Polish Amber

What does one buy while on vacation?   

There are certain things that seem to represent a country, for Poland it's pottery, lace, crystal and amber (ok, maybe vodka also).

The Baltic region is home to the largest deposits of amber, most of it comes from Poland, Russia and Saxony in Eastern Germany.  Amber used to be quite inexpensive but now the demand has increased and with it, the prices.

 Over the years, not really knowing what to buy, I would always return from Poland with an amber jewelry piece for my mother-in-law.  She passed away last summer and now all this amber made its way back to me.  My mother-in-law loved amber and was always thrilled with a new necklace or broach.  I personally am not a huge fan of amber but it is comforting to have something that meant so much to her.  

While strolling through the Old Town with my childhood friend, I noticed many shops selling amber jewelry and other items made of that most special tree sap.

Some of the jewelry is quite gorgeous, some very old fashioned.

This huge scorpion was made of different colors and transparencies of amber.  I have learned that the two things that have an impact on the color of amber are gas inclusions within the gemstone and the tree source. 

Polish jewelers have over 200 names for amber!

Amber is sold in every souvenir shop in Warsaw, in Cepelia stores, jewelry stores throughout the city and can be found in every part of the Old Town.