• Location: Lithuania (Baltic Sea)
• Weight: 3g
• Size: 3.8 x 2 x 0.7 cm
• DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Lithuanian amber, often referred to as 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 areas around the Baltic Sea approximately 44–54 million years ago. Properties and appearance Lithuanian amber is known for its distinctive color, often ranging from light to dark yellow, tending towards honey or orange hues. 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 approximately 8%), Baltic amber is considered superior in quality 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 insect social behavior and 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 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 practiced in Lithuania, unlike 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 washed ashore by ocean waves—most often after storms. Lithuania is, however, an important center for amber processing and is globally recognized for producing amber jewelry. Raw amber is first sorted by size, color, and quality, then cut, sanded, and polished. This process enhances the natural structure, luster, and unique character of each stone.