Amber is a fossilized tree resin that is formed through a process known as amberization. After the resin is exuded, it hardens. The volatiles contained in the resin dissipate and evaporate, and the organic molecules join and form polymers. True amber is formed when there are no more volatiles and the resin is completely polymerized. Until complete polymerization takes place, the resin is known as copal, a substance similar to amber. In the past it was thought that the main difference between amber and copal formation was time, but more recently it has been noted that the type of sediment the resin is deposited in is more important than the amount of time.
Amber often includes insects that were attracted to the sweet resin and trapped by the stickiness. It also may include a number of other plant and animal inclusions. All the pieces we sell are genuine amber, and most are either Baltic or Dominican.
Baltic amber comes from Poland, Germany, Denmark, and Lithuania. It comes from a deposit known as the Blue Earth which is below the water table and extends into the Baltic Sea. Storms rip it from this bed and wash it up onto the shore. Pieces of Baltic amber have been found washed up on shores as far away as Great Britain. The exact tree that produced the resin is unknown, but based on plant and insect inclusions it can be determined that it was produced in a subtropical forest.
Dominican amber comes from the Dominican Republic, an island in the Greater Antilles. The resin was produced by an extinct tree named Hymenaea protera. Dominican amber is typically taken out of mine shafts by miners, and there are several large and famous mines on the island. From its plant and insect inclusions, we can tell that the resin was produced in a tropical forest.
ABOUT US
We are dealers in all types of coins ranging from ancient, to medieval, to modern and United States. We also have branched out to deal in fossils, so please check our extensive inventory. Please check back regularly as we list many new items weekly!
COINS TO SELL???
We are frequently buying both single coins and entire collections. If you have coins to sell, please contact us! Let us know what you have, and let's work out a deal!
SHIPPING
We combine shipping on multiple items won. We offer both first class and priority shipping options, so please check for both on the invoice.
