Well-known to everyone, amber is also known as the "sun stone". No need to explain why it is called that - anyone will understand this analogy, remembering its rich golden-orange color. Amber has many amazing properties and qualities for which it is valued all over the world, and some of them should be discussed in more detail. But before that, some interesting origin facts.
A bit of history
From the earliest times, people have tried to explain the origin of the sun stone. Various versions have been put forward. The Arabs, for example, believed that amber was dew that had fallen from the sky and then hardened. And the philosopher Democritus even assured that this stone was petrified lynx urine.
But all versions are, of course, false. In fact, it all started about 50 million years ago. Where Sweden is now. Then there was a humid climate,characterized by excessive moisture. The flora was mainly composed of coniferous trees. Which, due to climatic conditions, intensively emitted resin. Trees “reacted” to hurricanes, thunderstorms and similar phenomena with exactly the same manifestations.
Sometimes insects landed on the resin. It is impossible to break away from it, so they remained in it forever.
Then, after a while, the hardened resins were deposited in the water basin. It turned out that there are very favorable conditions for the accumulation and further formation of amber, consisting in their hydrodynamic and geochemical specifics.
In simple terms, the resin turned into amber under the influence of oxygen-containing waters enriched with potassium. Their combination provoked the appearance of succinic acid, due to which a solid stone of an amazing shade was formed.
Deposit
Well, why amber is called a sun stone, and how it appeared at all, is clear. Now a few words about where it is mined.
There are many deposits on our planet. Take, for example, the USA. There, amber is mined in Kansas, in Ellsworth County, along the Smoky Hill River, under the Canapolis Reservoir, in Arkansas, California, Maryland, Massachusetts, Montana, New Jersey and several other states. Even in Alaska, a sunstone was found in lignite, formed from ancient swamp cypress trees.
More amber is mined on the west coast of Jutland (Denmark), on the B altic Islands (collected on the beaches, more often after storms), in northern Germany (the Elbe River and the borderthe western side of the Gulf of Gdansk (Poland), in Zemland (Kaliningrad), in Lithuania and Latvia, in Estonia, and even in England (along the coast of the counties of Suffolk, Essex and Kent). And this is only a part of the deposits. In fact, they number in the tens. Needless to say, even if amber was found in Greenland.
Chemical structure
Amber, like any other organic compound, has a formula. It looks like this - C10H16O. From a chemical point of view, sunstone is a combination of organic acids with a high content of molecules. Its composition looks like this: O - 8.5%, H - 10.5%, C - 79%.
There are a lot of impurities in amber. Most of them are in stones of B altic origin. In addition to the above, its composition includes aluminum and silicon (0.7% each), iron (0.55%), sodium (0.16%), calcium (0.1%), magnesium and manganese (0.025% each), copper (0.001%).
The structure is amorphous, it no longer depends on the deposit of the sun stone. But the degree of transparency - yes. Amber can be different - cloudy, transparent, translucent, glassy, matte, greasy or resinous.
It is very easy to process and cut. And after polishing, by the way, a change in color is possible.
Physical properties
Studying the description of solar stones, I would like to note that their physical properties do not coincide with any other organic minerals. Here are the highlights:
- The density is the same as that of sea water. Amber does not sink in saline solution.
- If you keep it in fresh water for a long time, it will increase in volume - it will swell.
- Dipping amber into a boiling liquid will soften it. Amber will become as dense as resin.
- It dissolves in alcohol, nitric acid, linseed and essential oils, as well as in chloroform and turpentine.
- Due to various external influences, the density and color may change.
- Amber is an excellent conductor of electricity. If you rub it with wool, you can achieve dielectricity of 1.683 F/m.
- Due to ultraviolet exposure, it is possible to luminesce amber.
This yellow mineral is especially sensitive to temperatures. It softens up to +150 °C. Melts at temperatures up to +350°C. This process, by the way, is accompanied by ignition and the release of ethereal odors. And if the temperature reaches +1000 °C, then amber disappears, decomposing into vapors.
Healing properties
Why amber is called a sun stone is understandable. But why is it considered healing? They say that this stone, due to the long formation, received an incredibly powerful energy. And everyone who takes it in their hands will feel an amazing warmth, manifested in light tingling at the fingertips. That is why, by the way, the rosary is made of amber.
Scientists substantiate the healing properties of this stone by its composition. It is believed that it helps to cure jaundice, diseases of the eyes, ears and throat, lose toothache, and improve the condition of internal organs.
Succinic acid contained in the stone has a calming and antispasmodic effect. Therefore, many “charge” water with it, after which they drink it. They say that it also helps with headaches, heart and kidney failure, arthritis, skin pathologies, blood diseases, disorders in the gastrointestinal tract. Therefore, people with similar problems are advised to wear amber jewelry or talismans, massage with this organic compound and meditate with it.
Magical qualities
Countless beliefs exist about the sun stone and its "relatives". Amber is shrouded in so many legends that it is impossible to list them all. For a long time it was believed that if an evil person picks it up, the stone will turn dark. And once in the possession of a kind personality, it will only shine brighter.
They say that in its magical properties, amber is similar to amethyst. He comforts people in grief, protects from dark forces and witchcraft, helps to preserve youth and he alth for a long time. Amber amulets were even worn on newborns to ward off the evil eye.
They also say that this stone enhances intuitive abilities, brings good luck, gives vigor and gives self-confidence. It is not surprising that in the religions of different peoples of the world, amber is used in rituals. In Italy, for example, they were aimed at hunting luck and a good harvest.
Fluorite
This brittle, beautiful calcium fluoride mineral is also worth notingattention, since we are talking about solar stones. The photo above shows exactly fluorite. And it can be not only so rich-lemon. There are pink fluorites, green, blue, blue, reddish, lilac, violet-black. The rarest are colorless.
The unique color is due to a defective crystal structure that reacts sharply to radiation and heat.
A feature of fluorites is also their composition. Rare earth elements can often be found in it, sometimes even thorium and uranium.
These stones, like amber, have healing properties. Therefore, they are so often used by healers. Fluorites are used to make massage balls and use them in procedures aimed at improving cardiovascular processes, curing brain damage, preventing epileptic seizures, and relieving stress.
Yellow zircon
Another solar mineral belonging to a subclass of island silicates. From a chemical point of view, zircon is a s alt of silicic acid of magmatic origin.
Interestingly, in Asia it is called the brother of the diamond. Not surprising, because the properties of these stones are really similar. Zircon is especially beautiful when it is faceted (pictured above). By the way, like fluorite, it can be of different shades.
Precious zircon is rare. It is mined in the Urals, Yakutia, Norway, Tanzania, Australia, USA, Brazil, Canada, Korea, Thailand, Kampuchea, Vietnam, Sri Lanka and about. Madagascar. Deposits of convention althere is more zircon, but it is not used for jewelry purposes.
Minerologists assure that this stone has unique healing properties due to its bipyramidal shape. Zircon jewelry is recommended for people with coronary heart disease, high blood pressure, a weak immune system, overweight, problems with the liver and appetite, and those suffering from insomnia.
Yellow Tourmaline
Very rare stone. It is a boron-containing aluminosilicate with a high content of potassium and magnesium. Less common is only Canari tourmaline, which is mined in Malawi.
The stone can be of different shades - from light golden to dark brown, but in any case it will not have inclusions or air bubbles. But there are overflows. The intensity of the color is not uniform, so the stone changes shade under artificial lighting and in the sun.
Heliodor
From the Greek language, the name of this mineral, which is a variety of beryl, is translated as "Gift of the Sun". An amazing golden hue is due to the presence of impurities of Fe3 + ions. Sometimes uranium is found in the composition of some stones.
This stone lends itself well to cutting, so it is often used in jewelry. But he's pretty rare. It is mined in Argentina, Russia, Brazil, Madagascar, Ukraine, Namibia. It is he who is shown in the photo above.
The honey shade is fascinating, but the stone can lose it. This will happen if you ignite it. At first, heliodor will become colorless, and then it will acquireblue tint.
In conclusion, I would like to say that there are still many other precious stones of a golden hue in the world. Sometimes in nature it is possible to find yellow diamonds, golden sapphires and topazes, citrines. They are rare, but that is why they are attractive.
