Luxurious amber jewelry

Amber, a fossilized pine tree resin, is often known as the Jurassic gem, with its popularity soaring after the release of the film, Jurassic Park, where scientists extract DNA from an insect trapped in prehistoric amber. Most of the world's amber dates back 30 to 90 million years.

Believed to be one of the first substances used by man to create jewelry, amber is the only stone to have a scent and to contain inclusions from the earth, such as insects and plant pieces. Amber from Denmark is especially precious. Known as "Nordic Gold", it was used as payment in barter trade for a long time.

Copenhagen's Amber Museum and the House of Amber, one of the world's largest and oldest producers of amber jewelry, now bring their beautiful collections and amber culture to Beijing.

According to Ji'er Wang, the House of Amber's exclusive agent in China, all the collections on display are made of amber found today along the coast of Denmark and formed from pine trees which grew in the prehistoric forests of Northern Europe some 30 to 50 million years ago. Sea water later submerged these forests and the water masses pressed and hardened the amber until it washed up on the beaches.

The ancient Greeks discovered amber's ability to produce static electricity and believed amber could protect against disease and evil spirits. Even today, many people believe that wearing amber can bring good luck and protect one's health.

Each piece in the collection varies in size, form and luster. The color ranges from milky white, through rare warm red nuances to sparkling or non-transparent golden shades. When matched with sterling silver, gold, or diamonds, they are a picture of elegance and luxury.

The jewelry's high quality is reflected in the fact that only 20 percent of all amber in the market stands up to the high standards set by the House of Amber.

Where to find

SA-12, building 14, Solana Lifestyle Shopping Park, Chaoyang

1st floor, Center Zone, Ginza Mall, Dongchceng district

Xiao Changyan

(China Daily 02/07/2009 page7)