Baltic Amber

[Treffie]

Amber is fossilized tree resin (not sap), which has been appreciated for its color and natural beauty since Neolithic times. Amber is used as an ingredient in perfumes, as a healing agent in folk medicine, and as jewelry. There are five classes of amber, defined on the basis of their chemical constituents. Because it originates as a soft, sticky tree resin, amber sometimes contains animal and plant material as inclusions.

The Baltic region is home to the largest known deposit of amber, called Baltic amber or succinite, with about 80% of the world's known amber found there. It dates from 44 million years ago (Eocene). It has been estimated that these forests created over 105 tons of amber.

The richest and largest amber deposits are found in the Baltic Sea region. The level of succinic acid contained in the amber is what determines its quality. Amber from the Baltic Sea region contains the highest level of succinic acid, and therefore is considered to be the highest quality amber you can find.

http://signature-gems.com/Amber/Baltic_Amber_Map.jpg

http://www.balticuk.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/Spider_in_amber_1.jpg

http://www.iddfossils.co.uk/WebRoot/BT/Shops/BT3078/MediaGallery/gnatbt2.jpg

[The Ripper]

THE BALTS AND THE AMBER

Eugenijus Jovaisa

Amber has always been attractive to craftsmen and traders. It must have been the early Neolithic period when Lithuanian inhabitants began to produce amberware and ornaments which they traded with their immediate northern and southern neighbours. Amber objects from the Neolithic Age are found in Estonia, the districts of Novgorod and Tver, Finland and Sweden. In the southern neighbourhoods raw amber and amber goods are especially abundant in the burial grounds of the Zlota culture in Poland.

http://www.pgm.lt/gintaras/jovaisa.en.htm

A pretty brief overview of the historical relationship Balts have with amber. :)