Amber: The Ancient Gem That Inspired Jurassic Park

About this episode

Amber can preserve a moment for millions of years, carry a static charge, float in salt water and contain the remains of ancient insects. Yet it is not actually a mineral or a stone. In this episode of Gem Pursuit, Matthew Weldon is joined by Courtville senior dealer and geologist Colin Weldon to explore how amber forms, why it feels warm to the touch and how natural amber can be distinguished from common imitations. They follow amber along the ancient Amber Road, examine its place in Roman, medieval and Arts and Crafts jewellery, and explain how colour, transparency, condition and unusual inclusions affect value. The conversation also investigates the science behind Jurassic Park, the mystery of the missing Amber Room, the enormous Sun Stone at the Palanga Amber Museum and the warning signs buyers should know when examining pressed or treated amber. Chapters: 00:00 Amber’s remarkable properties 00:20 Introducing Colin Weldon 02:22 How to identify amber 03:56 Amber is hardened tree resin 05:11 How resin becomes amber 07:21 The colours of amber 09:10 Amber’s softness and the Mohs scale 10:39 Why amber is used in jewellery 12:13 Electricity and the Amber Road 14:38 Amber’s symbolism and spiritual importance 16:04 Medieval and Arts and Crafts jewellery 17:27 Where amber is found 19:13 What Jurassic Park got wrong 23:08 How inclusions affect value 25:04 Colour, clarity and condition 27:01 Amber carvings 27:49 The mystery of the Amber Room 31:51 The reconstructed Amber Room 32:26 The enormous Sun Stone 34:49 How to identify pressed amber 36:13 Warning signs when buying amber 38:03 Jurassic Park Gem Trivial Pursuit 45:36 Subscribe and closing credits Visit Courtville: www.courtville.ie Gem Pursuit: www.gempursuit.com Get social with Courtville, follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok. Instagram: @gempursuitpodInstagram: @courtvilleantiques TikTok: @matthew.weldon Email: info@gempursuit.com This podcast was produced for Courtville by Tape Deck. This is a video episode of Gem Pursuit, an antique jewellery podcast about produced by Courtville Antique & Vintage Jewellers in Dublin. Subscribe to our channel if you love antique and vintage jewelry.