Baltic Amber Pendant, Butterscotch (p48b)

Description

Amber is a product of nature, the fossilized resin produced by ancient plants that existed almost 100 million years ago. When cleaning amber use only a soft damp (not wet) cloth and water. A mild soap may be added, but never chemical cleaners or material with harsh surfaces. Do not expose amber to hair spray or other chemical sprays and substances. Protect all your fine jewelry from damage, store it well, wear it on appropriate occasions. Amber has been prized for its mystery and beauty by cultures dating from the Paleolithic to the present. The story of the natural history of amber spans time, the continents, and many peoples and societies. It also ranges from religion and art, to commerce and the cutting edge of contemporary science, presenting an unusually rich and deep subject. Most often, amber is known in its warm, translucent deep yellow form. But it is found in a full range of colors, from dark brown up to light golden yellow. Rarely, amber appears in an opaque form with colors ranging from white through ivory. In ancient Greece amber became widely valued around 1600 BC. Greeks were fascinated by it. In their mythology, amber was made from the tears of a nymph as they dropped into water. The ancient Greek word for amber is elektron, meaning - originating from the Sun. From Greece, amber went to other Mediterranean nations. Articles made with Baltic amber were found in the tomb of Egypt's King Tut, who died in 1323 BC. Ancient Romans loved amber as well. Jewelry, decorative articles, dice, and amulets were made with amber. To bring more amber, trade expeditions were made to the Baltic Sea in what is now Poland.