How to choose and care for amber jewelry: A comprehensive guide

Amber jewelry, often called the “gold of the north”, has been delighting with its uniqueness and beauty for centuries. However, in order for amber to delight with its brilliance for many years, it is worth knowing how to properly care for it. This guide will help you understand how to choose, clean and store amber jewelry to keep it in perfect condition.

To begin with, the choice

When choosing amber jewelry, it is worth paying attention to the authenticity of the raw material. The most valued is Baltic amber, which is characterized by a high content of succinic acid. To avoid fakes, it is worth buying jewelry from trusted sellers who offer certificates of authenticity.

Amber comes in many colors, from milky, light yellow, through green, red, to very rare blue. Each color has its own charm, however, it is worth remembering that some shades can be obtained artificially, by heating the stone. When choosing, be guided by your tastes and the occasion for which you are going to wear jewelry.

Amber jewelry is available in many styles — from classic necklaces to modern, avant-garde designs. Choose the style that best reflects your personality and matches your wardrobe.

Careful!

Amber is a relatively soft raw material (2-2.5 on the Mohs scale), so it requires gentle treatment. For cleaning, use a soft cloth and lukewarm water with a small addition of soap. Avoid using chemical cleaners that can damage the amber surface.

Amber is prone to scratches and cracks. Store jewelry in separate, soft pouches or padded compartments to avoid contact with other, hard objects. To prevent damage, avoid wearing amber jewelry during heavy physical labor.

Be sure to remove jewelry before using chemicals such as cleaning products, hairspray or perfume. Such products can cause amber to tarnish and lose its natural shine.

Away from the sun

Amber is best stored in a dry and cool place. Extreme temperatures and high humidity can lead to cracks and changes in its structure. Try to avoid storing jewelry in places exposed to direct sun, which can cause discoloration.

In order for amber to retain its brilliance, it is worth applying a thin layer of baby oil or special oil for precious stones to its surface once in a while. Gently polish the surface with a soft cloth to restore its natural shine.

Let's take care of our amber!

Amber jewelry is not only a beautiful accessory, but also a piece of history enchanted in a small object. When choosing jewelry with amber, be sure to check its authenticity and quality. Take care of amber, clean it regularly and store it in the right conditions to enjoy its brilliance for many years.

Adhering to the above tips will allow you to preserve the charm and beauty of amber jewelry, making it a wonderful element of your collection and a great addition to any styling.

Illustrations:

1. Amber pendant Tokyo, source: amberdecor.pl
2. Chilli x Barbara Piekut jewelry presented at the Amberif Selection 2024 fashion show.
3. Car jewelry. Aleksandry Adamek — S&A Design Studio.
4. Grinding amber. Source: S&A

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