AMBER

Amber is not a stone but the fossilised resin of ancient coniferous or flowering trees, tens of millions of years old; sometimes insects or plants of those eras are frozen inside it. Ukraine is one of the amber capitals of the world: Volyn-Polissia amber (Rivne, Volyn) has long been prized for its warm honey colour and lightness. In folk tradition amber (an 'amber necklace') was worn as a talisman of health and, by belief, protection from illness. To the touch it is warm, light and becomes electrostatic when rubbed. Amber is worked gently, preserving its natural inclusions and shades — from light honey to dark cherry. It is an organic, 'living' gem with a deep connection to the Ukrainian land.