Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #1868771 in Books
• Published on: 1996-12
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 134 pages

Review
This excellent book on amber contains details of amber's formation, geographical locations, history, folklore, identification and present-day importance in jewelry. Although small in size and number of pages, this book is packed full of useful and fascinating information about amber and its past.

The authors have included all the relevant scientific information that is required to examine and identify amber from its imitations. With nearly 100 photographs, 65 in full color, the book is a visual pleasure to read and enjoy. A historical timeline is presented in chart form to help put the formation of amber into perspective. Amber has trapped within it a multitude of ancient plant and animal life giving us a window into the past. World maps show the present and past locations where amber is found, with interesting photographs to reveal how amber is harvested. Curious stories describe myths and folklore. The details of testing and sorting amber from its imitations are well explained even for the layperson. A two-page bibliography and a list of major amber collections complete this book.

This well-organized book is not only useful for the gemmologist, but can bring joy to the collector, jeweller or anyone who has an interest in amber. In conclusion, if you want to know more about amber, this book is an excellent resource. -- Canadian Gemmologist, 1997 XVIII(4

Language Notes
Text: English (translation)
Original Language: Swedish

From the Publisher
Amber has been one of humankind's favorite decorations and personal adornments throughout the ages. People have always been attracted to and fascinated by these beautiful fossil resins that may contain trapped insects and plants from an earlier geologic time.

This book explains how amber is formed and describes its geologic setting in the Baltic region and elsewhere. The authors explore the role amber plays in the folklore of many cultures, and provide practical advice on how to care for amber jewelry, how to use it for lapidary purposes, and how to detect fake amber. Profusely illustrated, The Amber Book is a basic source of knowledge for anyone who appreciates amber, including jewelry buyers and art collectors.

Customer Reviews

What? You don't already have this book???

Buy this book, and when you can stop drooling at the pictures, call me and we will talk.

Gorgeous pictures, worth the cost of the book by themselves. A wide ranging course of study on the basics of the Amber trade and a comprehensive scientific primer on the nature of Amber, are a wonderful bonus.

The book also includes several methods for determining if what you have is real or synthetic Amber, as well as a solid discussion of the various types of fakes that are on the market, and how to spot them.

I sell Amber and Jet, both of which are fossil "gemstones" and I always recommend this book to my customers. A well informed customer is the best way to keep honest merchants in business, since they are unlikely to pass up quality work in favor of the "bargain" that is really a fake.

I recomend the book "Jet Jewelry and Ornaments" by Helen Muller for a similar overview on Jet. I can also recommend the Dorling and Kimberly (DK Books) Gemstone book for an overview of gemstones in general.

Study of Amber
The Amber Book, by Dahlstrom and Brost makes for good reading by anyone interested in amber. The book is well written, there are many beautiful pictures and drawings. What I found most enjoyable about the book are the little anecdots along the margin of the book which are filled with facts and lore. The authors discuss primarily amber found in the baltic region. I wished the authors had given more coverage to amber found in other parts of the world. All in all a nice book and an easy read.