All About Baltic Amber: Benefits and Styling Tips
While there will always be a time and place for wearing dazzling diamonds or shark tooth pendants, there’s something completely unique about Baltic amber. Whether you’re looking for a stylish new necklace to add to your jewelry box or a thoughtful present for a loved one going through a hard time, there are countless reasons people around the globe adore Baltic amber.
What is Baltic Amber?
While amber is still categorized as an organic gem, it’s not a precious stone like the others. Baltic amber is actually pine tree resin that hardened and fossilized millions of years ago. Think of amber as a prehistoric time capsule containing organic forms, oils, and succinic acid from the period.
Where is Baltic Amber Found?
Good news—you could find various forms of amber in your very own backyard! The majority of authentic Baltic amber is found in Northern Europe around the Baltic Sea. These precious gems also wash up ashore in surrounding countries, such as Poland, Latvia, and Russia.
How Does Baltic Amber Get its Color?
Baltic amber’s coloring is determined from the original pine tree sap color, as well as the aging process. Most people picture amber as a true, glowing orange, but in reality, there’s a wide range of colors to be found, from clear to deep red. Though the sap is responsible for the initial hue, during Baltic amber formation, the level of oxygen exposure affects the shade.
Popular Colors of Baltic Amber:
- Cognac orange
- Milky white
- Butterscotch yellow
- Honey golden
- Deep green
- Cherry red
- Blue (extremely rare!)
What Determines the Value of Baltic Amber?
The value of amber is mainly determined by its clarity. Transparent pieces are worth more than cloudy pebbles—but most have different forms of inclusions. However, if there are any plant, bug, or animal pieces trapped in the orange gem, they can be a highly valuable collector’s item, as they connect the owner to the past specimens.
5 Wonderful Benefits of Baltic Amber
Baltic amber has been praised for much more than its unbeatable beauty—it’s actually believed to have quite a few spiritual healing benefits:
- Inflammation reduction: many people swear that succinic acid is naturally released when it’s warmed by the skin—whether you hold a piece or wear it in jewelry form, succinic acid is meant to absorb into the body to reduce inflammation and pain.
- Immune system support: in certain holistic practices, wearing amber can help strengthen your immune system and protect you from colds, fevers, and flu.
- Anxiety aid: Similar to other healing crystals, including amber in your self-care routines is thought to calm down the body and mind, helping the wearer through any anxious thoughts.
- Tooth pain relief: many prefer using this homeopathic teething necklace option to soothe the swollen gums, chewing, and cranky phase of toddlers welcoming their first teeth.
- Cleanses energy: incorporating amber into meditation or intention practices is thought to transform negative energies and clear the sacral chakra.
How to Tell if Baltic Amber is Real
Only genuine Baltic amber has the potential for healing properties, so it’s important to be able to spot a fake. If you come across a piece of amber, give it a quick visual evaluation. No two amber gems are ever alike, and most have natural imperfections like cracks or bubbles—if a piece looks too perfect, you should be suspicious.
If you do come across this conundrum, there are a few ways you can test further. First, notice if the gem is warm to the touch or smells of pine trees—if it’s cold or smells like artificial plastic, it’s a red flag. You could also drop it in a cup of salt water, as authentic amber always floats to the top.
5 Ways to Style Baltic Amber Jewelry
Pretty, prehistoric, and ever-so-stylish, Baltic amber is the perfect embellishment for timeless jewelry. Use our five favorite ways as inspiration as you don your own pieces:
1. Wear a Statement Amber Ring
A gorgeous orange-red Baltic amber ring on your hand gives an eye-catching flash of color. Wear one on its own to give it its time in the spotlight, or pair it with more subdued pieces made in the same metal settings. With gorgeous inclusions and one-of-a-kind style, your unique amber ring will be the star of the show.
2. Show off an Amber Necklace
Necklaces are the type of jewelry that immediately draws attention—so you might as well wear one that catches the light in every room! Chunky Baltic amber necklaces string multiple pieces of the stunning gem on one strand, combining various unique colors in one look. Wear it on its own as a statement piece and enjoy the naturally formed beauty of each amber bead.
3. Make a Unique Layer with an Amber Pendant
Our amber pendants can slide on and off any of your favorite chains for a one-of-a-kind customizable look. From larger multi-stone larimar and amber pendants and small amber pendants, there’s one for everyone. With pendants of all shapes, colors, and sizes to choose from, you can select one that matches the rest of your necklace collection and layer them together for a beautiful style.
4. Style an Amber Bracelet
A simple, colorful amber bracelet can be the missing accessory to your outfit! Tie your whole look together with a chic, vibrant bracelet. Pair it with other amber jewelry for a complete set, or wear it on its own—the style choices are endless.
5. Show Off Statement Amber Earrings
Every time you shake your head, your amber drop earrings will catch a glimmer of light, drawing all eyes to you. Subtle enough to work as an everyday accessory yet vibrant enough to be noticeable, this type of earring never fails. Show off with a dreamy pair of Baltic amber earrings to feel and look like your best self!
With countless spiritual healing benefits and endless designs to choose from, what’s not to love about Baltic amber jewelry? Discover how this miraculous gem fits into your life and jewelry box, and shop for this colorful accessory today!