Amber is neither stone nor mineral but fossilized tree resin, most of which came from coniferous trees that lived during the Eocene period, 60 to 40 million years ago. Since this hardened sap comes from a number of different species of trees, there are different types of amber, each having its own distinct chemical composition. Amber can contain inclusions in the form of air bubbles or organic material—such a prehistoric dust, plants, or insects--trapped inside the resin. The world’s largest amber deposit is in Samland, Poland, but some of the world’s most highly prized amber comes from the Baltic Sea.
In ancient Greece, amber was known at Eleckron (the root of our word, electricity) because if rubbed with a cloth, it becomes electrically charged and can attract lightweight objects, like lint or feathers. It may also give off small sparks. Amber can be lit with a match, and unlike the plastic imitations, it will float in a strong brine solution.

Astrology: Leo and Aquarius
Chakra: 3rd (solar plexus) and cleans all chakras
Metaphysically, amber is a stone that both warms and enlivens. It’s considered beneficial for detoxifying the system and for calming nervous disorders. Amber is said to help the body heal itself by changing negative energy to positive. A piece of amber added to the soil of trees with medicinal sap—such as birch, maple, and pine—is considered a rich fertilizer.

Amber beads will compliment just about any stone, including amethyst, peridot, sugilite, turquoise, black onyx, and carnelian.

Color: Light yellow, red, brown, greenish to black
Chemical composition: Approx. C10H16O, mixture of various resins
Moh’s hardness: 2-2½
Transparency: Transparent to opaque
Luster: Resinous
Fracture: Conchoidal, brittle
Crystal system: Amorphous
Cleavage: None
Specific gravity: Usually 1.05-1.09, maximum 130
Refractive index: 1.54
Dispersion: None
Pleochroism: None
Fluorescence: Bluish-white to yellow-green
Occurrence: the Baltic, Britain, Burma, Canada, Domincan Republic, Poland, Rumania, United States (some Atlantic states)