Here you will find some information about amber.
Amber is dried resin and has to be at least 20 – 25 million years, but also can be up to 100 million years old. First after this absolute oxygen free process, under high pressure, the resin changes and the oil content has been reduced, real amber has been developed.
A very good characteristic of amber is its weight. Amber is very light and has a specific weight of only 1,01.
That means that amber only is a little bit heavier than water. If you hold it in your hand you will recognize that it is not a stone, which is much more heavy.
Amber has a dull sound if you put it carefully against your tooth.
You also can make a test with saltwater (150 gram salt / liter). If your piece sinks to the bottom it’s a stone, if it floats you can be happy. You found a piece of amber.
How do I find amber?
You can find amber almost everywhere in Denmark, but mostly on the coast 2 – 3 days after a storm. It’s pretty easy to find on the west coast of Jutland and on the east coast of Vendsyssel. There you will find it among kelp and often among small black pieces of wood. This is why these materials have the same specific weight as amber. Where precise you find it depends on the wind, if the wind comes from the sea or from the land. If there is wind blowing from the land to the sea there will be a an undertow and the amber will land on the beach with the undertow. If there is wind blowing from the sea you have to try to catch amber in the water with a dip net. Or just do it like the seagulls. Where seagulls look for some food on the beach you often will also find some amber.
You can find amber at any time during the year, but the best time is during the winter months 1 -2 days after a storm. Also if the water is much colder the amber floats easier.
You easily can make a saltwater test to find out, if it is amber or not.
Saltwater test:
1 liter of water and 150-160 gr. Salt
You have blend both in a glass or in a bowl and put your find in it. If it sinks to the bottom it is a stone. If it floats it is probably that you found a piece of amber.
Amber got generated in a big primeval forest which was in the area of the Ural mountains in the east up north to the woods of Sweden and in the west also in the Kattegat (today the island of Læsø and the northern part of Jutland (Skagen).
