What Is Red Amber Cherry Wood?

Tree Amber Origins

• Amber stones are tree resin formed over millions of years from the heat and pressure of covering layers of sediment. The majority of amber stones come from coniferous trees, including pine trees. Amber does not come from tree sap. The fossilized remnants that become amber stones appear in shades ranging from bright yellow to red and deep brown. The color of amber often depends on the specific species of tree producing the resin before the stones hardened. Because of their once sticky nature, amber stones may show fossilized remnants of insects or plant life.

Red Amber Sources

• Amber found in red or cherry shades is exceedingly rare. According to Emporia State University's website, scientists surmise that the reddish tints in some amber stones comes from the resin of fruit-bearing deciduous trees, including cherry and plum trees. Cherry amber recovered from fossil remnants in the Dominican Republic may draw its reddish hue from legumes, including beans and chick peas, embedded in the ancient tree resin before hardening. As the samples are millions of years old, it's difficult for modern scientists to say with certainty how amber stones attain different pigments.

Red Amber Uses

• Jewelry makers across the world have found uses for amber of all shades in crafting a variety of items, including necklaces and rings. Jewelers prize cherry amber stones because they are rare and can fetch a much higher price than jewelry crafted from more plentiful yellow or dark brown amber stones. Baltic amber -- the highest valued amber in the world -- can acquire a reddish hue with age. Jewelry fashioned with Baltic amber showing these cherry hints can fetch a high price on par with jewelry featuring precious gem stones.

Fake Amber Pieces

• Many jewelry companies attempt to take advantage of the high price associated with cherry amber pieces. According to organic gem specialist Maggie Campbell Pederson, swabbing amber with acetone can remove red coloring and reveal the amber's true color underneath. Placing an amber stone in water can also reveal whether the amber is real or not as natural amber floats. Baltic amber treated with heat can acquire cherry accents, but the color will appear too even to have occurred in nature. Knowing these tricks can help prevent a costly purchase of a fake amber stone.