• Location: Lithuania (Baltic Sea)
• Weight: 2g
• Dimensions: 2 x 2 x 1 cm
• DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Lithuanian amber, often called Baltic amber, is one of the most sought-after and precious types of amber in the world. It originated from the resin of ancient pine trees that grew in the areas around the Baltic Sea about 44–54 million years ago. Properties and appearance Lithuanian amber is known for its distinctive colour, often ranging from light to dark yellow, tending towards honey or orange shades. There are also darker specimens, from brown to almost black, while almost white or greenish variants are rarer. Thanks to its high succinic acid content (up to about 8%), Baltic amber is considered to be of superior quality compared to other types. It often contains natural inclusions such as air bubbles, plant fragments or small insects, which significantly increase its collectible and aesthetic value. Insect inclusions Insects in Lithuanian amber are a fascinating and valuable discovery, offering insight into prehistoric ecosystems. Lithuania, like other countries in the Baltic region, produces amber with various inclusions, many of which contain exceptionally well-preserved insects. Flies and mosquitoes – various species are common inclusions Ants – frequently found, providing valuable data on social behaviour and insect evolution Wasps and bees – rarer, but inclusions of different species offer information on the evolution of pollination Beetles – very common inclusions, from small bark beetles to larger species Termites – their presence reveals a lot about ancient wood-decomposing ecosystems Spiders and other arachnids – although not insects, they are commonly found in amber Collection and processing Industrial amber extraction is not currently practiced in Lithuania, unlike in the Kaliningrad region. Instead, amber is traditionally collected along the Baltic Sea coast, especially near the towns of Palanga, Klaipėda, and Šventoji, where it is brought ashore by sea waves — most often after storms. However, Lithuania is an important centre for amber processing and is recognized worldwide for its production of amber jewellery. Raw amber is first sorted by size, colour, and quality, then cut, sanded, and polished. This process enhances the natural structure, lustre, and unique character of each stone.