WEH Kanton

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Thu, 8 Jan 2009 10:25:06 +0800
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Bursztyn

Amber

Amber was known and appreciated already in antiquity. The commodity was transported from the Baltic to ancient Rome along a trading route known as the "Amber Road" . Amber was believed to preserve youth, beauty, and health; it was crafted into sculptures, jewellery and amulets, and successfully applied as a treatment for fever, insomnia, headaches, and gastritis. Gold, white, and green amber set in silver is used to make fine jewellery. Amber is much older than the Baltic Sea - it was formed some 40 million years ago. It is the resin of some little-known prehistoric conifers. Chemically, it consists mainly of carbon (79%), oxygen, hydrogen, and sulphur. When lightly rubbed, it attracts tiny bits of paper. The best place to find amber is on the beaches around Gdansk.