by Allan Taylor

Created on: June 10, 2010

Amber is a fossilized resin derived from ancient pine trees long buried underground.   It has been recovered and traded for 1000’s of years particularly in the Baltic Region of Europe and in Mexico,  the Caribbean,  and Burma.   Amber is used in inexpensive jewelry, and has various  minor  industrial uses,  such as making varnish and a source of succinic acid.   

About 90% of the world’s supply of amber comes from Baltic region which has its distinctive variety and is mainly recovered from what is cast up on beaches.  I have no first hand knowledge of this amber and will leave it for someone else to write about.

Where can Americans  find amber at their doorstep?   They need only to fly to Mexico City and roam around the zócalo  to see interesting  pieces of  amber  jewelry being sold at  street stalls.  A lot can be learnt from studying these amber pieces.   The Mayans have been trading this  local amber from ancient times and know all about it.

The source of this amber is from Chiapas,   Mexico.   The treasure hunter for amber,  to obtain more information,   must head southwards to the delightful town of San Cristóbal  de las Casas, located away up in the mountainous  region of  Chiapas.  Take the bus south.    I assure you this is no hardship as  the region is fascinating for tourist travel.  There is lots to see and experience in and around San Cristóbal, for it produces wonderful handicrafts, coffee,  as well as amber.

Firstly,  I  recommend visiting the Museo del Ambar de Chiapas which is located in an old monastery, El Convento de la Merced, on the outskirts of  San Cristóbal.   Here you will see a huge collection of local amber together with photographs of the region and mines where it comes from and information on its origin.

Let’s start with its origin.   Pine trees exude resin which drip and flow down the bark of the tree. Do you get pine trees in the tropics?   Well, yes, there are various species of tropical trees that do this,  such as “guapinol”  pine and others.  The Mexican amber has been dated to be Miocene to early Oligocene Age, or in the range 20 to 30 million years old.  Considering continental drift,  in those days 

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