Dark Cherry Set |Baby| + Mommy Necklace
Original price was: $99.00.$74.00Current price is: $74.00.
Amber isn’t just beautiful; it’s a piece of Earth’s ancient forests captured in warm, honeyed light. Every bead you wear is a 40-million-year-old story, alive with tiny air bubbles and fossilized resin patterns that make each piece unique. But this uniqueness also means amber is softer and more delicate than most gemstones, requiring gentler care to keep it radiant.
Whether you wear a Baltic amber teething necklace, a polished bracelet, or a statement pendant, understanding how to clean and care for your amber jewelry properly will help it last for generations, retaining its warm glow without scratches or dullness. Let’s walk through everything you need to know, step-by-step, so your amber can stay as beautiful as the day you received it.
Understanding Amber: What Makes It Unique?
Amber is often mistaken for a stone, but it’s actually fossilized tree resin formed millions of years ago in the ancient forests of the Baltic region and beyond. Its soft glow and warmth when worn against the skin come from its low density and natural origins, which is why many people feel a calming connection when wearing amber.
Because amber is organic, it differs from hard gemstones like sapphires or diamonds. It is sensitive to chemicals, high heat, and hard impacts, and can scratch more easily if not treated with care. You might notice tiny inclusions or lines within your amber; these are not flaws but part of what makes each piece unique, capturing plant fragments, air bubbles, or even small insects that tell a story of Earth’s distant past.
When you understand amber’s natural softness, it becomes clear why special care is essential. Cleaning it the wrong way can lead to scratches, clouding, or even cracks, while proper cleaning preserves its warmth and glow for years of daily wear.
Amber Mohs Scale and Hardness Explained
If you want to keep your amber jewelry beautiful, it helps to understand its hardness. Gemstones are measured on the Mohs scale, which rates minerals from 1 (talc) to 10 (diamond) based on scratch resistance.
Amber typically ranks between 2 and 2.5 on the Mohs scale, making it one of the softer materials used in jewelry. For comparison:
- Quartz: 7
- Glass: ~5.5
- Fingernail: ~2.5
This means amber can be scratched easily by dust (which often contains quartz particles) or even a rough surface, and it can break if dropped on a hard floor.
Because of its low hardness:
- Avoid wearing amber when doing heavy work or sports.
- Store it separately in a soft pouch.
- Be cautious with cleaning methods to prevent scratching.
Understanding the amber Mohs scale and amber hardness helps you approach cleaning and daily wear more mindfully, ensuring your jewelry remains clear, smooth, and vibrant for years.
How to Clean Amber Jewelry Safely
Cleaning amber is simple, but it must be done carefully to avoid clouding, scratching, or weakening the resin over time. Forget harsh cleaners, ultrasonic machines, or chemical dips—amber needs a soft, warm touch.
To clean your amber jewelry:
- Use lukewarm water (never hot) and a drop of mild soap if needed.
- Dip a soft flannel or microfiber cloth in the soapy water, gently wiping the surface of each bead or pendant.
- Avoid soaking amber for long periods. A quick, gentle clean is enough.
- If dirt collects around the clasps or in crevices, use a soft baby toothbrush lightly—never scrub.
- Rinse with clean lukewarm water and pat dry immediately with a soft cloth.
Avoid:
- Hot water, which can cause cracks.
- Chemical jewelry cleaners, alcohol, or vinegar.
- Paper towels, which can leave micro-scratches.
- Ultrasonic cleaners or steam cleaning.
For amber teething necklaces, you can use this same method to clean them gently after use, ensuring any residue from skin oils or saliva is removed without damaging the beads.
Regular, mindful cleaning will help your amber maintain its warm glow, ensuring your pieces look beautiful while preserving their integrity.
How to Polish Amber at Home
Over time, amber can lose its shine due to skin oils, air exposure, or small scratches from daily wear. Learning how to polish amber can restore its warm luster without the need for professional services if done carefully.
To polish amber safely:
Take a tiny amount of olive oil or almond oil on a soft microfiber cloth.
Rub the amber bead or pendant gently in small circles.
Use a clean section of the cloth to buff off excess oil until the surface feels smooth and non-greasy.
For light surface scratches, you can use a small piece of soft flannel with a drop of linseed oil, polishing gently to improve clarity.
Important warnings:
- Do not use abrasive pastes or polishes intended for hard stones.
- If your amber has deep scratches or cracks, consult a professional amber polisher or jeweler to prevent further damage.
- Avoid over-polishing, as removing layers can thin the resin over time.
Polishing your amber 2–3 times per year is enough to maintain its glow while respecting its delicate nature, ensuring your pieces look fresh while preserving their unique textures and inclusions.
How to Store Amber Jewelry Correctly
Proper storage is as important as cleaning for preserving amber’s natural beauty. Due to its low hardness and sensitivity to chemicals and heat, here’s how to keep your amber jewelry safe:
Store separately: Keep amber pieces in soft pouches or lined boxes to avoid contact with harder jewelry that could scratch them.
Avoid direct sunlight: Prolonged exposure can cause fading or cracking. Store amber in a cool, shaded place.
Keep away from chemicals: Perfumes, hairsprays, lotions, and cleaning products can damage the surface of amber. Apply these products before wearing your amber, and allow them to dry fully.
Avoid extreme temperatures: Never leave amber in a hot car or near radiators, as heat can cause cracks.
Wipe after wearing: Gently wiping your amber jewelry with a soft, dry cloth after each use removes skin oils and moisture that can dull its shine over time.
By storing amber properly, you protect the delicate fossilized resin and the stories it holds inside, ensuring each piece remains beautiful, clear, and ready to wear whenever you need a touch of warm, natural beauty.
Myths and Facts About Amber Care
There’s plenty of advice online about caring for amber jewelry, but not all of it is accurate. Let’s clear up a few common myths:
Myth 1: You can clean amber with toothpaste.
Toothpaste is abrasive and can scratch amber’s soft surface, leaving it dull. Always use mild soap and water instead.
Myth 2: Amber is unbreakable.
Amber’s softness (2–2.5 on the Mohs scale) means it can scratch easily and break if dropped on hard surfaces. Handle and store it with care.
Myth 3: Amber can be cleaned in ultrasonic or steam cleaners.
These methods are too harsh and can cause cracks or cloudiness. Always clean amber gently by hand.
Myth 4: You don’t need to clean amber because it’s a resin.
Amber can accumulate skin oils, dust, and residue that dull its glow over time. Gentle cleaning keeps it radiant and preserves its beauty.
By understanding these facts, you protect your investment and enjoy your amber jewelry for decades, keeping it vibrant without risking damage.
A Treasure Worth Caring For
Your amber jewelry is more than an accessory—it’s a piece of ancient history, a warm connection to the Earth’s past, and a natural beauty that complements your daily life. Caring for it properly isn’t difficult, but it requires mindfulness, gentle cleaning, occasional polishing, and careful storage.
Every time you take a moment to clean or safely put away your amber, you’re preserving its golden glow for years to come. With these simple care habits, your Baltic amber pieces will continue to tell their story while adding warmth to yours.
If you’re looking to expand your collection or replace a well-loved piece, explore our Baltic amber jewelry collection here—ethically sourced, handcrafted, and ready to bring a piece of ancient nature into your everyday life.
