Amber: A Gemstone’s Meaning and Origins

Amber is formed from the petrified sap of conifer trees (such as pine). Sometimes, we will find fossils of ancient life forms within it, such as insects, leaves and wood bits, or the bones of other small animals. Although amber is classified as a gemstone, it is not actually stone. Amber isn’t a mineral or stone. However, it is still considered a gem, and we can loosely call it a gemstone (even if it’s technically a gem resin). And anyway,  it does make fantastic gems for jewelry and crystal work.

Baltic amber is a very special type of this beautiful gem.  While virtually all other ambers of the world are just as beautiful and fascinating, the Baltic variety differs from the rest in its chemical composition; it has high levels of succinic acid, which has healing properties. In fact, another name for Baltic amber is succinite — so called due to the rich succinic acid contained within each piece.

Along the waters of the Baltic Sea were huge prehistoric subtropical forests. This wasn’t just an innocent group of conifer trees — they were super trees, growing to sizes that could only be possible with an unpopulated planet. Millions of years ago, these botanical giants fell and decomposed, trapping their precious, sweet-smelling honey resins in the newly formed ground where it remained, undisturbed for eons until the Baltic folk claimed the amber for their own. 

Legends within this region claim that amber is great for physical and emotional pain. It promotes comfort and healing, as well as a sense of peace and cleansing. Many churches in Eastern Europe came to incorporate the use of Baltic amber incense as an offering to God. 

The History of Amber: Its Meanings, Legends, and Science

Did you know that amber can be used for healing your soul and body? It’s true. Even cooler: it’s been scientifically proven to heal.

Wise women in villages along the ancient Baltic coastline  would recommend wearing a piece of amber jewelry against your skin near an aching part for relief. We can attribute the peace and comfort of amber to, perhaps, its cosmic mysteries. But there is also a science-based explanation for amber’s medicinal properties.

 As the resin makes contact with your skin, a chemical reaction occurs and released small amounts of succinic acid into the skin, which helps inflammation and pain. Even teething rings were — and are — made out of amber to soothe babies’ aching gums.

Spirit of amber is hailed as a miracle potion by gemstone shaman, enthusiast, and scientist alike. Studies have indicated that amber does, indeed, contain healthful elements — and best of all, these can be extracted for even more benefits to humankind.

Baltic amber is specifically used to create a potion called “spirit of amber,” used by the local Vedma of the Baltic region, as well as people all over the world! Ancient Baltic people prepared this distillation of succinic acid, found only in their version of this gem, as a pain reliever. Today, spirit of amber is also considered one of the most important biomass platform chemicals. Amber is considered an organic source for some of our most important medicine, tools, and even our food. Its derivatives serve as an ingredient in plastics, solvents, and antibiotics as well.