Rus: Culture of Yantar
In antiquity, amber was spread around the Mediterranean through trade & as war spoils. Baltic amber artifacts have been found in the tomb of King Tutankhamon, in Mesopotamia as well as in ancient Carthage, ancient cities of India, Cambodia & in ancient Rome.
Because amber very slowly oxidizes when exposed to air, it is preserved only under special conditions. Most amber deposits deteriorated throughout history & only about 20-25 actual sites around the world hold amber in sufficient quantities for mining. Because of its value & rareness, only the richest Romans could afford & enjoy amber jewelry & other amber items. A miniature amber sculpture of a man was more expensive than a real person, a slave would be. Even though amber looks like a stone it gives a strong sensation of warmth when handled or held.
When heated, yantar emits a soothing resin scent. It is these sensations that made
people believe in yantar's therapeutic qualities. Yantar has been used to massage aching muscles with good success. When it is powdered & then mixed with honey it is believed to cure asthma & other respiratory problems. Today there are still those who believe that an yantar bracelet will ease rheumatic pain. Many believe that the aura of yantar purifies the endocrine & digestive systems when worn. Tts electro-magnetic properties (rubbed against wool amber attracts paper & hair), are thought to be beneficial against fatigue & depression. When worn as a necklace or pendant, yantar boosts the heath of the wearer thus helping to fight colds & the flu.
Yantar can be carved, cut, polished & set in jewelry for men & women. It was a major trade item for the ancient Balts & was taken down river to such sites as Troy, Athens, etc. as trade materials as well as war booty. The ancient Scythians & later the Circassians used it set in gold as jewelry that was therapeutic in nature as well as beautiful.
Yantar/amber is an organic substance & needs more careful treatment as well as attention than many other gems. It is softer but also this quaklity makes easier to finish. Nonetheless, it has retained its beauty for millions of years & its polished luster can be retained indefinitely, if a few simple precautions are observed. Lukewarm water & a soft cloth are all that is needed to clean yantar/amber. Never use strong solvents or soaps on
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