Amber | Baltic Amber | Different locations | Fossils



19th century writers on Amber in Antiquity

Rev. King in History of Precious Stones writes an extensive summary of all antique writers about Amber. He writes more about Amber here.

George Frederick Kunz in his Curious Lore of Precious Stones om "Amber Talismans " More on Talismans and use in Antiquity (Romans) in his Book "Magic of Jewels"

Feuchtwanger wrote an excellent treaty of 19th century locations and quality levels of Amber

Dieulefait writes extensively about Amber and occurences as well as history and appreciation. Ths illustration comes from that book.

 

World of Amber by Professor Aber

Very rarely will we recommend another site in our library pages (we have the WWW Virtual Library for that). However an overview of "Amber" would not be complete without visiting the "Amber Portal" of Prof. Aber. Many pages, images, discussions, reviews and links are given on these pages. And she has therefore built one of the most extensive and knowledgeable resources online.

 

Works before 1600 on Amber

Greeks: "Theophrastus": discussion of a stone that turns out to be Amber (10 pages). Read of Roman, Greek uses and Damigeron as well.
10th century Persian Scientist "Al-Biruni" writes on Amber and its different origins as known in Iran at the time

Also try Amber chapter by early 16th century (pseudo-) Albertus Magnus
"Georg Agricola" in De Natura Fossilium" 10 pages on "Amber"

"Samuel Chapuzeau" in History of Jewels on "Amber"

"Nicols" in A Lapidary or History of Gemstones on "Amber"

 

Several External Amber References

Ofcourse..there is always the Wikipedia. Webmineral has a great factsheet on Amber.

A great German factsheet on Amber is by Mineralienatlas.

 

Extensive overviews: Amber mines and geology

Occurence and paragenesis of Amber by Streeter.
 
George Frederick Kunz on Amber finds in the USA
 
Famous Jeweler Castellani also gives a brief history on Amber including more recent occurences.
 
Famous 17th century French Traveller Tavernier and Gem dealer (Hope Diamond) on "Amber mines in the Orient"

 

Baltic Amber

Baltic Amber exported to the Far East (Asia)
Description of Baltic Amber finds and geology

Prussia Baltic Amber Production (1886)
Greek, Phoenician trade in "Baltic Amber"

Some large Collectable Baltic Amber Pieces

 

Amber Overviews

Prof. Oliver Farrington: includes 19th century history, treatments and other gemstone info on Amber

Burnham reviews historical knowledge and localities of Amber

Which Amber colors were popular when and where ?

Fernie: Gemstones for Curative Wear: Amber (8 pages overview, medical, talisman applications)

 

US Geol. Survey on Amber

George Frederick Kunz did the reporting until 1907:



USGS 1883: Amber : Location. Descriptions, Values
USGS 1905: Amber USA, Burma
USGS 1907: Large Amber block in Prussia
USGS 1908: Amber location