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Where Are Natural Amber Gemstones Found?

By Mithun Rao

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Published: 13Oct2008
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Amber is not a mineral but time-hardened fossilized resin of the species of pine called 'Pinus Succinisera'. These trees grew around 45 million years ago, in forests located in the European mainland, which is known to us today as the Baltic region. The other regions where amber is found include Myanmar (Burma), Dominican Republic, Germany, Rumania, Sicily, England, North America, Russia and Malaysia.

The Germans called amber by the name of 'Bernstein', due to the sweet smell it emitted when burnt. The Greeks called it 'Elektron' due to its properties of developing static electricity when rubbed. Amber is known as 'Kerba' in the local markets in India.

In the Western Hemisphere, there are rich deposits of amber found in the Dominican Republic, Mexico, and the state of New Jersey. An especially rich bed of amber in New Jersey has yielded over 100 previously unknown extinct Cretaceous species dating back as much as 94 million years.

However, the most important source of Amber still remains the Baltic area. Rich deposits of amber are found particularly in Königsberg, which was previously in East Prussia, and now is known as Kaliningrad (which, until recently was a part of USSR).

The variety of amber originating from this area is known as 'Succinite'. It is found here at two sources: from the sea and by mining. The sea amber from this area is easily carried by the sea, and can also be found in all parts of the Baltic coast, even as far away as Norway, Denmark and the east coast of Britain.

Amber found in Sicily, along the Simeto River near Catania is reddish brown, fluorescent, and is known as 'Simetite'. Amber found in many parts of Romania, is known as 'Roumanite', and can be quite variable in color. Amber found at Gdansk or Danzig is known as 'Gedanite'. This is softer and lighter than most other amber stones. There are numerous small deposits of amber found in the USA.

The largest mine in the Baltic region is in Russia, west of Kaliningrad. Baltic amber is found in Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Poland, Russia, and occasionally washed up on the shores of the Baltic Sea as far away as Denmark, Norway, and England. Other amber sources include Myanmar (formerly Burma), Lebanon, Sicily, Mexico, Romania, Germany, and Canada.

The amber was mined in the mountains of Lebanon by Aftim Acra, who has a collection of amber pieces containing 700 insects, including termites, moths, caterpillars, spiders, pseudo-scorpions, and midges. More than 1,000 extinct species of insects have been identified in amber.

Mithun Rao, a gemologist has an obsession for gems and precious stones since more than 10 years. He also shares a passion for music, painting and meditation. Apart from running his own jewelry store he owns and manages the site on natural gemstones, diamonds and jewelry industry. Click here to know more about amber gemstones.

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