Amber - Northern gold

In Denmark there aren’t precious diamonds and rubies deep underground. But the northern gold hides deep in the ocean and during autumn storms it is whirled up and ends on the beahces on the Danish west coast. 

A mythical "gold nugget"

Until the dark ages, amber was very sought after commodity across most of the world and Danish traders had some of the finest pieces, which had been washed ashore on the Danish west coast. Amber is used for making pearls and other jewellery, and for making beautiful figures, boxes, amulets, and small idols. 

Especially the Greeks believed amber had supernatural abilities and called it the tears of the gods, the Romans used it for making truth serums, and in Denmark it was considered to have healing effects and used for different illnesses. 

Amber comes from pine tree resin, from approximately 50 to 100 million years ago. 

Where can I find amber? 

Denmark is located in an area with very high quality amber. But in order to find it, you must know a little bit of how to search for it. 

First of all, it’s best to go in search of amber after a storm, right when the sea settles down again - typically in the fall or winter. Amber is then often hidden in the dark long piles of seaweed, sea sponges, and driftwood, that have washed ashore and not among the rocks and pebbles! 

How do I tell it’s amber? 

• Amber is lighter than stone. If you compare the weight of your find with the weight of a rock the same size, the difference is obvious. 

• Amber has a softer sound than stone. You can hear that if you strike both gently against your teeth.

• If you scratch a piece of amber with your fingernail or a knife, the colour brightens. 

Amber in the fjord

Not many people are aware of it, but you can also find amber by the fjord. Especially in the area around Hemmet, Skuldbøl, and Skaven Strand on the eastern side of the fjord, you can find the golden prehistoric lumps. Former pastor at Helligåndskirken in Hvide Sande, Thomas Kristensen, wrote a book about finding amber in that particular area. The book has been published in both Danish and German.