Natural Amber (Kehruba) in Pakistan

What makes amber different from other gems

Most gemstones grow as crystals inside rock. Amber began as sticky resin oozing from ancient trees, hardened over millions of years and was later dug from the ground or washed up on shores. The best-known source is the Baltic region, and amber from there runs from pale lemon and honey to deep cognac and cherry-brown. The Urdu and Persian name Kahruba is usually explained as "straw-catcher", a nod to the way rubbed amber picks up small bits of straw through static charge.

Colours and collector pieces

• Honey and golden amber - the classic look, warm and glowing when light passes through it.
• Cognac and darker tones - deeper, richer browns that suit men's rings and pendants.
• Amber with inclusions - pieces holding tiny insects, plant fragments or air bubbles trapped in the resin are prized by collectors, because each one is a small window into the past.

Real amber or imitation?

Amber is copied with plastic, glass, pressed (reconstituted) amber made from melted scraps, and copal, a much younger resin that has not fully hardened. A few signs help:

• Genuine amber is very light. Glass imitations feel noticeably heavier and colder.
• Natural amber often shows uneven colour, flow lines or small inclusions. Perfectly uniform colour or neat "suns" in every piece can point to heating or pressing.
• When rubbed briskly on cloth, real amber can give off a faint resin or pine smell and attract light paper scraps.

Please avoid the hot-needle test you may see online; it damages the stone and makes it unreturnable. If you want certainty, a certificate of authenticity is available on request, and we can arrange independent lab testing. Read more on our authenticity page.

What sets the price of a Kahruba stone

Amber is gentle on the budget compared with crystalline gems, but rates still vary. Clarity and an even, attractive colour push the value up, as do size and a clean, well-polished shape. Interesting natural inclusions can add a collector premium. Because each listing is one stone, the per-carat rate is simply the price divided by its carat weight.

Tradition and everyday wear

Amber has a long folk history across Asia and Europe, where it was traditionally worn for warmth, comfort and vitality. These are beliefs passed down through generations rather than promised effects, and many of our buyers simply love its glow. It suits pendants, beads and rings for men and women alike.

Looking after amber

At about 2 to 2.5 on the Mohs scale, amber is one of the softest gems you can wear. Keep it away from perfume, hair spray, alcohol and strong heat, wipe it with a soft damp cloth only, and store it separately so harder stones cannot scratch it.

Ordering amber from GemStore

What you see in the photograph is the exact piece you receive. We inspect every stone before listing, ship by insured, tracked courier anywhere in Pakistan and offer Cash on Delivery, so you can open the parcel and check the amber before paying. If it is not right for you, our 7-day return policy covers refunds and exchanges for unused stones in their original condition.