Amber is particularly popular in the jewelry market. This bright sunny stone has long won the hearts of fashionistas, as it is distinguished by its ideal shine, soft shade and versatility in terms of combination with different looks. However, the most in demand is raw amber, which has not been polished or cut. It is believed that such a stone has amazing energy and looks very impressive.
Description
Amber is not a mineral; it does not form crystals in nature. It is a fossilized resin, a hardened resinous thick mass that comes out of cuts in coniferous trees. Covered with new layers, such resin forms an amazing stone, which has not lost its popularity for several centuries.
Raw amber is a stone that has not undergone any treatment. Its appearance remains in its original form - the one in which nature itself created it.
Main characteristics:
- shades: common - from light yellow to brown, less common are red, almost colorless, milky white, greenish;
- low hardness - 2.5 on the Mohs scale;
- transparency usually varies - from completely transparent, almost transparent to completely opaque;
- becomes fragile when aging;
- Excellent polishability;
- becomes electrified by friction;
- It ignites easily even from the flame of a match, while emitting a pleasant aroma.
Since the discovery of amber, stones that contain special inclusions have been especially valued. They are called inclusions. These are fossils of living organisms that have stuck to resin and then become covered with new layers of resin. The most common inclusions are representatives of insects, plants, and less often - vertebrates and mammals. Unprocessed amber with such content looks unusual and unique. Inside the sun stone you can find spiders, ants, flies, beetles, mosquitoes, bees, dragonflies, midges, but there are also plant inclusions - blades of grass, fluff, animal fur, moss, tree bark, plant stems.
Unprocessed amber, in which such inclusions are larger than 10 mm in size, is considered precious.
There are a lot of amber deposits: Ukraine, Russia, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Dominican Republic, Mexico.
Amber tincture
Amber tincture is not as popular as beads, because few people know about it. But in vain, such a tincture has truly wonderful properties, it saturates the body with energy and gives a person many years of life. In order to prepare it, you need to know the following recipe.
Take a 0.5 liter dark glass bottle. Put 15 pieces of amber there and pour vodka. Then leave all this in a dark, cool place for a month. A dessert spoon of this tincture is taken before each meal. After it ends, it will be necessary to prepare it again so that after a month or two the treatment can be repeated. Amber pieces can be reused, but not very many times.
Properties
It is believed that it is in its raw form that amber most strongly exhibits its healing and magical properties.
Magical
In ancient times, the stone was considered a powerful amulet that attracted love and luck. In addition, it was valued as an instrument that can satisfy any desires of its owner.
Magical properties also include:
- gives happiness, health, good luck;
- enhances the insight of its owner, helps to make the right decision not only in matters of love, but also in friendship;
- helps to become more balanced and calm;
- protects from troubles on a long journey;
- protects family relationships from envious people, gossip, quarrels, and betrayals.
Medicinal
The healing properties of amber have long been proven. Succinic acid, which is part of the stone, promotes the health of its owner, strengthens the immune system, and improves the functioning of many organs.
So, the medicinal properties include:
- treats diseases of the respiratory system and thyroid gland;
- has a positive effect on the functioning of the nervous system;
- has a wound healing and regenerating effect;
- inhibits the aging process of the skin;
- saturates cells with oxygen, prevents the appearance of wrinkles;
- anti-inflammatory effect;
- bactericidal and disinfectant properties;
- has a positive effect on blood composition, helps with anemia and hypoxic conditions;
- eliminates headaches and toothaches;
- fights stress and its consequences.
Thus, it is clear that the medicinal properties of raw amber are quite diverse. However, you should not rely only on the stone. If you notice any symptoms that indicate any disease, you should first consult a qualified doctor. As a rule, amber is used only as an auxiliary tool for treatment, but by no means the main and only one!
How to distinguish amber from a fake at home - verification methods
There are several reliable ways to distinguish natural amber from fakes. In each of them, the unique physical and chemical properties of the original stone play an important role. Substitutes either do not have these characteristics or have them in much smaller quantities.
For example, real stones are characterized by low thermal conductivity. Upon tactile contact, amber is warm, glass is not. The hardness of artificial stone is also higher than that of natural stone. You can even feel it with your fingers. Copal and cowrie, on the contrary, have a softer structure.
Visual inspection
It is important to carry out a visual inspection. The unusual structure of natural stone is its “calling card”. Microcracks, inclusions, and heterogeneous structure indicate its natural origin. Glass products, on the other hand, are characterized by transparency and play of light. Plastic objects exhibit similar properties at lower intensities.
Inclusions
Previously, the main distinguishing feature of authenticity was the presence of insects or other fragments. Currently, technological progress has made it possible to place any elements inside the work. It is extremely difficult to assess their ancient origins. You should also pay attention to the air bubbles inside. Their spherical shape defines the stone as natural. Elongated bubbles indicate less dense material, which is clearly a fake.
Aroma
Let's look at the features of the smell. The smell of the original stone intensifies when heated, for example by rubbing. You can also apply a hot needle to a less visible area. This manipulation will reveal the aroma of rosin (a mixture of pine needles and cloves).
Electrostatic charge
One of the main properties of amber is its ability to attract lint and small pieces of paper when rubbed intensively. Nowadays, plastic can also become electrostatic, but not to the same extent. Other types of resins do not have these properties.
Ultraviolet testing
The action of an ultraviolet lamp will help us distinguish natural amber from fakes. The transparent stone glows blue with varying intensities. Darker, smoky samples glow pale blue when exposed to ultraviolet light. The bone variety glows milky white with a slight bluish tint.
It is important to use all of the above testing methods together. In this case, there is a high probability of obtaining an accurate result.
Application
Raw amber is used in many industries:
- Jewelry making is the creation of jewelry. Earrings, beads, bracelets, rings, necklaces, brooches - all these products are made with raw amber.
- Art - embroidery of paintings and icons, various figurines, household items - dishes, figurines, stands, chess, boxes, watches and much more.
- Industry - low-quality amber, its crumbs and substandard stone are used for the production of succinic acid, oils and rosin, which are used in perfumes, pharmaceuticals, and in the manufacture of paints.
- Food industry, crop farming, poultry farming and livestock farming - succinic acid is used.
- Medicine - production of laboratory glassware, instruments, devices.
This is not a complete list of uses for raw amber. The stone is used in many industries due to its beneficial properties.
Rules for using amber products
Amber products in the house must be kept as far as possible from heating and heating devices, direct active sunlight, air conditioners and other sources of both high and very low temperatures. Sudden changes in air temperature are also very unfavorable for the structure of the stone. You should not wear amber jewelry in the sauna or go out into the frosty air in the winter.- Amber can easily deform under the influence of mechanical influences, so handling it must be quite careful, careful and attentive. It is not advisable to throw or drop amber items, as they may break.
- You should not touch amber with dirty hands; it is especially harmed by various fats - lard, sunflower oil and others. Remember this simple rule of clean hands.
- Contacts of amber with perfumes and household detergents are also very undesirable. Try to perfume yourself before wearing amber jewelry, as just a few drops of perfume can harm the stone, and never do household chores in it that require the use of chemicals.
Who is suitable according to their zodiac sign?
According to astrologers, raw amber is most suitable for Cancer, Leo, Sagittarius, Aquarius and Pisces. In astrology, it is associated with the Sun and the element of Fire.
However, it is worth noting that the energy of the stone is exclusively positive, and therefore its use is not contraindicated for anyone, including representatives of other zodiac signs. Therefore, if you like this stone, wear it with pleasure and for your benefit.
How to restore shine to a stone?
Polishing . The procedure is used to care for round amber beads that have no dents or uneven edges. The easiest way to carry out the event is to rub the mineral with a flannel rag. The points of attachment to the thread - the holes - can additionally be treated with a toothbrush or a special brush designed for cleaning jewelry. The device is sold in jewelry stores.
For the second polishing method you will need a salt bath . The amber jewelry is soaked in it for 7–8 hours. After the specified time has passed, the beads are taken out and thoroughly polished using woolen cloth.
Important! Regardless of your polishing method, be sure to coat your jewelry with sunflower oil.
Ice bath . Solution for amber beads that have lost their luster due to lack of use and dust. Algorithm of actions:
Cleaning with a mixture of paraffin and tooth powder . Pre-crushed paraffin is mixed with the second ingredient and the mixture is applied to a flannel rag so that the rag is evenly covered with the composition. Afterwards, each individual bead is wiped with it.
After cleaning is complete, there may be some leftover homemade cleaning paste left on your jewelry. They get rid of them using another rag, also soft, but clean and dry.
Gluing a gem
Sometimes it is necessary to firmly connect the amber parts together. For gluing use:
- 50% aqueous solution of sodium or potassium, which is used to lubricate the surfaces of the parts, then heated to a certain temperature and pressed tightly together;
- amber varnish and sodium alcohol solution;
- celluloid solution;
- solution of solid copal in ether.
How to prevent clouding?
The key to success is periodic processing . It is necessary to wash the product in warm water from time to time (cold or hot water will do more harm than good). If the jewelry is very expensive, then it is better not to risk it and replace the water procedures with wrapping with wet napkins.
Important! At the end of the event, the item should be immediately wiped dry. If you put it off until later, the stone will fade again.
It is also worth properly organizing storage . Recommendations for care and placement of decoration:
also avoid contact with food (especially fatty and acid-containing foods) and adhesive mixtures, protect the product from animals and insects, and do not give access to it to small children. If these rules are followed and cleaning is carried out in a timely manner, the attractiveness of an amber necklace or pendant is not in danger.
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Graduated from the economics department of the Aviation University. Married, has a daughter. Loves to play musical instruments and spend time in pleasant communication. She always strives to learn something interesting and master a new craft. Loves to cook for the whole family. Life motto: “Never give up!”
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