WILLS Gemstone Knowledge ~ Beautiful Baltic Amber

Amber is one of the three major organic gemstones along with pearls and coral, but its output is becoming increasingly rare. Baltic Amber produced in Poland is regarded as the top grade of amber. This time, " Kocham Polske HK " will help fans understand the value of amber and appreciate the beautiful amber art masterpieces from Poland.

Amber is a fossil of the grease exuded by ancient pine trees thousands of years ago to protect damaged or broken branches. It is a fossil produced after experiencing high pressure and heat in the earth's rock formations. It is a non-crystalline precious organic gemstone with a hardness of only Above the fingernail it will float in salt water. Produced from the Baltic Sea coast of Europe, the texture is smooth and delicate, ranging from transparent, translucent or opaque commonly known as beeswax. The color is mainly brown-yellow in different shades, and also white and mixed colors with blue and green.

Photo of pine tree

Map of the Baltic Sea

Some amber has insects or plants inside: when the resin flows out, the fragrance will attract insects. Because the resin is sticky, the insects are stuck and have difficulty escaping. Then the resin continues to flow out, wrapping the insects or leaves and seeds. Thousands of years later, these ambers containing unique insects or plants have become research objects for scientists, exhibits in museums, or treasures for amber collectors.

Photo of amber with Leaf

Photo of amber with Millipede

Poland is the main exporter of amber jewelry in the Baltic Sea. The northern city of Gdańsk is known as the "Amber Capital of the World" due to its historical connection with the ancient Amber Road and its leadership in designing amber jewelry. It holds the Amber Exhibition every year. The international trade show Amberif , and the " International Amber Association" (International Amber Association) established in 1996 , are also headquartered in Gdansk.

Photo of Gdansk

Baltic amber is exquisite, light and colorful, bringing constant creative inspiration to artists and designers: Polish national treasure artist Lucjan Myrta has thousands of amber artworks; the famous Polish amber manufacturer S&A Jewelery Design was awarded Miss in 2016 Miss Polonia designed a beautiful amber tiara; and the avant-garde works of Polish jewelry designers have also been reported by Hong Kong jewelry and cultural magazines.

Amber abstract art by Lucjan Myrta

Amber flask (Love from Poland Collection) by Lucjan Myrta

Amber vase by Lucjan Myrta

Amber Crown by S&A Jewelery Design

Photo of Izabella Krzan, Miss Polonia 2016

HK Jewelery Magazine

Culture Magazine

The raw amber stones themselves are already natural works of art. Each one is unique, and then they are transformed into beautiful jewelry by designers and craftsmen. There are two types of amber jewelry on the market that meet the quality requirements of the "International Amber Association": " natural amber " or " optimized amber " that has been heated and pressure-treated. Beware of inferior products synthesized from amber powder or even fake products passed off as plastic!