ALL ABOUT AMBER

B A L T I C A M B E R D E S I G N

Here we are, trapped in the amber of the moment.

There is no why.

Kurt Voonegut – American writer

INTRODUCTION

Amber is fossilized tree resin which has been appreciated for its natural beauty since Neolithic times. It has been used as a healing agent in folk medicine, as an ingredient in perfumes, and also in jewelry art and craft.

Formed through the process of natural polymerization, Baltic Amber contains numerous extinct insect and fauna, many of which have been scientifically described inclusions fossilized over millions of years.

The richest and largest amber deposits are found in the Baltic Sea region. The level of succinic acid contained in the amber is what determines its quality. Amber from the Baltic Sea region contains the highest level of succinic acid, and therefore is considered to be the highest quality amber found on the Earth.

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In Europe, amber, a natural analgesic, is commonly worn by babies and young children to help with teething difficulties.

Wearing Baltic Amber close to the skin can help calm a baby without resorting to pharmaceutical products.

Baltic Region

By having a baby wear the necklace everyday it helps reduce the common symptoms related to teething such as; redness in the cheeks, swollen gums, diaper rashes and fevers. The string is individually knotted between each bead so should the necklace break they do not scatter. Use of any necklace, particularly in infancy should always be carried out under supervision.

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Amber also aids the throat, abdomen, stomach, spleen, kidneys, bladder, liver, and gallbladder and can help alleviate joint problems. As an elixir and for wound healing, it is an excellent natural antibiotic.

Clinical trials are also currently taking place to test the effect of Amber in a number of areas including respiratory and inflammatory occurrences, as well as a treatment for pneumonia in newborns. Clinical trials are continuing at The Institute of Theoretic and Experimental

Biophysics and also at The Kazakhstan Scientific Research Pediatric Institute.

There are many types and classes of Amber in the marketplace. Ambroid is a product made from small pieces of amber embedded in plastic. Often coloured to look like amber, it is chiefly used in the manufacture of low-cost jewellery and contains little of no secondary benefits to the consumer. Baltic Amber Design handpicks all the amber stones used in their range and can guarantee their quality.

Oh, did we mention Amber was also an aphrodisiac...

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BALTIC AMBER & YOUR HEALTH

Baltic Amber is a naturally occurring tree resin that hardens over millions of years often tombing fauna and insects, many of which have since become extinct. In the last decade Baltic Amber has been the subject of serious research at the Institute of Theoretical and Experimental Biophysics, which is part of the Russian Academy of Sciences.

Baltic amber contains 3-8% of succinic acid, a scientifically examined medical substance used in contemporary medicine. The highest content of the acid is found in the amber cortex - the external layer of the stone. There is much documentation available regarding the power of succinic acid.

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Succinic acid from Baltic amber was analyzed by Robert Koch, the pioneer of modern bacteriology who was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1905. Koch confirmed the positive health influences of this substance and discovered that there is no risk of the accumulation of surplus amounts of succinic acid in the human organism.

Robert Koch

Thirty years ago, Prof. Kondrashova of the Institute of Theoretical and Experimental Biophysics discovered that succinic acid, has hormone-like effects and the Institute are currently developing platforms that can be used to create a wide rage of therapeutic treatments for the next generation that can prevent and treat many age-related diseases.There have been many theories offered with regard to the use of Baltic Amber. When Amber comes in contact with the skin, the heat generated from our own bodies release microscopic amounts of healing oils which are then absorbed into the bloodstream.

Electromagnetic Charge

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Baltic amber is considered the most therapeutic amber in the world. Doctors and pharmacists have long been familiar with Amber and its use as a calmative, in pain-relief, as an antispasmodic and as a fever relief function. It is renowned for its its ability to help protect against illness. It is an exceedingly well researched adaptogen, most notably among Russian, Polish and German scientists, and has long been referred to as an Elixir of Youth.

Baltic amber is a natural analgesic agent and possesses anti-inflammatory properties, so is often used to ease joint pain. Science has proved that Amber is electromagnetically alive and carries a charge of organic energy.

Amber - A natural analgesic agent

Wearing Amber thus has a positive affect on the human body, promoting health equally among, babies, children and adults.

Microscopic Amber Variants

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AMBER - A NATURAL APPROACH

It can be a distressing time for baby and parent alike when a child begins the process of teething with the emergence of their infant first teeth. Typically, a child's first teeth begin to appear anytime between the sixth months and ninth month. As a baby's teeth emerge and cut through the gum, special chemicals are released in the body to aid the degeneration of cells which aid the teeth coming through.

‘Cutting’ teeth

As little as 170 years ago, Teething was wrongly considered as a cause in infantile death with a record in the Registrar General's Report stating it as the cause of death in 4-8% of cases in children under the age of one and 7-3% of deaths in children from ages one to three. Common treatments at the time included the use of leeches on the gums. Thankfully, times have moved forward.

The level of teething discomfort any child can take varies with each child. Symptoms usually appear in the week preceding the tooth appearing. They include dribbling, mood changes and swollen gums amongst others. For parent and baby alike this can often mean broken sleep. For the child it may also mean mild fever, rash and pain - particularly with larger molars as they cannot penetrate the gums as easily as other tooth types.

Many babies begin to chew fingers to relieve pressure on their gums while others may refuse to eat. Symptoms tend to disappear on their own, particularly after the tooth appears, but this respite is brief in a process that can last up until their fifth year.

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Recent times have seen an acceleration in pharmaceutical treatments. Various uses of NSAID's (non-steroidal anti-inflammatories) and numerous gels are now employed to treat teething difficulties. However, as is often the case, the risks and adverse effects from inappropriate or prolonged use of pharmacological agents in many cases outweigh any short term potential benefit to the user.

Baby teething rash

Many parents not comfortable with using medications due to the U.S FDA's advice on the risk of methemoglobinemia often consider natural approaches. The advent of treatments such as teething rings allow the child to chew on something cold to aid pain-relief. Diet has also been suggested with chilled foods such as yogurt and pureed fruits known to relief symptoms.

Wearing Baltic amber close to the skin is a traditional remedy for baby teething. Worn around the neck, wrist or ankle Amber baby chains are a natural analgesic and can help calm a baby. Used for centuries in Europe, amber is a natural anti-inflammatory ideal for naturally treating swollen gums. Heat naturally generated through the babies body release microscopic amounts of healing oils which are then absorbed into the bloodstream aiding both pain-relief and healing.

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It is extremely important to note that babies become increasingly more inquisitive as they become more self-aware, so parental supervision is strongly urged if Amber teething necklaces are in use.

Baltic Amber Design uses necklaces, bracelets and anklets that are individually beaded, so should it break the beads will not scatter.

Beaded individually for safety

Amber necklaces are made for wearing and not for chewing, but in conjunction with other natural approaches parents now have an alternative solution to medications without the worry of possible side effects.

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AMBER IN MYTHOLOGY

There are many myths surrounding the origin of amber. Ovid wrote that when Phaethon, a son of Helios, the sun, convinced his father to allow him to drive the chariot of the sun through the heavens for a day, he erred too close to the earth, scorching it. To save the earth, Zeus struck

Phaethon with a thunderbolt and he died, plunging out of the sky. His mother and sister turned into trees in their grief but still mourned him. Their tears, dried by the sun, are amber.

Phaethon

The Greeks called amber 'elektron', sun-made, perhaps because of this story, or perhaps because it becomes electrically charged when rubbed with a cloth and can attract small particles. Homer mentions amber jewelery - earrings and a necklace of amber beads - as a princely gift in the Odyssey.

Homer

Another ancient writer, Nicias, said that amber was the juice or essence of the setting sun congealed in the sea and cast up on the shore.

Nicias

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• CHAPTER 5 •

THE AMBER ROOM

The Amber Room was a gift given to Czar Peter the Great of Russia in 1716 by Frederick Wilhelm I, King of Prussia. The Czar was taken with its lavish beauty and forged friendly relationships between Russia and Germany until the Nazi invasion of Russia during the second World War.

The room is made entirely from Amber and considered a masterpiece of Baroque art. In 1941 the Amber Room mysteriously disappeared. The amber panels were removed from the room and placed in storage. Later, the room was sent to Kaliningrad. The amber panels moved again in 1945 and the room's trail was lost.

Since then the panels have been restored. In the Catherine Palace at Tsarskoe Selo, the intricately decorated Amber Room will re-open, following a restoration that has lasted decades. It is decorated with various pieces of Amber. It opened in time for celebrations to mark the 300th anniversary of St Petersburg.

In Berlin there is a miniature Amber Room. The Berlin miniature collector Ulla Klingbeil had this copy made of original East Prussian amber.

Images - Wikipedia

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FACTS ABOUT AMBER

* Amber comes in many shades and colors, although the most common are cognac, honey, green,lemon yellow, ivory and cream/yellow.

* Amber is lightweight and because it is an organic substance, each piece is unique.

* Occasionally, amber will contain remnants of plant matter or insects that were first trapped and preserved millions of years ago These are called inclusions.

* Amber was an important commodity for ancient cultures, a substance they valued greatly.It was traded around the globe as far back as almost 10,000 years ago.

Did you know?

The oldest and easiest way to obtain Amber is by collecting it on the beach. Huge deposits lie below the bottom of the Baltic Sea and amber stones are thrownout by waves during storms.

Amber has been found in Mycenaean tombs and in Neolithic remains. In England, artifacts from the Bronze Age have been discovered with amber inclusions. A Bronze Age cup made entirely of amber was found in Hove, a town on the south coast of England.

Amber was an important commodity for ancient cultures, a substance they valued greatly. It was traded around the globe as far back as almost 10,000 years ago.

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Altogether, about 1000 species of animals have been found in amber. Amber inclusions are somewhat rare. In Baltic amber, inclusions are found in every 1000 or so pieces.

Stones like jade, lapis and turquoise feel cool or even cold to the touch, but amber feels warm.

Inclusions

This, along with its obvious sunny color, is why it is known as “sunshine” to Lithuanians.

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AMBER - PETS

Amber lace is a 100% natural, long lasting solution to the problem that is completely safe for use in the home environment and it has a dual action in treating ticks and fleas. Extremely popular in Europe, this sturdy, 100% authentic Baltic amber necklace can be safely worn by dogs and cats of all shapes and sizes.

With the warmer months now here, pet owners will be dreading the onslaught of ticks and fleas that flourish in dry weather. As well as the discomfort for our four legged friends, the ticks can poison, risking paralysis and in some cases sudden death to pets. Amber experts and scientists have determined that raw Baltic amber is best to use for animal necklaces in order for them to be the most effective.

Amber stone contains natural essential oils. The resinous smell of the amber, which derives from the friction of the amber with the pets fur, which ticks do not like, are responsible for the tick feeling uncomfortable. It is important that you always use an amber necklace/tick protection collar that is neither sanded nor polished because such treatment leads to the rather rough and permeable surface of the amber stone closing up and thus no smells are released onto the fur.

As amber rubs against the animal’s fur, a mild static electrical charge is generated. This has been found to act as a flea and tick deterrent in dogs and cats. You’re pet feels nothing but the tick gets a mild shock. Amber’s electrical properties were documented by the Ancient Greeks who called it, Electron.

The longer your dog wears the amber stone, the better the smell can distribute in its fur and the better the tick bite prevention. Why not give this a go if you are not a fan of chemical treatments for pets. As well as preventing ticks and fleas, the “Amberlace” is comfortable to wear and also looks very attractive!

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From our own point of view there is no tick protection; chemical or natural, that works 100%. This to is true about our own amber necklaces. 95% of our customers are very satisfied - but we would like to be fair and be honest with our valued customers.We think it is definitely worth a try!

The Amber lace is available in three designs. Small, medium and large.

Lion - raw amber in mixed colours; weight 25g; length 40-45cm; knotted ; resizable.

Lynx - raw amber in mixed colours; weight 12g; length 25-30cm; knotted; resizable.

Sweetie - raw amber in mixed colours; weight 8g; length 25cm, knotted, screw type clasp.

Sweetie is most suitable for cats and small dogs.

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Notes for pet owners.

The necklace should be worn 24 hrs a day when possible. For cats, we suggest a familiarization time of one week.

For maximum effect, you should only remove the necklace for a short time. Like when your pet is playing.

For best effect put the Amber Lace on the window sill for approximately 10 minutes. The necklace will recharge with sunlight.

Our necklaces are absolutely chemical free and therefore cannot cause any allergies.

You can easily rinse the necklace under lukewarm running water.

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Please note the following safety instructions

The necklace should be removed for a short moment when:

Your dog is playing with other dogs. The necklace could be damaged easily.

When pet is walking through bushes or low branches in the woods. The necklace can easily be torn off.

The effect against ticks is not lost by taking off the necklace for a short moment.

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Our necklaces are made in a manner that your dog or your cat cannot damage or strangle itself with it. If your dog or cat gets caught somewhere with the chain it will usually break open. However, we suggest taking off the necklace during these times.

Please do not use our necklaces as a usual collar. They do not have the same quality concerning tear strength.

The Amber Laces is a natural product that may tear if the steps suggested above are not adhered to. Unfortunately, we cannot be responsible for this.

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CARING FOR AMBER JEWELRY

To enjoy your amber jewelry over a long period of time, some simple precautions should be observed. Amber is a soft gemstone and may be susceptible to attack by chemicals and oxidation. So, amber jewelry pieces require some special care in handling and storing.

* Keep your jewelry away from hot or cold temperature.

* Always apply your perfume and hairspray before wearing the jewelry.

* Do not cook or clean your house with household cleansers while wearing an amber product.

* Never wash dishes or do laundry with your jewelry on.

* Store your amber in a separate jewelry casket and protect it from getting in touch with other materials.

* Always clean your amber jewelry with a mild solution of soapy and slightly warm water and use a flannel cloth.

* Polish and make it shiny with olive oil and a soft cloth.

* Ultrasonic or steam cleaner isn’t suitable for cleaning amber.

* Clean your jewelry every time you wear it.

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''When we see spiders, flies, or ants entombed

and preserved forever in amber, a more than royal tomb.''

Francis Bacon Sr.

RANDOM AMBER

Composition

Amber is a hydrocarbon (C10 H 16 O).

It is a complex mixture of several resinous bodies, succinic acid, volatile oil and also contains some amount of hydrogen sulfide (H2S).

Its specific gravity is 1.08 and refractive index is 1.54.

It`s hardness on Mohs scale is 2 to 2.5, and is sectile (i.e it can be sliced or shaved).

The Burmese amber is said to be hardest and the Dominican, the softest.

Amber Cross Chain

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Physical Properties

The color of amber fossil varies from yellow to dark brown to almost black.

Very rarely this gem may be found in green and blue-gray colors and hence green amber can be very rare.

In addition, it is dyed in many colors like green, blue, pink etc.

The color of this gem denotes the area from where it has originated.

Baltic amber is yellow, Sicilian is reddish yellow, Rumanian is brown and Burmese is yellow to reddish-brown.

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In the Movies

One of the scenes in the movie, Jurassic Park, was of on an insect found inside a piece of natural amber gemstone. After this amber gemstone became very famous.

Other Random Facts

Amber is the birthstone for people born under the star sign, Taurus.

The name Amber can be traced through the Old French to Latin from the Arabic "ambar."

"Ambar" referred to "ambergris," which was a waxy substance used to make perfume. In the Hindi language, Amber is derived from Sanskrit, and means "the sky."

Amber in sign language

20,532 people are named as Amber in the United States.

The number is increasing by 172 people every year.

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Amber was the 70th most popular girls name in Ireland in 2005

Amber reached a high of number 11 in most popular girls names in Australia.

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Rosary Beads

RESOURCES

Wikipedia

International Paleoentomological Society: Scientific Articles on amber and its inclusions

Institute of Theoretical and Experimental Biophysics

‘To develop a complete mind, study the science of art, study the art of science. Learn how to see. Realize that everything connects to everything else.

Samuel Taylor Coleridge

'Ancient lovers believed a kiss would unite their souls, because the spirit was said to be carried in one's breath.'

Eve Glicksman

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CONTACTS & LINKS

products are individually selected by our team of experts ensuring the highest quality at all times.

Website

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Telephone

+353(0)860258866

+353(0)469435271

All other enquiries including Wholesale.

info@balticamber.ie

is registered with Companies Registration Office.

Reg No: 424539

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Delivery & Returns Delivery and Returns policy

We want you to buy our products with confidence and we are committed to protecting you privacy. Baltic Amber Design does not pass personal information to other companies.

When placing an order your personal information is encrypted via Paypal secure server.

We provide Delivery WorldwideOnce your order is submitted it will be shipped within the next 24 hours.

Shipping will usually take:1-2 working days – Ireland

3-5 working days – UK and Europe8-12 working days – Worldwide

If the product you wish to order is out of stock we will e-mail to let you know.

If for some reason you not happy with the product we guarantee to exchange or refund paymentof returned unused jewellery within 10 days from the date of delivery. Before you send it backplease e-mail us to let us know about returning goods. Items should be returned in its original

undamaged packaging, complete with content. Damaged goods will not be refunded.

If we receive the returned merchandise in damaged condition, or the goods do not arrive to us wewill not be able to refund your money. We do not refund shipping and handling.

You can cancel your order if we haven’t shipped the products already. We will process the refundwithin 3 days when we receive your cancellation request. It is important to note that no

cancellation can be accepted once we have shipped out your order.29

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Baltic Amber Design was founded in 2010 to introduce a range of Baltic Amber jewelery to the

Irish marketplace.

Our extensive range of products include Bracelets, Brooches, Earrings, Necklaces, Pendants,Rings, Baby Anklets and Baby necklaces with more products due to be added to our range in

2012 with the introduction of a mens line.

www.balticamber.ie

© Baltic Amber Design

2012

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