Amber Gemstone

Amber is the color of liquid sunshine...yellow for the midday sun, and orange, for the fiery sunsets. It was one of the first stones or substances to be used by very early humans in Asia, Africa and Europe for amulets and decoration.
The two main sources of amber on the market today are the Baltic states and the Dominican Republic. Amber from the Baltic states is older, and therefore preferred on the market, but amber from the Dominican Republic is more likely to have insect inclusions. Prices of amber can range from $20 to $40,000 or more.
In general the sunny energy is used to transmute negative energy, to cheer you up and help open you up to your divine blueprint. It is said to help draw sickness from the body and negativity from the emotional energy. For this reason, some say amber brings good luck!

Scientific Properties:
Mohs Hardness of 2.5 with a amorphous crystal structure.

It is commonly known that amber is the fossilized resin of trees. Most of all amber is golden yellow to golden orange, but there have been found specimens in green, red, violet and black as well.

Transparent to translucent is usually occurs as nodules or small, irregularly shaped masses with a cracked and weathered surface.

Is is also possible for amber to contain insects that have been trapped millions of years ago while the resin was still sticky. It is quite rare that frogs, toads and even lizards have been found preserved as well.

Amber is one of the few stone that can be charged with electricity. When rubbed, amber produces a negative electrical charge that may attract dust. "Ambroid" is formed by heating and pressing together smaller pieces of amber.

The gem world divides amber into specific groups, which include:

• Succinite (Baltic Amber)
• Burmite (Burmese Amber)
• Simetite (Sicilian Amber)
• Rumanite (Rumanian Amber)

The last three are the rarer forms and sources of this substance.

Mystical Properties:
Because amber, unlike other gemstones, is warm to the touch and often contains insect fragments, it was thought to possess life. It was sacred to worshippers of the Mother Goddess in classical times, as it was believed to contain the very essence of life itself - the animating principle.

Due to the fact that amber is a fossil, is has associations with time, cycles and longevity. As it once was a living substance, it is related to Akasha. This is what is commonly called "The Fifth Element", which governs and binds together earth, air, fire and water, and in a sense it the ultimate source of those elements. Akasha is also symbolic of life and living things; plants, animals and humans alike.

All of these mysterious properties and associations make amber on of the most widely used and prized magical substances of all times and places on Earth.

Yellow/Gold/Orange amber is said to enhance the beauty of the wearer. It is used to tap into the power of the Sun, and is good for success, abundance, healing, vitality and joy. It brings the energies of patience, protection, psychic shielding, romantic love, sensuality, purification, balance, healing and calmness to those who wear or carry it. It is considered a good luck charm for marriage.

Healing Properties:
A powerful stone for manifestation, amber is also used for healing of the physical body as well. For over 7,000 years it has been used to stimulate the metabolism and treat skin ailments caused by a metabolic imbalance.
Because of it's warmth it is used also in the treatment of asthma and allergic respiratory problems. Generally wearing amber in a necklace is the most effective for this ailment.

Amber carries a negative electrical energy charge and therefore is good to draw power and energy into its bearer. Amber gives a soothing, light energy that is both calming and energizing at the same time. It can help manifest desires and heighten intellectual abilities, clarity of thought, and wisdom. It cleanses its environment by drawing out negativity, and relieves physical pain the same way.

Zodiac:
Associations: The Sun

Not a Traditional Birthstone for any Month

Stone of Geminis, Leos and Virgos it's gold color symbolizes success.