Silver Scene's Amber Journey
Amber, the glowing ancient gemstone, is one of our original stones back from when we first started creating jewellery! It's a timeless classic that ranges from 30 to 50 million years old and can even contain prehistoric insects and inclusions, adding to its unique beauty and charm. The majority of this golden fossilized tree resin washes up on the Baltic coast and is collected by traders and gemstone enthusiasts - and this is where our Amber adventure begins!
Pictured: Fi standing at the entrance to the Amberif Expo in Gdansk, Poland.
For nearly 20 years, owner Trudi and original team member Fi, have been taking annual trips to hand pick and source the very best pieces of Amber for our Silver Scene shops. They travel just over 1000 miles to the Amberif Expo in Gdansk, Poland, one of the largest jewellery industry trade events in Europe. After so many years of curating and selling gemstone jewellery, Trudi and Fi have become specialists in the art of Amber selection. So much time, effort and attention to detail is put into their meticulous selecting, but of course, they have so much fun doing it!
Pictured: Trudi and Fi enjoying some sunshine before a full day of Amber sourcing.
Pictured: Fi sifting through a tray of Amber gemstones with the help of some local sweet treats.
We asked Fi, how they manage to choose the Amber that ends up on the shelves at your local Silver Scene shop, from the thousands of pieces on offer at the expo...
"We hand select everything ourselves from the trade show, and Free Form pieces are where we really look at every single piece individually. I like to choose stones that are aesthetically pleasing to me. I like to have a variety of shades because everyone likes different colours. Other things we look for include.. do we like the setting? Is the setting robust? Is the silver work design detailed and intricate? I look for interesting inclusions and captivating patterns within the stone. I tend to avoid reconstituted pieces. I really love Amber, it’s one of my absolute favourites, so it’s almost like I’m picking all of the pieces I would love to own!"
Pictured: Showcasing our Tosia Amber Pendant with its stunning inclusions.
Amber Facts and History
Amber is associated with the sun and therefore the horoscope stone for Leo.
Amber isn't actually a stone, it is formed from fossilized tree resin and can occasionally encase small insects and animals. Most amber originates from the Baltic region and often washes up on its shores. It is typically between 35 to 50 million years old. Used in jewellery and talismans as far back as the Stone Age, it was so highly valued by the Vikings, who called it Baltic gold, that they used it as a currency similar in value to actual gold.
Amber Beliefs and Properties
Amber is believed to be a natural purifier and healer, drawing out pain and negative energies from the body and transforming them into clear positive energy. It stimulates the body’s own mechanisms to heal itself and increases vitality and aids tissue regeneration. It is known to bring good luck and is a highly protective stone, especially for children.
As a love crystal, amber is believed to be a good-luck talisman for increasing natural radiance and attracting lasting love.
