health, state of mind and longevity. Features suggestions for walking in Great Britain.
Steven Newman, the Worldwalker - The official site with biography, resources, forums, and contacts.
The Over the Hill Gang - Volkssport club focused on walking in historic areas of Washington and Oregon.
The Spirit of Walking - Directs viewers to events sponsored by the American Volkssport Association. Links include a tutorial, FAQ, definitions, walking clubs, youth programs, articles and membership information.
The Walk Zone - Includes a collection of walks from various locations in the United Kingdom, plus some from travels to mountainous regions overseas. Includes description, photos and some maps.
The Walking Site - A Resource for Walkers - How to start and maintain a fitness walking program, and where to find walking information. FAQ, clubs, links. Tips for beginners, racewalking, events, marathons, and walking gear.
Walk 4 Life - Yahoo! walking group. Includes forum, photographs, journals, tips and links.
Walk About Magazine - Magazine covering various styles and purposes for walking, fitness, training, weight loss, nutrition. Highlights from current and past issues.
Walkablock Club of America - A national walking club on the Internet. Allows the user to find a walking partner in their city.
Walking - The Alexander Technique - Ways in which this century-old method can help improve the quality of walking.
Walking - the Best Exercise - Expounds the virtues of walking, listing the benefits and linking to sites that go deeper into the various benefits.
Walking Connection - Leads multi-active adventures to some of the most exciting destinations in the world.
Walking France - Offers walking tours in France. Tours, Paris passes and hotels, links, profile, and contacts.
Walking Healthy.com - Information on walking for the non-competitive athlete, includes tips on technique, shoe selection, warming up and cooling down.
Walking Holidays in England and Spain - Offers walking holidays in Calderdale, England, and Spanish hiking holidays. Areas covered, reservations, contacts, and links.
Walking at Active.com - Walking races, events, and training for race walking and walking for fitness. Walkers can search and register online for events nationwide, as well as browse training tips and workouts.
Walking on Skopelos - Guided walking tours of Skopelos, a Greek island in the Northern Sporades are organised and run by Heather. She also produces an island map and the Sotos Walking Guide.
Walking with Weights - Guide to learning how to use weights in conjunction with walking. Exercises for various muscle groups and lessons for the beginner.
Western New York Hiking and Walking - Descriptions and photos of about 30 hiking and walking spots in Western New York. Most are in Erie County.
Wicklow Way Trail - 132km self-guided walking trail in Ireland. Website includes section by section trail descriptions, maps and accommodation listings.
WoW Company - Walk on Water - Physical fitness creates an `anything is possible' attitude toward life and work that is the foundation for excellence. The site offers walking programs for individuals and groups
eGroups: Walklist - Dedicated to walking for fitness, sport, and fun. Walking clubs and events are featured. The members share their experience of walking.
eMedicine Health - Walking for Fitness - Consumer health resource center providing information on the health benefits of walking. Tips on walking routines, exercises, shoes and other equipment.