Why amber is awesome- a short list

One of the coolest things I have learned about my name is that the ancient Greeks called amber “elektron” because of the static electricity built when they rubbed amber. The words “electric” and “electricity” come directly from the Greek “elektron”…that was kind of obvious, but words came from the fossilized tree sap that gave me my name. Amber was considered more valuable than a slave in Nero’s time. (Not sure if this is a good or a bad thing; I’m going to go with good.) China used it in perfume, and there are folk remedies using amber for healing. The most common use it jewelry. Pretty, isn’t it?

Most people are introduced to amber as jewelry.  The coolest aspect of amber is that it is a time machine.  Look at the photo again.  See those little dark splotches in the pendants?  Those are bugs!  Check out this one…

That is a mosquito in amber.  Many people are familiar with the movie (and lesser known but far more awesome) and book “Jurassic Park” with the mosquitos found in amber that contained dinosaur blood.  Amber is like a mini time machine providing us a way to see bugs (and sometimes small animals!) as they were in full health, without having to dig through stone or clay to get to them.

Pretty nifty, isn’t it?

An Open Letter to My Parents About My Name

Dear Mom and Dad,

Thanks for giving me life!  I honestly appreciate the human being you have created (me!) with all of my quirkiness.  I love the fact that I am left-handed, have eyes that change color due to the color I am wearing, and  that I am not a genetically predetermined psycho of Hannibal Lector status.

That you gave me life, I thank you.  (If anyone caught that bastardization of a classic bard from America’s mom, I’ll give you a virtual cookie.)

Still, one pressing question that won’t go away…WHY DID YOU HAVE TO NAME ME AFTER FOSSILIZED TREE SAP?

I looked up my name in the dictionary…okay, I typed my name into dictionary.com.  So sue me.  Here is what my name means according to dictionary.com:
“a pale yellow, sometimes reddish or brownish, fossil resin of vegetable origin, translucent, brittle, and capable of gaining a negative electrical charge by friction and of being an excellent insulator: used for making jewelry and other ornamental articles.”

So, I’m pale yellow (a color that washes me out) fossil (read: ANCIENT), of vegetable origin.  Of what vegetable am I made, I wonder?  I’m brittle.  Does that mean I break easily?  I also give a negative electrical charge by friction.  That might explain the lack of boyfriend in my life.  I also make jewelry and ornaments….I’m frivolous.

In summation:  I am a frivolous  washed out ancient thing of tree sap, easily broken and prone to shocking others.

You were just setting me up for my great destiny, weren’t you?  Think about it…you named me after a fossil.  Therefore, I started out life already ancient.  And prone to shocking others.  You brought this on yourselves.
Way to go, Mom and Dad!

Love,

Fossilized Tree Sap (aka Amber)