Amber (Fossilized Resin)
Amber is a fossilized resin, not tree sap. Sap is the liquid that socializes through a plant's breathing system, while resin is the semi-solid nebulous organic material exuded in pockets and canals all the way through epithelial compartments of the plant. Ground plant resins are multifarious mixtures of mono-, sesqui-, di-, and tri-terpenoids, which comprise structures related on linked isoprene C5H8 components
Volatile terpenoids parts in resins fade away and fritter away under likely forest conditions, parting non-capricious terpenoids fractions to be converted into fossils if they are unwavering enough to endure dilapidation and depositional circumstances. The vestige resin becomes integrated into residues and soils, which over millions of years revolutionize into rock like the shale and sandstone
For that reason, amber is produced as a result of the fossilization of resin that that consumes millions of years and uses a progressive corrosion and polymerization of the inventive organic amalgams, oxygenated hydrocarbons. Although a unambiguous time interval has not been recognized for this progression, the preponderance of amber is established within Cretaceous and Tertiary sedimentary rocks that dates approximately around 30-90 million years old.
Chemistry of Amber
Amber is heterogeneous in composition, but consists of several resinous
bodies more or less soluble in alcohol, ether and chloroform, associated
with an insoluble bituminous substance. Amber is a macromolecule by free
radical polymerization of several precursors in the labdane family,
communic acid, cummunol and biformene. These labdanes are diterpenes
(C20H32) and trienes which means that the organic skeleton has three
alkene groups available for polymerization. As amber matures over the
years, more polymerization will take place as well as isomerization
reactions, crosslinking and cyclization. The average composition of
amber leads to the general formula C10H16O.
Amber should be distinguished from copal. Molecular polymerisation
caused by pressure and heat transforms the resin first into copal and
then over time through the evaporation of turpenes it is transformed
into amber.
Baltic amber is distinguished from the various other ambers from around
the world, by the presence within it of succinic acid,[citation needed]
hence Baltic amber is otherwise known as succinite
Value Of Amethyst(Quartz):
Traditionally included in the cardinal, or most valuable, gemstones
(along with diamond, sapphire, ruby, and emerald), amethyst has lost
much of its value due to the discovery of extensive deposits in
locations such as Brazil. The highest grade amethyst (called "Deep
Russian") is exceptionally rare and therefore its value is dependent on
the demand of collectors when one is found. It is however still orders
of magnitude lower than the highest grade sapphires or rubies
(Padparadscha sapphire or "pigeon's blood" ruby)
Amethyst is the birthstone associated with February. It is also
associated with the astrological signs of Pisces, Aries (especially the
violet and purple variety), Aquarius, and Sagittarius. It is a symbol of
heavenly understanding, and of the pioneer in thought and action on the
philosophical, religious, spiritual, and material planes. Ranking
members of the Roman Catholic Church traditionally wear rings set with a
large amethyst as part of their office.
The Greek word "amethystos" (aµ???st??) basically can be translated as
"not drunken". Amethyst was considered to be a strong antidote against
drunkenness, which is why wine goblets were often carved from it.
Supposedly, when a drunken Dionysus was pursuing a maiden called
Amethystos, who refused his affections, she prayed to the gods to remain
chaste. The goddess Artemis granted the prayer, transforming her into a
white stone; humbled by Amethystos' desire to remain chaste, Dionysus
poured wine over the stone she had become as an offering, dyeing the
crystals purple.
Variants of the story include that Dionysus, the god of intoxication,
had been insulted by a mortal and swore revenge on the next mortal who
crossed his path, creating fierce tigers to carry out his wish; the
mortal turned out to be a beautiful young woman, Amethystos, who was on
her way to pay tribute to Artemis. Her life is spared by Artemis, who
transforms the maiden into a statue of pure crystalline quartz to
protect her from the brutal claws. Dionysus wept tears of wine in
remorse for his action at the sight of the beautiful statue. The god's
tears stained the quartz purple. Another variation involves the goddess
Rhea presenting Dionysus with the amethyst stone to preserve the
winedrinker's sanity.
