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Amber
Amber is a fossilized resin of coniferous trees of the Sciadopityaceae family, rich in succinic acid, an element that gives it its special properties. The age of amber ranges from 30 to 100 million years, making it one of the oldest minerals in the world.
Formed from molecular polymers, amber owes its existence to high pressures and temperatures exerted by the overlying sediments, initially transforming the resin into copal and then, millions of years later, into the valuable amber.
Although many tree resins exist, most are destroyed by natural and biological processes, making amber a rare and valuable material.
Its color range, from light blond to dark brown, is due to various factors, such as the type of tree and geological conditions.
The Value of Amber
The presence of trapped insects or plants inside amber significantly increases its value, making it a prized object for collectors and scientists. Declining mining in the Baltic, the main source of amber, is contributing to its price increase.
The Etymology of Amber
The word “amber” comes from the Arabic “kahruba“, meaning “that which attracts straw”, referring to amber’s ability to become electrified when rubbed. The ancient Greeks called it “elektron“, thus giving its name to the phenomenon of electricity.