Looks can be deceiving when it comes to jewelry, but that isn’t the case with amber teething necklaces. You can distinguish between raw and polished amber just by looking at the surface. But how do they differ, and which one is better for your child? Let’s take a look.
What Is Polished Amber?
Polished amber is basically the polished version of raw amber that goes through a thorough the intricate polishing process. The rough, uneven surfaces of raw amber are smoothened on polished amber, as a result of which they feature a remarkable luster. Gleaming, lustrous polished amber retains all of the healing properties of raw amber. Parents often choose polished amber necklaces for their children as they are pretty enough to turn them into a cool fashion statement while remaining effective teething aids.
The polishing process makes amber beads surface smooth, ultimately making them safe against your baby’s tender skin. This process, however, also makes amber beads more porous, which is a good thing as it allows better heat absorption, which is necessary for releasing therapeutic oils and essences. This ultimately leads to longer-lasting teething pain relief for your child, which is the ultimate goal that you are looking for. It does make polished amber more fragile, though, so you have to treat it with extreme caution.
Raw Vs. Polished Baltic Amber
Baltic amber or succinite is fossil resin, which due to its molecular configuration, and original structure, has healing properties which have been approved by numerous centuries. The name mainly refers to amber coming from the coast of the Baltic Sea. In these deposits, amber can be found accompanied by sands from the bottom and wave-rounded cobbles covered with regular wave patterns.
Contrary to popular belief, amber is not a gem, but the fossilization of a prehistoric tree, containing succinic acid. This acid contains useful therapeutic properties that could soothe the pain of teething babies, making them the most popular teething remedy for generations.
You can find both unpolished and polished amber on the market. The fundamental difference is the unpolished type looks earthier and coarser than the polished one, but it still retains its natural beauty with an untouched appearance. On the contrary, polished amber has undergone an intricate manufacturing process, so it’s usually clear and sometimes even transparent, which gives it a premium look and allows it to double as a stylish accessory. Both kinds of amber are equally safe and contain the same amount of healing properties for your baby, so which one to choose is ultimately up to your personal preference.
There are several areas where raw and polished amber differs. Here are some of the significant differences that you should know:
- Treatment – Raw amber isn’t treated at all. Jewelers select them very carefully according to their size and appearance before fitting them in necklaces. You may notice slight differences in the dimensions of the raw amber beads if you look at them carefully. This is because jewelers use them directly after picking them from their deposits. Polished amber, on the other hand, is exactly how you imagine it. It goes through several rounds of treatment to give it a proper structure. This removes the oxidized amber on the outer layer.
- Design – Untreated amber doesn’t look as good as polished amber once the polishing process is over. If you want to treat it as a piece of jewelry for your child, then go for polished amber. It comes in different designs and looks good on children. Raw amber doesn’t have too many variations in design. They look like simple necklaces for kids. Again, both have healing properties for teething issues in children.
- Healing effect – This is where raw amber is slightly ahead of polished amber. Raw amber has a faster absorption of healing properties than its polished counterpart. The unprecedented interaction with the skin ensures that your kid doesn’t suffer from teething pains anymore. Polished amber looks good on children, but they have a slower absorption rate of healing properties. The necklace may look shiny and glistening, but when it comes to reducing teething pain, it falls behind raw amber. Raw amber contains more succinic acid than polished amber, thus reducing teething pains more quickly.
Raw Amber Healing Properties
Amber is not just used for treating teething pain. It also cleanses your mind, body, and spirit. While parents associate raw amber for healing teething pains, experts believe that adults can also wear these necklaces as amber can draw various diseases from your body while also rejuvenating your nervous system. It not only clears your mind from depression but also promotes self-confidence and stimulates intellect and creative self-expression. The presence of succinic acid encourages spontaneity, decision-making, and brings balance, patience, and wisdom.
In addition to teething problems, raw amber also opens the throat center in children. This helps to treat issues like goiter and tonsillitis. You can also make your children wear a raw amber necklace if he is suffering from spleen, bladder, gallbladder, liver, kidney, or stomach issues. Raw amber can alleviate joint problems and strengthen your mucus membranes.
Unpolished Baltic Amber
Unpolished or raw Baltic amber has tons of therapeutic benefits. Again, if you are planning to buy Baltic amber just for its health benefits, then go for raw amber. It has a significantly higher percentage of succinic acid compared to polished amber beads. This means your kid will start experiencing lesser teething pains once he starts wearing the raw amber necklace bringing your pride the immediate relief and comfort he needs.
Now that you know the differences between polished and raw amber, it’s up to you to decide which one you will buy.
