16. Cleaning Amber and how to transform it in your own amulet

Since ancient times, people have had an affinity for decorating their living spaces with all kinds of objects that had meaning to them. Sometimes they were trophies to remind them of their successes in battle, other times simple jewelry or decorations to delight their eyes. Nowadays the same thing happens, only the number of objects we own is increasing and this comes with a responsibility towards them. 

All the objects we own need at least a minimum of periodic maintenance. Whether it's a wash, a polish, or a simple dusting, during these activities we have a short moment when all our attention is dedicated to them. If you have dabbled in semi-precious stones before, you already know that each type of stone needs different care to keep its appearance and not damage it. In today's article we will talk about how to properly clean an Amber piece without damaging it, about cleaning the "charge" it can have, but maybe most interestingly, about what this charge can mean exactly. 

Cleaning the surface and maintaining the shine of amber 

As you probably already know, amber is not a stone, as many tend to believe. It is the fossilized resin of ancient trees that existed on Earth millions of years ago. Amber requires a little more attention and proper treatment to maintain its beauty and shine which delights our eyes. 

Below you will find some simple tips for properly cleaning amber, so you can enjoy it for as long as possible. Being quite sensitive, cleaning products containing acids or alcohol should be completely avoided when it comes to amber. These will interact with its chemical composition and can damage it irreversibly, altering its color or destroying its surface. 

The safest way to remove grease or impurities is to wipe with a slightly damp soft cloth. After cleaning, wipe the products with a dry cloth to remove any remaining water marks. Having a very low hardness, amber can easily be scratched. For this reason, make sure you use a fine material for wiping. You can choose a microfiber cloth, a piece of cotton, or even a makeup remover pad. Do not apply too much pressure, sometimes just tapping it is sufficient. 

If you have noticed fine scratches on the surface of the amber, you can try using almond or olive oil. Apply a thin layer of oil on the amber and then wipe it with a soft material. Most of the time, if it is not serious scratches, this method succeeds in covering them, and most of the time it adds a plus of shine. 

If you have amber jewelry or accessory, be careful not to keep it in the same box with the other jewelry. Being more fragile than a usual stone, direct contact with a sharp or hard object can leave scratches on its surface. The best thing is to store it in a separate box, lined with soft material, such as velvet or silk, to prevent any accidental damage. 

How do we turn amber into an amulet and how do we keep it "clean"? 

If you like semi-precious stones and crystals, you have surely heard that they can retain the energies around them and that they should be cleaned periodically to get rid of unwanted ones. Anything in our surroundings can influence our state, regardless of the material it is made of. Are you curious how? Let's see. 

Whether we are talking about clothing, objects with which we decorate our space, or the accessories we wear, they all have one thing in common. They become an extension of ourselves. An extension of the image we show on the outside, but also of our imagination and our inner world. Sometimes, even without realizing it, we attribute meanings to some of these objects or associate them with certain events, periods in life, or emotions. 

You know that moment when you stumble upon something you haven't used in a long time and it triggers a cascade of memories? Sometimes they are dear memories, and other times they are not pleasant at all. Well, every object in our life has the potential to "carry" such a memory with it. That is why it is important to pay attention to the things we have around us and observe how they make us feel. 

For example, if you wore your favorite amber jewelry to an event and the experience was a negative one that gave rise to strong feelings, the next time you wear that jewelry it will likely remind you of the event. You may not even realize it, the memory passing through your mind very quickly, but it can give rise to emotions. If you are a somewhat sensitive person, a simple trigger like this can throw you into a chain of thoughts that perpetuate that emotion, triggering the snowball effect that, if not stopped in time, can turn into a huge avalanche. Now let's see how we can protect ourselves from this and how you can enjoy your piece of amber or any other object you own without causing unpleasant feelings. 

1. Set your intention 

To maximize focus, before starting any activity, you set your intention toward the process that follows, right? You can do the same thing when it comes to amber jewelry or accessories. If when you purchase it you consciously give it meaning, it will stay in your mind, and every time you wear this object, you will remember what it represents. It can be a trait you want to remember more often, a trait you want to show to the world more often, or simply a good thought. It's like creating your own amulet. 

2. Revisit your intention 

Don't let the moment you take off the accessory and put it back in its box be meaningless. While putting it back in its place, remember the intention you set for it. Maybe moments come to mind where its mere presence reminded you of that intention. Maybe it made you remember to stay calm in certain situations, to be more empathetic, or to not take things so personally. Whatever the intention you have attributed to it, revisit it on every occasion. 

3. Purifying amber and strengthening intention 

If you need the accessory to "come to your aid" more often, you can create your own "cleansing" ritual for it. When it's time to clean it, in addition to the techniques from the first part of the article, you can use your imagination to create a routine for cleaning and charging it. You can light a scented candle while cleaning it, you can use scented sticks or anything else you think helps. 

Such a ritual will stay better imprinted in your mind because you have invested more time and energy in perfecting it. In this way, the little piece of amber will acquire a stronger meaning, and when you wear it you will remember the intention you have given it more often. 

Conclusion 

There are also other methods for cleaning amber, both externally and energetically. In this article, we aimed to provide a simpler and more accessible understanding of what object charging means and how it can subtly influence our daily states. If you find it interesting and we have aroused your curiosity, we invite you to let your imagination run wild and try the methods we talked about. Remember, everything starts with intention! 

Choose the accessory that attracts you the most and turn it into your own amulet! We are very curious and can't wait to hear about your experience!