Amber is a honey-hued stone and crystalized iconoclast known for its’ gorgeous jewelry and preservation properties. Unlike most gemstones, which are formed deep within the Earth, Amber is ancient fossilized pine tree resin. This unique stone is known for its energizing qualities and gorgeous golden coloring.

Keep reading to find out more about the scientific and spiritual properties of amber, as well as how museums use amber to peek into the past.

Amber is most often a golden or orange stone, though it can also have hints of red or green. Amber is a soft stone with a hardness of two to three on the MOHS hardness scale. The MOHS hardness scale ranges from one to ten, with one being the softest (talc) and ten being the hardest (diamonds).

Amber belongs to the genus Hymenea. Amber differs from most stones because it is composed of resin. Think of resin as a bandaid for trees. The resin helps seal any gaps in tree bark, just like a bandaid would cover an injury. This helps ensure that the trees will live a long and robust life. It’s not uncommon for amber to smell like pine. The resin that forms amber occurs when liquid evaporates, forming polymers.

While amber is technically fossilized pine tree resin, it is not produced by what we would consider a modern pine tree. According to the Getty Museum, “ It is generally accepted that amber is derived from resin-bearing trees that once clustered in dense, now extinct forests.22 Despite decades of study, there is no definite conclusion about the botanical source of the vast deposits of Baltic amber.”

The name amber is derived from the Arabic word anabar. It is known by several names, including Baltic Amber and fossil resin.

According to National Geographic, the oldest piece of amber was found in Illinois. It’s 320 million years old. Amber is found worldwide. Burmese amber is found in mines in Northern Myanmar. And Dominican amber is found in the Dominican Republic. There are also amber deposits in Canada along Alberta. A wide swathe of amber deposits exists along the coast of the Baltic Sea, encompassing Lithuania, Russia, and Southern Sweden. Deposits of amber have also been identified along the Mediterranean Sea in Siciliy, Lebanon, and Jordan.

One of the most remarkable qualities of amber is its ability to preserve other life forms, such as insects and flowers, almost perfectly. The largest known floral preserved specimen in amber is 28 mm across.

When a plant or an animal is encased in amber, amber acts as a natural embalming material in addition to dehydrating the organism within the resin itself, thus, Amber acts as nature’s taxidermy.

In 1716, Russian Monarch Peter the Great was gifted an entire room made of amber. Known colloquially as “the amber room,” German sculptor Andreas Schultor designed it, while noted amber craftsman Gottfried Wolfram constructed it. It became known internationally as a symbol of the newfound peace between Prussia and Russia. According to the Smithsonian Museum, the room was valued at $142 million dollars.

The amber room was eventually looted and ransacked by the Nazis during World War II. Historians believe that the majority of the amber room was destroyed in bombings in 1944. Reconstruction of the amber room began in 1979. The amber room remains on display to the public to this day at the Tsarskoye Selo State Museum Reserve, located outside of St. Petersburg.

Amber’s medicinal qualities possess a rich history dating back to ancient times. In the days of early medicine, physicians prescribed amber for a variety of common ailments. Throughout the Middle Ages, physicians prescribed amber beads to treat jaundice. Writer Marie Clarke explains, “It was believed that the magic force of this yellow stone could absorb unhealthy yellowness of the skin and the weakness of the organism. Terms Oleum succini (amber oil), Balsamum succini (amber balsam), and Extractum succini (amber extract) were often used in the recipes and records of the alchemists of those times.” Early physicians also utilized amber to treat headaches and arthritis. It was believed that amber had the ability to draw out disease from the body, not unlike a magnet.

Some parents have given amber teething necklaces to their babies, citing the theory that when a baby holds a teething necklace, their body heat reacts with the amber, releasing a healing oil that is said to soothe sore gums. However, doctors do not recommend that babies wear jewelry. While an amber necklace may seem like a natural solution to a baby’s discomfort, the small amber beads act as a choking risk, even if the infant is being watched. According to Heidi Murkhoff, author of What to Expect When You’re Expecting, “in December 2018, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warned parents to avoid giving any teething necklaces or bracelets to babies to chew on because they're a strangulation and choking hazard.” Doctor-approved remedies for teething include chilled pacifiers or soaking a washcloth in chamomile tea and freezing it.

In crystal form, amber is said to be able to draw negative energy from the body. Amber is a cleansing stone with cleansing qualities similar to clear quartz. Travelers have carried amber as a protective talisman for centuries. Carrying amber can also help alleviate stress, boost immunity, and energize carriers.

It’s said that amber can help heal the nervous system by balancing the left and right parts of the brain. Amber can also help energize the metabolism. Meanwhile, ancient Romans believed that carrying amber increased one’s virility and sexual prowess. Supposedly, Martin Luther King carried a piece of amber in his pocket for protection against kidney stones.

Writer Brett Larkin of Tiny Rituals suggests wearing amber, stating, “Wearing amber close to the skin as jewelry is the best way to utilize its healing properties, keeping one's aura protected and chakras balanced.”

Many crystal aficionados believe in amber’s ability to absorb negative energy. Healers have often advised patients to carry amber to encourage balanced decisions and mental clarity. Amber can also provide a much-needed energy boost. If you’re feeling drained or winter’s gotten the best of you, try carrying a piece of amber to boost your energy naturally.

Amber is also known for its protective qualities. The stone can be used to cleanse physical spaces and auras alike, making way for feelings of empowerment and safety.

The cleansing qualities of amber can also increase one’s creativity and drive. Think of amber as a go-to stone for clearing psychic cobwebs and making way for new and powerful endeavors. Amber’s energizing properties also stimulate creativity and ambition.

Ancient Greeks believed amber to be synonymous with the sun and even representative of the tears of Apollo’s daughters. Brett Larkin writes, “In ancient Greek, the classical name for amber meant sun - in homage to the amber light that pours down from the sky.”

As time goes on, amber has become a symbolic representation of the sun’s power, embodying warmth and energy. The stone itself is often warm to the touch. Amber is associated with the element of fire. In numerology, amber is associated with the number three, which represents communication. The number three also represents dreams and ideas.

Amber also represents strength and renewal, similar to how a walk on a sunny day can imbue you with the strength to carry on. Amber’s sunshine-personified effect is known to revitalize spirits.

Vikings believed that amber deposits were tears of the goddess Freyja, who represented love and beauty.

The chakras are unique energy centers located along the human body. Seven main chakras are stacked along the spine.

Amber is a powerful cleansing tool for anyone experiencing a blocked sacral chakra. The sacral chakra is the second chakra. It is located below the navel. In illustrations, the sacral chakra is represented by the color orange. Traits associated with the sacral chakra include creativity and sensuality; it’s sometimes known colloquially as “the sex chakra.” The sacral chakra is the locus of sensuality, pleasure, and joy.

Symptoms of a blocked sacral chakra include feelings of detachment, anxiety, and loneliness. Physical symptoms of a blocked sacral chakra include feeling tired or sluggish and experiencing a dip in libido or sex drive. Chronic fatigue or excessive colds can be another symptom of a blocked sacral chakra.

In order to cleanse the sacral chakra, try placing a piece of amber below your bellybutton to absorb the negative energy. As discussed in this article, amber is a great stone for neutralizing negative energies and emotions. It’s also a stone that seeks to align and restore the practitioner.

While amber is not considered a traditional birthstone, it is often associated with the zodiac sign of Leo (July 23-August 22) as well as Leo’s sister sign, Aquarius (January 20-February 18). Leo’s are the showstoppers of the Zodiac. Symbolized by the golden brute strength of the lion, Leo’s are a fire sign with a penchant for all things glamorous. Leo’s fiery personality produces a similar spark when working with amber, a natural conductor of electricity. Leo’s are extremely energetic. They feel comfortable in front of crowds. Several musicians and celebrities are Leo’s, including Madonna, Demi Lovato, and Jennifer Lopez. They are a natural, energetic match for the mood-enhancing qualities of amber.

Leos are kind and caring. Much like a lion with their pride, Leos are fierce friends. They are always willing to go to battle for the people they love. They are sometimes known for lavishing their friends with praise and gifts.

Leo’s have a soft spot for luxurious aesthetics, so the glamorous quality of amber will be sure to enchant them. Leos are style mavens of the zodiac. If you’re looking for a birthday gift for a Leo in your life, consider amber jewelry.

At times, Leo’s can become arrogant. They know they’re one-of-a-kind, and they are! But the grounding qualities of amber can help bring them back down to earth. To be a Leo is to relish and bask in the glow of public adoration, but as anyone in the public eye will tell you, with notoriety come naysayers. Leos cans can benefit from the protective qualities of amber.

Like their sister sign, Aquarius, Leos are also invested in charitable causes, aligning with the giving nature of amber.

Now, Aquarius is the sister sign to Leo, meaning they occur exactly six months after Leo. Aquarians are the revolutionaries of the zodiac. Famous Aquariuses include William Burroughs, Dr. Seuss, and Paris Hilton. They are fiercely independent and adventurous, meaning they would benefit from the protective qualities of amber. Aquarians also have a tendency to disconnect emotionally or intellectualize their feelings in order to avoid feeling them. Aquariuses could benefit from the grounding qualities of amber, as well as amber’s tendency to provide mental clarity.

Aquariuses are often characterized as cold or detached. The truth is that Aquariuses thrive in the life of the mind. They’re geniuses, but sometimes, Aquariuses spend so much time in their head that it’s difficult for them to feel grounded in their bodies. Thus, Aquariuses would benefit from the physically healing aspects of amber, like its ability to regulate the nervous system. They would also appreciate the intellectually stimulating properties of amber.

Amber is a remarkable stone that allows us to hold the possibility of the sun in our hands. Amber has long fascinated humankind, producing a robust mythology from what is scientifically known as fossilized tree resin. But the mystical qualities of amber continue to light the way and fascinate humankind.

It’s important to note that when caring for amber, the stone should not be left out in the sun, or it will become brittle. Amber can also be easily scratched due to its relative softness, so be careful with any jewelry containing amber.

If you are feeling low or creatively drained, consider investing in a piece of amber for your home. Feel the heat of the stone in your palm. Allow yourself to feel close to the sun, but unlike Icarus, the restorative qualities of amber will prevent you from burning out.