GOLDEN AMBER

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXIV, Issue 955, 27 December 1933, Page 9

GOLDEN AMBER

For centuries women have loved amber for its legendary supernatural powers as a love-philtre. The ancient Romans believed amber to be of great medicinal value. Worn round the neck it was supposed to be a cure for ague, and to act as a defence against chills and insanity. Ground up with honey and rose oil, it was regarded as a specific for deafness, and ground with honey alone as a cure for weak sight. Old superstitions die hard, for amber necklaces are still worn by people who insist that they are good for chest and throat affections. Possibly there may be some truth in this, as amber is the petrified resin that has exuded from long-buried pine trees. When heated it gives out a faint, sweet scent. It is strange to think that after countless centuries of burial under the earth amber still yields the fragrance of a living tree that once stood in a pine forest. Oil is essential to keep amber in perfect condition. In the Eastern bazaars the natives continually draw their amber trinkets through their hot fingers before offering them for sale. The oil from their skin improves the colour of the amber and gives it a most desirable sheen. The rich, dark colour, which is amber’s chief charm, may be obtained by pouring a dessertspoonful of salad

oil into a saucer, and rubbing evenly with a soft piece of muslin dipped in the oil. Remove the oil with another piece of soft rag. and polish with chamois leather.