Thursday, November 20, 2008

My Baltic Jewelry....

Welcome to Friday Show And Tell hosted by the lovely



Fall is my favorite season of the year. Yet, moving to California from Washington has been quite a CHANGE in season. It is not the same Fall feeling here as it was back home. I am so missing the cold chill, the crisp air and the falling colors from the trees. Yeah, there are some leaf falling here, but not much.
Anyhow. Every Fall I look forward to wearing my Amber jewelery that came straight from the Baltic Sea and handcrafted into jewelery in Latvia. My background is Latvian, which my Grandparents lived until 1950. They lived near the Capital, Riga and close to the Baltics where these lovely gems are found.


This is my favorite piece of Amber made into a lovely brooch. It looks like berries and leaves on a stem. This piece was sent to us from family now in Latvia. I will always treasure this pin.

This is a lovely pair of earrings my Mother bought me while she was visiting relatives in Latvia. I have a matching ring, except I could not find it... it is still packed away in the many boxes I have yet to unpack since our move. It has the same shape as the earrings. Absolutely gorgeous, set in sterling silver. I hope to have many more pieces in the future... perfect to wear in the Fall season or heck, anytime !!!!!

This last piece is not amber but was also bought for me as a gift from my Mother for my birthday. I love wearing this ring !!!

These rings were worn by little girls and young unmarried women in Latvia, copy from 6-12 century A.D., also known as engagement ring or 7 day ring. Little ornaments with symbols were added to keep away evil spirits. ( I am not superstitious) But, I love wearing this ring and hearing the jingles.

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A Little History On Amber

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Amber is found on the Baltic Sea shores, was and is highly treasured. Amber is fossil tree resin, which is appreciated for its color and beauty. Good quality amber is used for the manufacture of ornamental objects and jewelry.

Although not mineralized, it is often classified as a gemstone. It is a fossil resin" which came from the sap of "several varieties of pines.these pines grew in the subtropical forest" in the present location of the Baltic Sea. "For unknown reasons these pines produced excessive amounts of" sap. "The overproduction may have been nature's method of healing natural injuries caused by storms, lightning, pests and diseases, or perhaps it was caused by a sudden change of climate." Sap "dropped to the forest ground, was embedded into the local sediments, compressed by the overlying deposits, and in time became fossilized. Numerous fragments of both plant and animal life were trapped in the sticky" sap "and thereby preserved. These inclusions make it possible to identify the plants and animal life of the period." I have been told that jewelery made with stuff in the raw amber is highly valuable.

17 comments:

  1. I have a friend that lives in Denmark that sent me a necklace made of Baltic Amber!!! It's a treasure. Wish I could find some earrings to go with the necklace myself...maybe I should look in ebay. Pretty stuff you have.

    Come view my show n tell if you can find time. It's a new 'hobby' of mine started just this past week. Happy Friday, happy weekend.

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  2. Very pretty pieces and interesting background on them.
    Thanks for sharing.

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  3. That is so interesting, Mica. You really taught me something this morning. And your jewelry is beautiful. :)

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  4. I have never seen a ring like that. Very interesting!
    Have a great weekend!

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  5. Those are beautiful and it is interesting to hear how they were worn in Latvia.

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  6. I BET you have noticed the change - I've always told my husband I would not like to move to a place that does not have distinct seasons, for I enjoy the change.

    I think your amber items are beautiful and the info interesting!

    I was noticing your previous post - my husband is very musical too. What a blessing to hear your children play. I hope you sneak a recorder in there at times, not just for 'complete' pieces or performances, but for mere practices. The recordings would make treasured memories to pass on later in their lives.

    I've decided to become a follower of your blog.

    Thanks for your interesting post today.

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  7. Neat. I have an amber necklace that my great grandfather gave my great grandmother. I didn't know it was real amber and wore it to school one day. I thought it was lucite or something. And then one of the teachers stopped me and told me I shouldn't wear such a nice peice to school, to keep it in a safe place. I told grandma and she agreed, she said that was the only gift her mom got that Christmas, and her dad had saved quite a lot to get it for her. Now I only wear it on very special occasions. I think the fact that amber is a lot lighter than glass and gems is why I thought it was simply lucite.
    Anyway, what a lovely collection you have. Thanks for sharing.

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  8. I have traveled and lived in Europe, but never got to the Baltic. Those pieces are beautiful! Thanks for sharing. I'd be wearing those earrings a lot - so pretty! I'll be visiting your link. Amber is one of my favorite "stones".

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  9. What beautiful pieces! They're so unique. Do you wear them very often?
    Welcome to Ca. I've lived here all my life and yet I still long for a "real" change of season. Well, I guess going from blistering hit to "so so heat" is a change. lol

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  10. I love amber pieces of jewelry...it is the perfect color for fall! Thanks so much for the background on it also...very interesting.

    Blessings,
    Susie

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  11. So pretty and different! I can see why you love them. Makes me want to get my amber pieces out though our fall is definitely winter now-bare trees and a dusting of snow last night!

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  12. Beautiful jewelry. I love the ring as well and what special treasures from and amazing part of the world!
    Thanks for sharing these special gifts!
    Blessings,
    Gayly

    www.quilt-n-mama.blogspot.com

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  13. How interesting to learn about amber. Your jewelry pieces are very pretty.

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  14. Gorgeous jewelry, Mica. I love the oak leaf.
    ~Kelli

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  15. I just found your blog. Wow it is so beautiful! I love the recipies and all the things you do to make your family special

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  16. I love that brooch, it truly is
    a beautiful piece of jewelry!
    The ring is cool too!

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  17. Loved seeing your precious pieces of jewelry and reading about the history and back ground on them. Wonderful post Mica!

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