Amber jewelry ()
Known as the “gold of Lithuania,” amber has been made into various items that are perfect for you to take home and remember your time in this beautiful country. While you can find amber elsewhere, it is said that Baltic amber (amber from the Baltic Sea) is some of the highest quality and comes from the largest deposit of the natural resource. Lithuania has become the place to find it.
What is amber?
Baltic amber, which is also known as “succinite,” is fossilized tree resin transformed over time. The area surrounding the Baltic Sea was highly forested throughout history and when trees were damaged, they would release sap to naturally heal themselves. The sap would then make its way to the forest floor, where it would be washed away by rivers into the sea. Transformed and preserved by nature’s processes with wind, water, heat, pressure and time, it is said that the amber found in this region today could be from 44 million years ago. Throughout its long history, many have believed in amber’s power to protect and heal. Supposedly, amber protects from evil and encourages creativity, and it is frequently used in modern spas for aromatherapy.
It became such an important commodity to the area that the “Amber Road” trade route was important for moving amber from the Baltic Sea to southeastern Europe. While some places, such as Kaliningrad Oblast in Russia, have made an industry of mining amber, residents along the Baltic coast go searching for this fossilized tree resin after storms wash pieces of it onto the shore. You can travel along a modern Amber Road, which was inspired by the original route, and visit various cities along the sea’s coast.
Fun fact: One of the most well-known exhibits of amber was the “Amber Room,” a room in the Catherine Palace in St. Petersburg that was paneled in different shades of amber. During World War II, the room (or the pieces within it) was taken by the Nazis and although many believe it was destroyed, there are other theories that it still exists and has yet to be found.
Shopping for amber
Finding amber while in Lithuania will not be a difficult task, as shops and vendors are plentiful where you can find various items. What will be more challenging is deciding what you want to purchase. Maybe it’s something small and inexpensive, perfect for packing away in your suitcase and bringing back as a gift, or maybe you want to invest more in a designer piece that you can pass down in your family. Some of the most popular items made from amber include necklaces, bracelets, earrings, decorative pieces and other objects.
You can also find different colors of amber, from yellow and honey colored to even green and red. It is sometimes translucent and sometimes opaque; and it can be treated and polished, depending on what kind of finish is desired. So, you will have lots of choices to make depending on what you are interested in. Seek out brands such as Ketri, Bambero, Opakopa and Kameja. If you’re in Vilnius, head to Pilies Street, where shops cater to tourists looking for a range of amber items.
