Amber is actually the fossilized, hardened resin of the pine tree, formed over 50 million years ago. Found primarily in the Baltic regions, amber gemstones may actually contain the remnants of prehistoric insects or plants. Often referred to as "the gold of the north," amber is increasingly popular in a wide variety of jewelry. Amber is very light and soft with hardness close to a finger nail, it floats in salt water and found on the shores of Baltic Sea. Because of the lightness very large amber pieces can be used in jewelry and worn comfortably and with ease. Baltic amber found in a great variety of colour, shapes, sizes and translucency : from pale yellow through numerous shades of golden yellow and orange, to white, green, beige, brown and red; from clear to degrees of opaqueness. Each piece of amber is unique - no two pieces are exactly the same - even in multi stone jewelry, the pieces are close in color and shape they are not exactly the same. Special pieces of amber with trapped and preserved insects and flora makes it an interesting and fun collectible, and if big enough can be used in jewelry.