Amber (through Spanish from Arabic anbar, 'ambergris,' from its supposed resemblance), a substance analogous to the vegetable resins, and in all probability derived from various extinct coniferous trees, although now appearing, like coal, as a product of the mineral kingdom. It is usually of a pale-yellow colour, sometimes reddish or brownish, is sometimes transparent, sometimes almost opaque, and is occasionally greenish, bluish, or violet coloured. It occurs in round irregular lumps, grains, or drops; has a perfectly conchoidal fracture, is slightly brittle, emits an agreeable odour when rubbed, melts at about 536° F. (280° C.), and burns with a bright flame and pleasant smell. It becomes negatively electric by friction, and possesses this property in a high degree—which, indeed, was first observed in it, and the term electricity is derived from élektron, the Greek name of amber. The specific gravity of amber is 1.065 to 1.070. Deprived, by means of ether, of all its soluble constituents, its composition is similar to that of camphor, C10H16O. An acid called succinic acid (named from the Lat. succinum, 'amber') is obtained from it. It was highly prized by the ancients for personal and household ornaments. There is mention of it in Homer; and in lake dwellings and ancient graves in various parts of Europe amber ornaments have been found. It was regarded as a charm against disease and witchcraft. Great quantities are still consumed in Mohammedan worship at Mecca, and it is in great demand throughout the East. It was obtained by the ancients from the coasts of the Baltic Sea, where it is still found, especially between Königsberg and Memel, in greater abundance than anywhere else in the world. It is there partly cast up by the sea, especially after storms, partly obtained by means of nets, and partly by systematic dredging; and is also obtained by digging in the 'blue earth' and other superficial strata near the coast, in which it is most plentifully found. The annual production in Prussia is about 220,000 lb., of which about one-third is cast up by the sea, and one-third obtained by dredging. Amber is for the most part state property in Prussia. It is found elsewhere also in coal, in shale, and chalk, and occasionally in diluvial deposits, as in the gravel near London; but it is very rare in Britain. It is obtained in small quantities from the coasts of Sicily and the Adriatic, and is found in different parts of Europe, in Siberia, Greenland, Kamchatka, Australia, United States, and elsewhere. It sometimes incloses crustacea, centipedes, and insects of species which no longer exist. Leaves have also been found inclosed in it. Specimens which contain insects or leaves being much valued, fictitious ones are often manufactured and imposed upon collectors. According to an ancient fable, amber is the tears of the sisters of Phaëthon, who, after his death, were changed into poplars. In the royal cabinet at Berlin is a piece weighing fifteen pounds, said to be the largest ever found, and valued at £1500; but it is extremely rare that pieces of ten pounds' weight are met with.
Amber had formerly a high reputation as a medicine, but the virtues ascribed to it were almost entirely imaginary. A volatile oil is obtained from it by distillation, which has the reputation of being an antispasmodic of special value in infantile convulsions. Amber is employed in the arts; for the manufacture of smokers' mouthpieces, for jewelry, and many ornamental objects. It is wrought by carving, rasping, filing, and polishing, or is turned on a lathe. Artificial amber is frequently used instead of the genuine article, which it closely resembles. It is composed of copal, camphor, and turpentine, and may be distinguished from amber by its lower melting-point, and by its readily softening in cold ether, which leaves real amber unaffected. It has been supposed that the famous Cremona violins owe their fine tone and preservation, in part at least, to the use of an amber varnish; and in the present day the production of such a varnish has occupied much attention. Amber contains two resins which in their natural condition are not soluble in spirit or turpentine. When fused, however, it is possible to incorporate boiled linseed oil and subsequently turpentine, but in this process great difficulty is experienced in avoiding overheating, resulting as it does in a dark-coloured and less limpid product. A very clear pale varnish is best obtained by heating six parts of amber, two of boiled linseed oil, and eighteen of turpentine to a temperature of 752° F. (400° C.), in a strong copper vessel capable of resisting the great pressure developed (about twenty atmospheres). See W. A. Buffum, The Tears of the Heliades: Amber as a Gem (1896).