Different Colors of Amber

What is the Color of Amber?

There is no single answer to the question of what color is Amber. This is because this natural resin comes in many different shades. This is another very fascinating fact about this natural gemstone. Up until today there are more than 250 different shades and 7 main colors of Amber identified. They vary from yellow to orange and even white. Green and blue colors are also distinguished; however they tend to be very rare. All of these mentioned colors are commonly used when making jewelry.

There are two main factors, which are known to influence Amber’s color. One of these factors is bubble inclusions that are found in this natural resin. The main explanation why these bubbles affect color of Amber is because they block light that goes through this gemstone. These small disturbances in lighting is what cause Amber to form in different colors. The second main factor that determines color of this natural resin is the tree source. Research on fossil resin indicates that some colors are found only in certain tress. It is also worthwhile to mention that color of this gemstone can be modified by either dyeing or heating it.

1. Yellow Amber

This color of Amber is the most typical one since about 70% of this natural resin comes in it. This color can look like brownish too. Usually yellow color of this natural resin is found in Baltic Sea region and it is valued by most individuals due to high quality of Amber. How light or dark yellow color of Amber is depends on the number of gas bubbles found in this gemstone. The higher the number of bubbles the lighter shade of yellow Amber will be.

2. Green Amber

green-amberGreen accounts for about 2% of all Amber and it is very popular among people. The supply of this color is quite big in the market and usually the price depends on how deep the shade of green is in the stone. Yellow-green color tends to be less expensive and deeper green is more expensive. It is worthwhile to mention that not all green Amber is found naturally since this color is quite commonly created by heating Yellow Amber. Since this color tends to be more visible when it is combined with silver many jewelry makers combine green Amber with Silver Sterling. Throughout the history some people believed that this color of Amber has the capacity to bring immortality and good luck.

3. Red Amber

This color of Amber is also quite commonly referred to as Cherry. It is worthwhile to mention that Cherry color of this gemstone is very rarely natural (only about 2-3%). In most cases it is developed by exposing Amber to very high temperature. Raw beads are usually preferred over polished since they tend to look more naturally. Based on archaeological findings red color Amber rings were worn by rich people in Ancient times since they are found in historic graves. Since this color of Amber was hard to find many years ago too only very wealthy people were able to afford it. Today it is not too difficult to find Cherry Amber & jewelry made from it and it is also not too expensive.

4. Blue Amber

This type of Amber is considered to be the rarest shade found and due to this it is valued very highly. Today only very little amounts of this natural resin are found in this color so it is almost impossible to find where to buy it from. If you would go looking for Amber only about 0.2% of it would come in blue color. One unique feature of this color is that Amber stone should be hold in the right lighting in order to see blue shade or otherwise it will look like it is brown or yellow. You should also know that blue Amber contain fluorescents inside, which can turn into very bright blue color when it is exposed to fluorescent light. It is also worthwhile to mention that it is mostly found in the Dominican Republic and rarely in Baltic region. In ancient times it was believed that Amber, which comes in blue color, can help to control spirits of air, fire and water as well as get blessings from gods. Due to this, this type of Amber was preferred by Chief Priests.

5. Black Amber

This color accounts for about 15% of all Amber found naturally. One unique thing about this color of Amber is that it is not fully fossilized resin. This color was formed when tree resin was mixed with soil, debris or some other inclusions. If you would hold any piece of black Amber against light you would soon notice that it is actually another color. Usually it is either brown or dark red. Due to this some people even claim that Amber in black color does not even exist.