Denmark

Basic Introduction to Danish AmberApart from fairy tales, amber is the most beautiful thing in Denmark, referred to by locals as "the mermaid's tears." Danish amber is very precious and requires millions of years of transformation to form. Product CharacteristicsMostly irregular granular, lumpy, stalactite-like, and loose granular forms. Sometimes it contains fossils of plants or insects. Colors range from yellow, brownish-yellow to reddish-yellow. Streaks are white or pale yellow. Has a resinous luster. Transparent to opaque. Fracture is shell-like and very distinct. Hardness 2-2.5. Specific gravity 1.05-1.09. Extremely brittle. Becomes electrically charged through friction. Historical FolkloreDenmark is said to be the first country in the world to have discovered natural amber. As far back as the 14th century, Denmark was at its peak of power and prosperity, when most of the Baltic Sea coastal countries were ruled by Denmark. At that time, amber circulated as currency in Nordic markets and was also used as the most precious gemstone jewelry, presented to the illustrious Roman Empire. It is said that one piece of amber was worth the price of a slave. Europeans liked to wear amber for protection. They made sacred objects, crosses, and shrines out of amber. It was believed…