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How to Cut a Baltic Amber Stone

Amber is the fossilized resin of coniferous trees. Amber has been found in Sicily, Myanmar and Romania, but most amber comes from the Baltic Sea. The stone is prized because it often contains fossilized inclusions of extinct plant matter, insect life and animal life, which allows scientists to get a view into the distant past. Pieces of amber may be cut to allow the best possible display of fossils contained within the stone. This is a challenging task, but can be performed with some care.

Things You'll Need

Jeweler's saw or hacksaw, fine blade
Files
Nylon brush
Sandpaper, 220-grit, 400-grit and 600-grit (or emery paper or aluminum oxide paper)
8- by 10- by 1/2-inch wood

Instructions

- 1
  Determine how you want the finished piece of amber to look, and decide whether you need to remove any large pieces from the unfinished stone.
- 2
  Saw the larger, unwanted pieces of your chunk of amber from the main piece, using the jeweler's saw or fine-bladed hacksaw. Work slowly, using even strokes.
- 3
  Use a file to begin smoothing the amber piece once you have roughed out the shape you have in mind. Begin with a coarse file and work your way down through one or more grades of coarseness until you have achieved the look you desire. You may need to periodically clean the files using the nylon brush, as amber crumbles easily.
- 4
  Attach the 220-grit sandpaper, emery board or aluminum oxide paper to the 8- by 10- by 1/2-inch piece of wood. Sand the nearly finished product with sandpaper. Begin with the 220-grit and work through the 400-grit and 600-grit sandpiper. Holding the piece of amber in your fingers, rub it over the sanding board, using a circular motion.

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