"All the same,' said the Scarecrow, 'I shall ask for brains instead of a heart;
for a fool would not know what to do with a heart if he had one.'
"I shall take the heart,' returned the Tin Woodman, 'for brains
do not make one happy, and happiness is the best thing in the world."
— L. Frank Baum (The Wonderful Wizard Of Oz)
Amber and the heart motif are inexplicably intertwined-- Amber famously lasts more than forever, of course, and the heart implies all things that are good, true and foremost to our being human.
We recognize the heart as being central to all things. We arrive in the heart of downtown or get right down to the heart of the matter. We gladly admire a woman “after my own heart” and worry about others hoping that they are not losing heart when things don’t seem to be going their way.
We easily and happily refer to someone who is sweet and kind as a dear heartand in matters of love and deep affection talk about our “sweetheart.”
We look around our world using a lens that includes feelings of compassion when asking a question such as, “How can their leaders be so heartless?” while reading headline news. We gladly admit to theft when speaking about a delightful little child -- she stole my heart when she gave me hugs and kisses. At times, we may have wanted to steal someone’s heart away and sometimes we take in an unexpected guest who becomes a lifelong friend -- true story for many of us-- I didn’t have the heart to send that stray dog away.
In grammar school we were instructed to learn some things by heart and everyone has experienced feeling grateful from the bottom of one’s heart. Most of us have had to be careful not wear our hearts on our sleeve or take stinging criticism to heart.
Feeling light hearted brings joy. Having one’s heart one’s mouth is an expression of extreme anxiety. Sometimes we have to brush off a slight or a hurt because intuitively we know the person involved had their heart in the right place.
And who hasn’t ever wished with all their heart for something bright and beautiful to come true?
Wearing a heart, an amber heart is such a meaningful expression of love both for the wearer and the giver. Such a gift implies knowing the person quite well and understanding their true potential. Having an amber heart or being ”amber hearted” is now an expression in the modern lexicon meaning a person possessing such a heart A particularly warm, loving or kind heart. Who doesn't want to be kindhearted?
Amber is warm to the touch and upon the skin. Amber rests at room temperature-- touch a piece and you'll notice the comparative warmth immediately, as contrasted with glass or say, turquoise. This beautiful, distinctive fossil resin is a gift from nature and is at its absolute best when it is worked by hands that know and understand it.
Like the human heart, Baltic amber still protects its secrets & is filled with mysteries science has yet to uncover. Yes, of course amber itself can be (and certainly is) avidly researched, explained and studied in scientific ways-- But ultimately, like the human heart, it must be felt, it must be understood, not merely mapped.
"A heart is not judged by how much you love,
but by how much you are loved, by others."
(said the Wizard to the Tin Man)
Perhaps that innate warmth is one reason amber artisans gravitate towards the shape over and over again. And perhaps it is because each Baltic amber heart is quite unique, just as a fingerprint or snowflake, a variation on a universal theme.
At Amberjewelry.com we work to highlight special Baltic amber jewelry designs that are expressive, artistic & feel & look great. We love jewelry that starts conversations & tells a story. We love amber hearts for Valentine's Day, but then we wear amber hearts all year round! It's a rare day when you won't catch us with an amber heart or flower worn close to the heart, as a pendant.
I enjoyed writing this blog and sharing what makes Baltic amber so special & so unique with you. Thank you for letting me share with you. Best wishes on your amber voyage.
--Andzia
