• Location: Lithuania (Baltic Sea)
• Weight: 10g
• Dimensions: 5.6 x 2.3 x 1 cm
• DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Lithuanian amber, often called Baltic amber, is one of the most sought-after and valuable types of amber in the world. It originated from the resin of ancient pine trees that grew in the areas around the Baltic Sea approximately 44–54 million years ago. Properties and appearance Lithuanian amber is known for its distinctive colour, often ranging from light yellow to dark yellow, tending towards honey or orange shades. Darker specimens, from brown to almost black, also exist, while almost white or greenish variants are rarer. Thanks to its high succinic acid content (up to about 8%), Baltic amber is considered of higher quality than other types. It often contains natural inclusions such as air bubbles, plant fragments or small insects, which significantly increase its collector's and aesthetic value. Insect inclusions Insects in Lithuanian amber are a fascinating and valuable discovery, offering a glimpse 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 insect social behaviour and evolution Wasps and bees – rarer, but inclusions of different species offer insights into the evolution of pollination Beetles – very common inclusions, from small bark beetles to larger species Termites – their presence reveals much about ancient wood-decomposing ecosystems Spiders and other arachnids – although not insects, they are commonly found in amber Collection and processing Industrial amber mining is not currently practised 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. Lithuania is, however, an important centre for amber processing and is globally recognised for the production of amber jewellery. Raw amber is first sorted by size, colour and quality, then cut, polished and buffed. This process enhances the natural structure, lustre and unique character of each stone.