Amber, like pearl is an organic gemstone. It come from ancient coniferous tree resin that has fossilized into a hard natural substance that can be polished. Today's amber is between 320 and 2.5 million years old. I has also been used as jewellery for an exceptionally long time. Amber beads have been found in a cave in Cheddar, England estimated to be 11,000 o 13,000 years old.

Because amber-forming trees often exuded resin in defence against insect attack, the resin often trapped insects. So many pieces of amber have some of the best insect fossils obtainable, showing insects no longer found today.

The word "electricity"  derived from the Greek elektron, which was the name used by the ancient Greeks for amber. This is due to he ability of amber to create a electric charge, collecting dust when rubbed with a cloth.

The main origin of amber are the Baltic region, along the coasts of Poland, and the former Soviet Union. It is sometimes found washed up on the seashore in England.