Amber is one of the most captivating natural materials found on Earth. Warm to the touch, glowing like captured sunlight, and often holding fragments of ancient life within it, Amber sits at a unique crossroads between geology, botany, history, and spirituality. Neither crystal nor stone, Amber is fossilised tree resin – and yet its energetic, emotional, and historical impact is profound.
This ancient substance has been treasured for thousands of years, worn as jewellery, used in healing traditions, burned as incense, traded across continents, and revered as a symbol of life, protection, and vitality. To hold Amber is to hold time itself.
What Is Amber?
Amber begins its life as tree resin, secreted by prehistoric trees millions of years ago as a natural defence mechanism. This sticky resin protected the tree from injury, insects, and disease. Over time, some of this resin fell to the forest floor or washed into sediment-rich environments where it was buried.
Through a process involving pressure, heat, and the absence of oxygen, the resin slowly polymerised and hardened over tens of millions of years, transforming into Amber. Unlike sap, which remains soft and degrades, true Amber undergoes a chemical change that makes it stable, durable, and capable of lasting for geological timescales.
Amber is therefore organic in origin, yet fossilised – making it fundamentally different from minerals that crystallise within the Earth.
How Old Is Amber?
The age of Amber depends on its geographical origin, but most true Amber falls within an extraordinary timeframe:
-
Most Amber is between 20 and 100 million years old
-
Baltic Amber, the most common variety found in the UK and Europe, dates to approximately 44 million years ago (Eocene period)
-
Dominican Amber is younger, around 15–25 million years old, often exceptionally clear
-
Burmese Amber (Burmite) is among the oldest known, dating to around 99 million years ago (Cretaceous period)
This means that many Amber pieces formed at a time when early mammals were evolving, tropical forests covered much of the Earth, and dinosaurs had only recently disappeared.
Amber with Insects – Nature’s Perfect Preservation
One of the most fascinating aspects of Amber is its ability to preserve ancient life. As resin flowed down tree trunks, it sometimes trapped small insects, spiders, pollen, leaves, moss, or fragments of bark. Because resin is antimicrobial and seals out oxygen, these inclusions were protected from decay.
Over millions of years, these inclusions became perfectly preserved, often retaining astonishing detail – wings, antennae, legs, and even internal structures in some rare cases.
Amber with insect or plant inclusions is therefore a natural time capsule, offering a direct window into prehistoric ecosystems. Scientists study these specimens to understand ancient climates, species evolution, and forest environments that no longer exist.
From an energetic perspective, inclusion Amber is often experienced as especially grounding and wise, carrying the imprint of ancient life and deep Earth memory.
The Colours of Amber
Amber is most commonly associated with golden-yellow tones, but it actually occurs in a wide range of colours depending on age, origin, and impurities:
-
Honey and golden yellow
-
Cognac and deep orange
-
Butterscotch (opaque and creamy)
-
Red or cherry Amber (often heat-influenced)
-
Rare green or blue varieties (notably Dominican)
Its colour comes from trapped organic material, air bubbles, and the degree of oxidation during fossilisation – not from mineral impurities like traditional gemstones.
Amber Through History
Amber has been used by human civilisations for at least 12,000 years. Archaeological finds show Amber jewellery in Neolithic burial sites, suggesting it was valued not just for beauty, but for protection and spiritual significance.
The ancient Greeks called Amber elektron, believing it carried the power of the Sun. When rubbed, Amber produces static electricity – a property that directly gave rise to the modern word electricity.
The Romans traded Amber extensively along what became known as the Amber Road, stretching from the Baltic Sea through Europe and into the Mediterranean. Amber was worth more than gold in some regions.
In many cultures, Amber was worn as a talisman for:
-
Protection from illness
-
Courage and vitality
-
Emotional strength
-
Safe travel
Metaphysical & Energetic Qualities
Energetically, Amber is often described as warm, comforting, and gently empowering. It does not overwhelm the system but works steadily to cleanse, uplift, and stabilise.
Amber is associated with:
-
Clearing mental fog and easing stress
-
Relieving fear and emotional heaviness
-
Supporting confidence and self-worth
-
Gentle manifestation energy rooted in joy and vitality
-
Strong yet soft psychic protection
Because it is organic and Sun-connected, Amber is particularly supportive during periods of burnout, emotional fatigue, or life transitions.
Chakras, Zodiac & Planetary Associations
Amber resonates most strongly with the Sacral and Solar Plexus chakras, supporting creativity, emotional balance, personal power, and confidence. It is also known for its ability to cleanse and harmonise all chakras, gently drawing out stagnant energy.
-
Chakras: Sacral & Solar Plexus (cleanses all chakras)
-
Zodiac: Leo & Aquarius
-
Planet: Sun
These associations reinforce Amber’s themes of warmth, vitality, individuality, and enlightened self-expression.
Amber vs Copal – An Important Distinction
It is worth noting that not all resin sold on the market is Amber. Copal is younger tree resin, often only hundreds or thousands of years old. While beautiful, it has not undergone the full fossilisation process.
True Amber:
-
Is millions of years old
-
Will not soften with gentle heat
-
Is harder and more stable
Reputable sellers will always clearly identify true Amber and avoid misleading claims.
A Living Connection to the Ancient World
Amber is a reminder that the Earth holds memory – not just in stone, but in light, life, and organic matter. Whether worn, meditated with, or simply admired, Amber connects us to ancient forests, long-lost creatures, and the quiet continuity of life across time.
To work with Amber is to work with patience, warmth, wisdom, and the steady pulse of the Sun – preserved and carried forward across millions of years.
Each piece of Amber is completely unique, shaped by time, nature, and chance – no two will ever be the same.