The History of Birthstones
A beautiful gem that symbolizes a person’s birthday is a special and thoughtful gift. Some people wear their birthstone on a daily basis and feel a deep connection with the gem. Others haven’t really thought about their birthstones since they learned about them as kids. Whether or not you enjoy collecting your own birthstone, knowing…
The Different Types of Fossils
There’s more to fossils than just dinosaur bones that paleontologists find at a dig site. A fossil can be an insect found stuck inside hardened tree resin or an imprint of an animal track preserved in the hardened mud. Let’s dig into the different types of fossils that can be found and how they help…
Health Benefits of Baltic Amber
For centuries, people have coveted Baltic amber for its unique beauty. It’s been made into gorgeous jewelry and passed down from generation to generation. Along with its beauty, it has also been sought out for its amazing healing properties. Many use amber to help alleviate pain, boost the immune system, and overall protect the body…
The Baltic Amber Road
The Danube River, a major route for the ancient amber trade. There’s a rich history of trade in the Baltic region, and amber jewelry has always played a large role in that market. Baltic amber has been highly prized throughout history, and continues to be sold around the world today. But while we can now…
How are Insects Trapped in Amber?
Some of the most spectacular pieces of Baltic amber contain insects and other life forms within. These long-dead creatures are forever on show, encased within their golden tombs. But how does this amazing situation happen? Baltic amber is made of fossilized tree resin, so the creatures became stuck while the resin was a liquid. The…
How to Store Baltic Amber Jewelry
If you have some Baltic amber jewelry, you’re holding onto something really special. Not only did it take millions of years to create the gems, but also each piece is completely unique due to its organic nature. To keep this exceptional jewelry beautiful for many years to come, there are certain steps you should take…
How to Clean and Care for Baltic Amber Jewelry
Amber jewelry is beautiful, and part of what makes it special is how delicate and fragile it can be. Since amber is made of petrified tree resin, it’s an organic gem (like pearl), making it a bit softer and more brittle than some other gemstones. However, this shouldn’t be a big problem if you take…
Amber vs Copal – What’s the Difference?
If you’re familiar with amber jewelry, you may have come across the mention of copal. While they both can look the same, there are several differences between the two gems. So what exactly is the difference, and why is there debate surrounding it? Below, Aistre for Amber will look into both copal and amber, including…
How to Identify Fake Baltic Amber
When you set out to buy a piece of Baltic amber jewelry, whether it’s a bracelet for your sweetheart or a teething necklace for your new baby, you want to make sure that what you’re purchasing is not fake Baltic amber. How do you do that? There are a few simple tests that can be…
Amber Jewelry – The Perfect Valentines Day Gift
Valentines day is right around the corner and the stores are filled with heart shaped boxes full of candy and stuffed animals that will just get shoved in a closet. Is it time to think outside the heart shaped box and give your someone special something they will cherish for years to come? If you…
The Many Possible Colors of Amber
When you think of amber, you most likely envision a butterscotch or whiskey color of yellow or orange. While these are the most common colors for amber, there are actually lots of other possible hues, from red to white to even blue. These different colors occur as a result of the source of the gem.…
Baltic Amber Jewelry is the Perfect Gift for the Holidays!
When you sit down to write out your gift list for the holiday season, of course you want to get that perfect gift for every person. For some, the perfect gift idea comes easily, but for others, there will be more thought involved. If you happen to find a handmade gift, it not only shows…
The History of Amber Jewelry
Amber jewelry is beautiful, but to fully understand its true beauty, it’s helpful to know a bit about its history and origin. Amber, also known as succinite, is the fossilized resin of trees. Much of it comes from the Baltic region, where it washes up onto the beaches and can be easily collected. Amber has…