Amber Colors

There can be subtle shades and combinations of various colors with varying hue. Baltic Amber comes in green, honey, red, yellow, cognac. Recently a green amber is the most sought after, used primary in amber jewelry, set in sterling silver Amber can be absolutely transparent or absolutely opaque. Amber is not always one-colored: the unique combinations of two or more colors and shades, patterns (sometimes they form the most brilliant compositions of art) can be found. For these reasons amber becomes attractive, charming and unique. Tree resins are the main amber material. They are transparent, bright yellow-the color of fresh honey. This color (clear amber) remains after the resin is transformed into amber, however variations in the resins could affect it. Oxidation could darken, or concentrate a previous color (red, black, rich yellow). Transparent (with a yellowish shade) is a color of amber that could be called "primary"- fresh tree resins are like this. About 10% of amber is transparent, but this is mostly found in small pieces. Big transparent amber pieces are especially rare and valuable. The shade of transparency could change from yellowish to dark red; it depends on the degree of amber oxidation.When talking about amber colors, inclusions need to be mentioned, since they creates a stunning visual effects. Inclusions are usually found in foliated transparent amber.

The color and degree of amber transparency depend on the size of bubbles and the greater their number found in 1 sq millimetre of amber surface the whiter it is. Other inorganic inclusions are bubbles with water. When moving a lump we can see the bubble moving in water.
The richness of color and degree of transparency of Baltic amber encouraged for its numerous classifications. Different historic periods had fashions for different Baltic amber varieties. Under the rule of emperor Nero, amber resembling the golden shade of his consort Poppaea's hair was in fashion.

In the Middle Ages white amber was trendier , for people believed it had the best curative power. Martin Luther received such amber as a cure for his gallstones from Frederick The Wise.