Amber Laine

Amber Jewelry

22 Facts You Didn't Know about Amber

1. Amber is the lightest and softest of all gemstones
2. Amber is made from plant material, unlike minerals. The only other precious stones that are not mineral in origin are pearl, diamond, jet, and coral
3. Amber has long been associated with the sun: it is known as "sunshine" to Lithuanians, sometimes called "Stone of the Sun"
4. Baltic amber occurs in hundreds of different shades
5. Trapped bugs in amber led ancient peoples to believe that amber is a resting place for departed soul
6. Many cultures, including the Norse and the Greeks, had myths that identified amber as the petrified tears of their gods
7. In the past Amber has been worn to improve fertility
8. Gladiators would sew amber into their clothing, believing it would bring them success in battle
9. Amber's succinic acid is an analgesic and rheumatic relief that has been used for ages to improve health and promote healing
10. Amber's warmth and beauty are said to aid in fighting depression and anxiety and bring joy to the wearer
11. Some say amber's ability to hold static electricity helps causes it to transform negative energy
12. Because of its ability to attract lint, small bits of straw, and other small objects with static electricity, the people of Turkey named amber "straw thief"
13. Amber has been made into teething necklaces to be worn by teething babies (not intended to be chewed), because its natural acids and oils produce a natural analgesic pain reliever when worn against the skin
14. Amber is associated with the signs Leo and Aquarius
15. Amber represents the tenth wedding anniversary
16. Amber is a symbol of eternal life and youth
17. Amber can replace topaz as the birthstone for November
18. The oldest and most highly prized amber comes from the area surrounding the Baltic Sea
19. Amber also comes from the Dominican Republic
20. Amber has been found in ancient graves all around the world
21. The natural plant and insect inclusions in amber have provided scientists a priceless look into what the world looked like millions of years ago
22. The Chinese believed that amber was the transformed soul of a tiger

Amber: Roots in the Earth

The allure and beauty of amber is obvious, its charm is unmistakable, and it's been that way for thousands of years. What makes amber different from other precious stones? The answer lies in its organic roots, and when we say roots, we mean it! Amber is one of few gemstones that has organic instead of mineral origins. It reflects the natural beauty of the earth and the trees that created the amber, and each piece has its own formation story, making amber an intensely individual gemstone. Amber comes in a wide variety of colors. Here at Amber Laine, we describe our amber as Green, Cherry, Cognac, Honey, Citrine, or Butterscotch, but all of those colors feature an enchanting array of possible hues. Over 200 different shades have been identified, but each piece consists of unique variations in color – swirls of darker colorings and clouds of microscopic bubbles causing spots of opacity – making each and every piece of amber one-of-a-kind. People have always been attracted to amber because of its warmth, beauty and seemingly magical properties. Read on, and you’ll find yourself immersed in the story of this natural wonder – be careful though, because just like the natural inclusions in our special collection of amber, you may find yourself trapped in a world of amber!

How is Amber formed?

Amber is made from fossilized tree resin. Resin is not the same thing as tree sap! Resin gets secreted by a tree in response to injury as a way of preventing further damage, or perhaps as a result in rapid change in climate or temperature. As the resin oozes down the tree, it picks up bits of plant and animal matter, which, if the conditions are right, will be trapped when the resin fossilizes. Eventually, after a little time passes (a few million years or so), you could find a piece of amber washed ashore that, after being crafted an polished, is ready to be set into a unique piece of amber jewelry. The substance it forms is very light. Because it weighs so little, this natural beauty makes great large amber jewelry pieces. Most amber used today is between 30-90 million years old. Amber deposits have been found that range between 360 and one million years old. The oldest known amber, found on the Isle of Wight, is 120 million years old.

Amber 101: A History

People have valued amber almost since the beginning of history. Amber was made into polished beads discovered in England from as far back as the Paleolithic Era – about 11,000 B.C. – and was one of the first commercial goods to be traded. The Aisti people of eastern and western Baltic region (ancestors of Latvians and Lithuanians) were some of the first amber gatherers. This warm and sunny wonder of nature has been in demand for over 13,000 years! In fact, during the Middle Ages a person could be executed for collecting amber without permission. Greeks and Romans used amber in a variety of ways, including as currency. Lucky for you there are no knights jealously guarding the king's amber collection these days, and you can purchase amber with ease online. Although Baltic amber jewelry is the most common and most highly valued, amber is also found in the Dominican Republic. Bugs in amber jewelry is especially prized.

Uses for Amber

Because amber contains plant and animal inclusions, and is indeed made from plant resin, Amber was thought to be a vessel of eternal life. The gemstone Amber is one of the birthstones listed for the Sun Sign for Taurus. Amber is associated with Leo and Aquarius. It could also replace topaz as November's birthstone. Amber represents the tenth wedding anniversary, symbolizing eternal love and continued fidelity. Amber has been found in Egyptian tombs, where it was probably used as a preservative. Amber has long been thought to have healing powers, and has been used medicinally. Even today, amber teething necklaces are used because they have natural acids and oils that produce a natural analgesic pain reliever when worn against your baby's skin. Amber is believed to be antiseptic, due to the succinic acids. Amber is still commonly used in incense. Even today it is thought that wearing amber jewelry will give the wearer confidence, balance her mood mood, and chase away depression and anxiety.

Could My Amber be Fake?

Amber is usually warm to the touch, floats in salt water, and holds a static charge when rubbed against wool or velvet, creating small sparks and attracting lint. An easy way to test your amber jewelry to see if the amber is real is to float it in salt water. Just dissolve three tablespoons of salt in an eight ounce cup of warm water and drop your amber in: if it sinks, we're sorry, but it's not real! Real amber will float to the top. This test only works on pure amber, though, so if your amber is set in sterling silver or some other heavy material, your results may not be accurate. You can also perform a taste and scent test to tell amber from a plastic replica. Gently clean the amber using warm water and a soft cloth and give it a quick taste and a sniff. Warm amber smells and tastes like woody pine, while plastic gives an unpleasant aroma of chemicals.

Caring for Your Amber

Because amber is brittle and soft, it is vulnerable to chipping and scratching. Avoid wearing your amber jewelry while performing heavy labor or tasks that could put your jewelry in danger of impact. Also avoid storing it with other metals and stones that could scratch it; keep each piece in its own cloth or plastic bag to prevent the amber from getting scratched and the silver from getting tarnished. Hairspray, perfume, and lotions can dull the amber over time, so apply beauty products before donning your jewelry. Amber can also be damaged by chlorine and cleaning products. Take care when polishing amber and silver jewelry not to harm the amber with the polish: consider using a silver polishing cloth instead or polish. Amber melts at high temperatures, so avoid extreme heat. Although it is natural for amber tends to darken over the years, it is important to care for your amber regularly by washing it with warm water – never with soap – and drying it immediately with a soft, lint-free cloth. Amber's luster can be renewed by using a drop of olive oil and buffing with a soft, lint-free cloth.

Turquoise Jewelry

Tidbits You Didn't Know About Turquoise:

1. Primarily found in Persia/Iran and the Southwest United States
2. Thought by many cultures to bring good fortune
3. Gets its color from mixtures of copper, iron, aluminum, and zinc
4. Used in Southwest jewelry since 200 BC and in Persia since 3000 BC
5. Great to wear with casual outfits or evening wear!
6. Traditionally given as a fifth wedding anniversary gift
7. Turquoise is a birthstone for December
8. Turquoise is a zodiac birthstone for Sagittarius
9. Turquoise came to Europe through Turkey
10. As early as 5,500 BC, the Egyptians were mining turquoise in the Sinai peninsula
11. Turquoise jewelry is believed to protect the wearer from injury by falling, especially from a horse
12. Is claimed by some to be the first gemstone
13. Although traditionally ranging from blue to blue-green, Turquoise can also be yellow, red, brown and white
14. Turquoise was prized by Aztec Kings
15. Turquoise was prized by Egyptian Pharaohs
16. Great for those in the military: the Apache believe it protects warriors and soldiers
17. Legend has it that turquoise improves eyesight and helps vision
18. Spiritualists believe turquoise has a calming affect, which helps anxiety and depression
19. The Pima Indians of the southwest believe it protects the wearer from illness and speeds recovery time
20. The Zuni believe the stone symbolizes the unity between man and woman
21. Ancient cultures believed turquoise improved friendship and bonds between two or more people
22. The Hopi Indians believe this stone protects against water-related tragedies
23. In India, and ancient Persia turquoise is believed to help one accumulate wealth
24. It brings money, success, and love. Its benefits include protection, healing, courage, friendship, and luck
25. Navajo Indians would cast a piece of turquoise into a river to bring forth the rain
26. Most cultures consider turquoise to be a unisex stone, perfect for both men and women
27. Tibetans believe turquoise will protect against the "evil-eye" and misfortune
28. Turquoise makes a perfect heirloom; many cultures believe it can pass memories from one person to another
29. In the 17th century, an English gentleman was considered under dressed unless he donned a piece of turquoise jewelry

Turquoise: The Beauty of the Sky

Turquoise has been valued by cultures all over the world for thousands of years due to its natural beauty and vivid color. From the pale winter sky blue to a bright robin's egg blue-green to a rare lime green, the natural veins and subtle luster of turquoise seem to suggest something strictly natural, while its vibrant color seems almost ethereal. Turquoise jewelry can be worn as a classic piece to wear with any evening ensemble, to add a colorful, unusual, or interesting twist to a formal outfit, or can be worn day-to-day to bring life and happiness to your daytime outfits. Turquoise is often paired with sterling silver for a Southwest Native American turquoise jewelry look. Turquoise jewelry has an natural earthy look that is perfect for dressing up or down, and ensures that each piece is absolutely one-of-a-kind. Natural looking turquoise jewelry is prized because of its unique and varied nature.

Why is my Turquoise Blue?

Turquoise gets its traditional blue color from the copper it contains. Different amounts of copper and the presence of other metals determine the color. A higher presence of iron enhances the green color. Some turquoise also may have a "matrix" of crystal veins running through it like a gossamer spiderweb, enhancing the color and beauty of the stone. Matrices do not decrease the value of the stone; in fact the matrices are often sought after by those who want their jewelry to reflect the unique natural beauty of the earth.

Turquoise 101: A History

The name "turquoise" may actually be a misnomer, having come from the French word "Turquie," indicating the stone's trade through the country Turkey, although the stone does not originate from there. In fact, turquoise gemstones come primarily from Iran, where the beautiful and highly valued Persian Turquoise comes from, and Southwest North America, where most turquoise in the United States comes from today. Blue Persian turquoise comes from Iran or the Sinai peninsula in Egypt, and is thought by many to be the finest turquoise. Persian turquoise sometimes refers to a blue stone without a matrix, although stones from Iran do have a variety of colors and matrices. Turquoise mines in India produce rare and unusual green turquoise. Mines in the Southwest also produce a variety of colors and matrices.

Uses for Turquoise

Turquoise is popular for gemstone therapy and gemstone healing. Turquoise has been widely regarded for millennia to bring the wearer happiness and good fortune. Turquoise has been worn by the living as a talisman or a symbol of status, or used to adorn the graves of dearly departed.

Turquoise is the traditional birthstone for December birthdays, and is the Zodiac birthstone for Sagittarius. Turquoise is traditionally given as a fifth wedding anniversary gift.

Three Types of Turquoise

There are three ways of treating turquoise to make it into jewelry. The highest quality turquoise is called natural gem quality turquoise. Gem quality turquoise means the stone has simply been cut and polished and set into jewelry. Two of the most sought after natural turquoise stones come from the United States. Sleeping Beauty turquoise comes from Globe, Arizona, and is of such a high quality that it does not typically need stabilization. The natural turquoise ranges from royal blue to a very light sky blue and features no matrix. Dry Creek Sacred Buffalo turquoise is a rare and unusual very pale turquoise mined in Battle Mountain, Nevada. Because of its unusual hardness, it too is natural turquoise that is not stabilized. The color, which ranges from light blue to light green, is so pale it resembles porcelain. Because this stone is so rare and so pale in color, the Shoshone Indians named it "Sacred Buffalo" turquoise after the legend of the white buffalo. Because turquoise is a soft, porous stone and susceptible to damage and fading, this type of turquoise jewelry must be treated with extra care. Non-treated turquoise jewelry may develop a lovely patina over time as the oils from human hands and exposure to light over time will cause the colors to change and fade. This turquoise also fetches a very high price. Natural turquoise is extremely rare, and has usually changed hands quite a few times. Turquoise has been such a popular stone that most of the world’s great quality turquoise has been mined and the best specimens are long gone.

Don’t fret, though! Today, you can buy nearly identical jewelry at a vastly cheaper cost. It’s called stabilized turquoise. The majority of the turquoise sold at Amber Laine is stabilized turquoise. It is created by soaking the turquoise with an epoxy resin. The resin penetrates the pores of the stone and leaves it hard enough to be cut, polished, and worn without fear of breaking. Most of the turquoise on the market is stabilized. Stabilized turquoise is in high demand, since the natural structure and beauty of the stone is preserved and protected by the process.

Then, in case you were interested, there is something called reconstructed turquoise, which is the lowest quality turquoise. Turquoise that is not suitable to be stabilized is instead ground up and mixed with an adhesive, sometimes with additives to enhance the color, then molded into the desired shape. Reconstructed turquoise does not display the matrix that is usually found in turquoise jewelry. Amber Laine does not sell reconstructed turquoise jewelry.

How to Care for Your Turquoise

Because turquoise is a soft stone, care must be taken to prevent damage from impact, scratches, chemicals, light, and heat. While natural turquoise is the most delicate of turquoise stones, stabilized turquoise must also be treated gently. Natural oils from your hands as well as household chemicals and cosmetics may cause the stone to lose color and luster. To clean the stone, immerse the stone in warm soapy water and brush gently with a soft bristled brush. Dry immediately with a soft, lint free cloth. Do not use commercial jewelry cleaners on turquoise. Store turquoise jewelry away from metals and harder gemstone pieces that may scratch the turquoise stone.

Trinket Boxes

Amber Laine is now carrying trinket boxes. These Swarovski crystal trinket boxes, also known as: jewelry (jewellery) boxes, enameled boxes, Faberge style boxes, and keepsake boxes, are hand molded and casted from pewter, brass, or other metal alloys into unique collectible shapes. The jeweled boxes have a strong magnetic closure which is easy to open, while closing firmly. The boxes come in a veritable rainbow of colors, and a huge array of shapes. From sea life, cats, dogs, birds, reptiles, turtles, frogs, butterflies, bugs, dragonflies, bumble bees, fashionable shoes, French antique telephones, flowers, sail boats and ... well you get the idea, these boxes come in a lot of shapes, so browse through our collection, and hopefully you'll find that perfect collectible!

These miniature Trinket Treasure Boxes can be used for secret messages, love notes, trinkets, jewelry, baby keepsakes, and other precious and valuable items. Heart warming and unforgettable gift for any occasion: Birthday, Engagement, Wedding, Child Birth, Anniversary, Christmas, Valentines Day ... any time you need a unique gift our bejeweled boxes should come to mind!

Did we mention they all come in a satin lined gift box? They're just a great gift for all occasions, what more can we say?

How our Trinket Boxes are Made

After first process of casting, each box-figurine is plated either with fine silver or 24K gold. Then the process is followed by detailing color painting: special thick liquid paints like enamels are used and the box needs to be kiln fired for 4 to 6 hours after each color has been applied. Boxes of inferior quality are often painted at once, and only heated in a kiln once. To assure quality, and make sure the colors do not run, or blend together, we hand inspect each of our boxes to make sure they're quality. To make the jeweled box even more stunning, they are lavishly inlaid with various colors and sizes of gleaming Swarovski Austrian crystals. The crystals are hand-placed by artisans. Since our boxes are of such a unique shape it takes hands a trained eye, and a skilled hand to apply all of these shimmering crystals.