Monday 20 October 2014

Precious Things #2: Amber



I have quite a few bits of jewellery. Some I wear all the time, like my engagement ring (white gold bands sprinkled with tiny diamonds) and my stainless steel, men's-style watch (does that even count as jewellery?)

I don't own much that's worth a lot in monetary terms but there are plenty of trinkets in my jewellery box which do hold a lot of meaning and memories.

As a teenager I decided gold wasn't for me - it was all about silver. Despite my birth stone being emerald, and my love of green, I always favoured turquoise. But a poke around my modest little collection reveals that I own rather a lot of amber. I suspect that's because, yet again, it's an Eastern European thing. A long weekend in Prague many moons ago revealed just how much that part of the world loves the stuff: shop after shop with necklaces, rings, earrings of all shades displayed in the windows.


The market in Krakow houses a multitude of stalls selling amber too. My 'Polish' jewellery is mainly (with the exception of a few little rubies and amethysts) comprised of it: some greenish and sparkling, some the colour of set honey, other pieces in rich golden syrup hues.

This necklace has been in our family for years. It desperately needs re-stringing as the waxed thread is frayed away to almost nothing in places so I daren't wear it. But it does remind me of childhood. It lived in a carved wooden box along with other little family treasures. The stones have an almost soapy feel to them and they glow warmly when they catch the light. Such a perfect stone for this, my favourite time of year.




I don't know how 'precious' amber actually is - in comparison to other stones at least - but it does capture my imagination: it evokes ideas of Bohemia and of autumnal trips to Krakow when the shop fronts were decorated with gourds. 

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P.S. If you'd like to guest post for the next Precious Things (November) please get in touch. I'd love to hear from you.

In the meantime, keep an eye out for my fellow blogger's posts this month:

Leanne at Today's Stuff



31 comments:

  1. yes, that jewelry is beautiful. I have many of my mothers bursztyn pieces and love to wear them from time to time, but agree that the string they sit on does perish eventually. In Krakow, my dh bought me a champagne bursztyn as amber can come in different shades of yellow and orange. They are a very comforting stone, probably not very expensive if ti comes to being precious, but loved nonetheless!

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    1. The colours are beautiful, aren't they? I have a pair of earrings of my mum's and the stones are a creamy shade. I must get the necklace repaired - it was something she kept meaning to do.

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  2. I also love silver and, like you, have my watch and engagement ring as daily wears. I also have been wearing a necklace the ABO bought me for my birthday last year. I have other things too but haven't really changed them the last 18 months...maybe I should look through my jewellery box a bit more often? Your amber necklace is beautiful and I can see why you treasure it. xx

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    1. Thank you! I have to say, I now have my mum's jewellery and there are a few gold pieces in there. I've worn a couple already and it's nice to have a change...
      S x

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  3. Such beautiful stones, they glow with warmth.

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    1. I don't wear orangey tones usually but I'm happy to wear amber jewellery. Apparently amber's quite therapeutic so who knows, maybe it'll have some kind of calming effect!

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  4. I have always loved amber, and I love how you describe how it looks and feels. How wonderful to have a family piece like this, with such strong connections to your Polish heritage.
    Leanne xx

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    1. I seem to be going a bit Poland mad at the moment and I suspect it's because I now recognise the importance of keeping that side of our family story going... but it's an interesting and colourful (literally) part of our lives. I'm happy to keep indulging myself!
      S x

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  5. Many moons ago I wrote a post about some amber glass beads that have been passed down from my great grandma - again not sure of their monetary value but I've always loved the colour.Would love to see the market stalls packed with it! Thanks for sharing Sarah. Take care x Jane

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    1. Thanks Jane. I don't think amber's particularly valuable but yes, it certainly is when you look at it in terms of memories and meaning.
      S x

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  6. I love the colour of amber, it is warm a soft. I also love it because it is fossilised organic material, tree resin. Sometimes it is possible to see tiny impurities inside, maybe trapped wee insects, or seeds. I have little amber studs for my ears. Many babies and children in my native Switzerland wear amber necklaces, apparently it helps with teething. I have no idea why. I would love to guest post some day! Cx

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    1. I'd heard about the teething thing a while ago - you just reminded me! On the theme of amber, I'm fancying reading 'The Hare with Amber Eyes' as I've heard it's a good book.
      As for guest posting, you're welcome to join us in November if you'd like? Feel free to contact me via email :)
      S x

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  7. Your necklace is beautiful. I've always liked amber too. I love the naturalness of it, every piece is a little different.

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    1. That's true, it is! I have a ring in 'olive amber' - it's green and quite sparkly. Apparently that's due to some elements decomposing within the resin. Sounds a bit unpleasant but it looks nice...

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  8. Your necklace is beautiful!! I love amber, but I don't have any eastern European connections that I know of. I know that a lot of amber comes from the Baltic doesn't it. It has an amazing feel as you say and I love how no two pieces are the same. I hope you can get your necklace restrung so that you can wear it again, although I understand better to be safe than sorry in the meantime. I would love to join in these posts at some point in the future but not for the next one. Perhaps you could let me know if/when you have a space in the future and I would be honoured to join in. I love your precious things, thank you for sharing them with us! xx

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    1. Hi Amy - I'm glad you're enjoying the series. And yes, much amber does come from that region. I was fascinated to read about the Amber Room which was stolen from Russia by the Nazis during World War 2...
      Anyway, before I start rambling: would you like to guest post in December? I can send you an email if you like with a bit more info...
      S x

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    2. Sarah..is that the komnata bursztynowa that youre talking about here? I have heard something about that but vaguely.

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    3. It is indeed! Worth a Google if you're interested...

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  9. Amber is wonderful isn't it, so ancient and fascinating to gaze at. It always seems as though it should be valued highly because of its age and beauty. I'm a lover of silver jewellery as well, it's lovely. CJ xx

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  10. What a beautiful necklace Sarah. You must get it re-strung so you can wear it. I too spent a weekend in Prague with all it's pretty amber. I succumbed to the lure of it and have some earrings and a necklace in my jewellery box. I must get them out again. You're right. They're perfect for autumn. Bee xx

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  11. I used to work for a Polish lawyer, and whenever he travelled back to Poland, he would bring me pieces of amber jewelry. I loved it! Your necklace is a nice string of glowing stones. It would be worth restringing it so you could wear it. Wendy x

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    1. Hello! Yes, I'm going to look into it and hopefully find a jeweller who can help. Funnily enough I worked with a lovely Polish man but he always brought me something amber in colour alone: krupnik. Polish honey liqueur. Very potent but good for a nightcap! x

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  12. I was disappointed with "The Hare With The Amber Eyes"; it was a reading group book many moons ago and I seem to recall I wasn't the only one. That said my reading tastes have changed since then so don't take my word for it!

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    1. I have to say, I'm really getting a lot of use from the local library. I order books for collection and if they're not great I just give up and move onto the next! I'll order it and give it a go and let you know!

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  13. I have a few items of amber jewellery - most of it not worth a lot in money terms but precious because of the memories. I have a necklace and earrings that are a very pale amber that were quite expensive - my husband bought them when we cruised earlier this year to St. Petersburg.

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    1. Seems it's quite popular! I do love mine and now wear my green amber ring every day. My mum bought it for me and it reminds me of her.

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  14. love your precious things posts x

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  15. I adore amber ... but I only have a pair of amber earrings. I believe its value varies according to the perfection, or otherwise, or absence of inclusions, and it's colour

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    1. That's interesting... I'll have to look up which colours are the most covetable.

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  16. I'm like you, it doesn't have to be anything extraordinary or expensive to be worn as one of my favorites. I like the way you compare amber to Bohemian. I can see it in my mind's eye, it is such a carefree stone. I have some favorites from my family that I will get out and wear on occasion too.

    Ricky Rowe @ Find A Jewelry Expert

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