:: All prices listed are wholesale to shops :: Retail prices to individuals are twice those listed ::
Amber is a fossilized/polymerized resin, exuded from extinct trees related to modern day conifers (and some flowering tree species) over 20 million years ago.
It is primarily found in the Baltic regions, but also appears in the Dominican Republic, Mexico, Burma, Italy, Romania, Borneo, New Zealand, the Middle East, Alaska, Canada, and even in the United States.
Clear, white, yellow, orange, red, brown, black, and even blue or green hues are all possible, while opacity can range from translucent, clear, or spotted, to milky or dark with inclusions.
There are many plastics and younger resins (copals) which can emulate amber. There are some tests that are available to distinguish between the materials; one simple test is friction: amber is an easy conductor of static electricity. Another can be done with a black light; genuine amber fluoresces an amazing green-blue under UV light.
Amber is a gorgeous material used from antiquity as body jewelry, in the form of pendants, amulets, and for ear piercings. Amber seems to capture sunlight and allow it through the body. Burmese hilltribe women such as the Kachin wear long, crayon shaped pieces of the unique dark orange-red burmite amber found there. The Aztecs utilized amber for incense and body jewelry (earplugs and labrets). They even had a word for an amber ear plug: apozonalnacochtli (after apozonalli: amber; and nacochtli: ear pendant, ear plug).
Click these links to jump ahead to the various items found on this page:
Amber plugs are made in millimeters (and random sizes in the case of Mexican amber), so may not be exactly on the mark with Western measurements. Gauge or inch sizes can be requested as we can easily translate into these measuring systems.
We do not recommend amber body jewelry 8ga or smaller as amber tends to be quite brittle, and may break at those sizes, especially if it has inclusions. We have tested it; it's true! We keep getting asked, so we'll be specific: we do not have, and do not plan to carry, any 8ga, 10ga, 12ga, 14ga, or smaller amber.
Amber plugs are priced partially on weight, partially on the amount of waste it takes to get a solid pair of large plugs. We have had requests for things such as amber spiral shapes. While they're already not a good idea due to the brittle nature of amber, they're double jinxed due to the fact that a very large piece of amber will need to be utilized: though you may be wanting a 0ga spiral, in reality a piece of amber the size of the entire overall dimensions will have to be carved, thus costing a small fortune. Hollow amber would need very thick walls to not be extremely fragile; additionally, we consider the creation of hollow amber plugs a tragic waste of the glory that is ancient amber, and thus do not carry them. We've also had requests for quite large amber plugs, and we can give estimates. Please note that the prices for amber go up in a logrithmic curve as the diameter (and thus weight and difficulty in finding workable raw material) increases.
Body jewelry made from amber should be kept from extreme heat, as it may soften, darken, burn, break down, fracture, or craze. Amber tends to burn rather than melt. Amber may break down or lose luster (become dull) when in contact with certain solvents. Please visit our care instructions and material information page for more details.
Baltic amber
Baltic amber saddles and cylinders are generally a scrumptious dark honey color, sometimes referred to as "cognac" colored. They are translucent, and most have "sun spangle" (lily pad or disc shaped) inclusions, which we believe are formed by the traditional process of heat treating that - along with darkening the outside surfaces from quickened oxidation - creates these circular and flat radial fracture inclusions from tiny air bubbles. This appears to be a bit of a trade secret, as many prominent books on amber will state that this is a natural phenomena, and it is only through extensive research that this process has come to light.
Note the different hues: amber plugs can vary quite a bit! Most are an orange to yellow 'cognac' color.
This just goes to show the range of color and inclusions that is typical in Baltic amber (succinite).
Amber is made in millimeters, so some exact gauge and inch conversions may be a bit off as noted.
Larger Baltic amber saddles sell out rapidly, so call right away if you are interested!
We'll be happy to place you on a wait list if you're interested in sizes that are out of stock.
The inconsistent supply of rough Baltic amber makes it extremely difficult to obtain finished pieces.
Due to the rising cost of the raw materials, prices tend to increase over time.
We always do our best to keep costs as reasonable as possible.
Singles are occasionally available at half of the pair prices - feel free to ask.
When we list singles only, we really mean it! No two pieces look anything close to pairs; they will be very different in lengths, color, or inclusions. In some cases we only have exactly one piece left.
Our current stock of Baltic amber saddles includes the following:
These sizes are currently available in PAIRS of saddle shapes (plugs with two flares)
Please call ASAP. Order soon before they run out again, as supply is very limited!!!
6ga..............................$8/pair (all our remaining 6ga are discounted from $10-$12/pair due to quality issues or slight flaws, such as minor indentations (divets), texture on the faces, not quite round flares, or >6ga with flares a bit larger than normal, at around 3ga)
5ga..............................$10-$12/pair
<4ga............................$12-$15/pair (all are just less than 4ga, lighter yellow, with no inclusions, or...)
<4ga............................Ask us about the few pairs we have with neat inclusions!
2ga..............................$15-$20/pair (last few pairs left!)
9/16"...........................$50-$75/pair (pairs with quality issues, available at the lower price)
5/8".............................$65-$100/pair (pairs with quality issues, available at the lower price)
1-1/2"..........................$305/pair (shown below; note this is priced at an old rate, and no retail mark-up!)
New prices would be more than double! Thus these plugs are currently quite well-priced given their size.
These sizes are currently available in SINGLE saddle shapes (plugs with two flares)
Several singles in 7ga through 1/2"...
Prices for singles are half the pair price unless listed otherwise.
These sizes are currently OUT OF STOCK in PAIRS of saddle shapes.
The best bet to get a pair in these sizes is to call us and ask to be placed on our waitlist...
When we get in more pieces in the larger sizes, they will most likely all be immediately reserved for people on our waitlists before they could ever make it onto this page, so if you are serious, and plan to stay at one size for awhile, please let us know!
0ga...........................$20-$25/pair (<0ga singles left for $9/each; one is oval)
We do have a pair of double flared clear yellow <0ga Mexican amber for $50/pair (retail prices only) or 0ga for $35/pair wholesale (both are shown below)
00ga.........................$25-$30/pair (Mexican amber available for $40/pair wholesale; shown below)
7/16"........................$30-$45/pair
1/2"..........................$40-$60/pair (one single left)
7/8"...........................new prices $155-$215/pair (no retail mark-up)
1"..............................new prices $215-$275/pair (no retail mark-up)
1-1/8".......................new prices $275-$375/pair (no retail mark-up)
Horn saddles (double flared plugs) with amber or pressed amber inlays (described here):
We often have pairs in stock, usually ranging from around 5/8" or 3/4" up to 7/8", 1" or 1-1/8".
Our current stock of Baltic amber cylinders includes the following:
These sizes are currently available in cylinder shapes (plugs with no flares)...
Both pairs and singles are available in most sizes!
Possibly pressed amber
4mm (≤6ga)............................$6/pair (possibly pressed amber; cosmetic light scratches on ends)
For a blown-up image of what these marks look like, please press here.
5mm (<4ga)............................$10/pair (possibly pressed amber; cosmetic light scratches on ends)
7mm (>2ga but <1ga).............$12/pair (possibly pressed amber)
9mm (≤00ga)..........................$8/each piece (only three singles left!)
12mm (btwn 7/16" and 1/2")..$20/pair
Pressed amber
14mm (9/16").........................$30/pair
16mm (>5/8").........................$30/pair
18mm (btwn 11/16" and 3/4").$40/pair
20mm (btwn 3/4" and 13/16").$40/pair
Mexican amber
Mexican amber comes from Chiapas, and is generally a lighter yellow to orange, with wide variations of inclusions. Some pieces are transparent, while others are spotted, streaked, or mottled, or with botanical debris (dark specks of dirt or moss-like inclusions). Some specimens are so filled with inclusions that they are opaque and almost completely black. Amber fluoresces in a black light, and Mexican amber in particular gives off an amazingly bright blue-green color.
Mexican amber saddle shaped plugs, labrets, and septum shapes, hand carved in Mexico, are occasionally available. Please scroll down to see available pairs, as well as a few more sold plugs which are posted to show the range and style of what is possible. This includes saddles and single flared conch plugs with fancy carvings, such as flower and shell shapes, as well as Aztec style labrets (with oval backing discs). Since they are rather hard to get, it may be some time before we have more. Please check back here, ask to be placed on our wait list, or visit the new page for updates!
Carved Mexican amber plugs and labrets
:: IN STOCK ::
Mexican amber labrets! Many have bubbles, swirl flow patterns, and dark spots of organic debris.
Note that 'round' and 'oval' refers to the cross-section of the shaft itself, not the backing disc.
Front view photo shown above in sunlight with woodgrain background (not at life size);
front, side, and back view images are scanned and posted below at life size as we normally do them.
<4ga light yellow with subtle swirl, round with diamond shaped back ($25-SOLD),
>4ga but <3ga clear light yellow round ($25-SOLD),
>2ga clear medium yellow oval ($30-SOLD),
>0ga at the base and ≤00ga at the front (what we call a reverse taper) round and striped ($50),
between 00ga and 7/16" at the base and <7/16" at the front,
oval, with crazy swirl patterns, and at least one bug ($60),
between 1/2" and 9/16" very oval, browns and yellows, crazy swirl patterns, and three (!) bugs ($80),
and a huge <11/16" one with a slight reverse taper and gorgeous stripes ($75)!!!
Mexican amber plugs in 6ga ($25), 4ga ($25), 2ga ($30), 0ga ($35), and 00ga ($40).
Finally, more Mexican amber!!! Prices are per pair.
Clear yellow Mexican amber mild saddles.
<0ga Mexican amber saddles. This pair plus another not shown. $50/pair retail.
This is a retail price, NOT wholesale like the rest of our offerings.
Please note that is an exception to our pricing rules; wholesale is NOT available for these.
We only usually get a few pairs a year; they are hard to obtain.
A pair of 0ga yellow Mexican amber one-flares with yin-yangs carved onto the fronts. $60/pair retail.
This is a retail price, NOT wholesale like the rest of our offerings.
Please note that is an exception to our pricing rules; wholesale is NOT available for these.
Not shown: a single short Mexican amber taper.
Around 5ga at the biggest part and just over 5/8" in length.
I made this long ago and forgot to post it until now! $10.
Carved Mexican amber plugs
:: SOLD ::
All of the Mexican amber saddles shown in this section have SOLD;
however, we keep them posted here to show examples of designs that we can offer periodically.
We only rarely get more, but feel free to ask!
Three different plugs with 3-D flower carved ends - $80/pair (all SOLD).
The yellow pair is >00ga and are one-flares. You can see an area of 'pitch skin' near the back side of one. I used to call this 'amber bark' before I heard this more-used term. This is what amber looks like when it is first found - it has a darker sometimes grayish looking surface from being oxidized or buried.
The dark pair of one-flared plugs is 7/16", with a length of 3/8", making them suited for conches. SOLD
The right-hand dark amber saddle shapes are between 00ga and 7/16"; with a <1/2" back flare. SOLD
7/16" oval-backed labret with ant-like bug and amazing natural swirl/flow pattern! ($90/single-SOLD)
>1/2" plugs with right-angled flares: both pieces have insects, plus a wing or leaf section!!! ($120/pair-SOLD)
Click on the highlighted text to view super close-ups of the listed inclusions!
00ga Mexican amber saddle shapes with huge carved front flares in the shapes of flowers ($60/pair-SOLD)
Two pairs of Mexican amber one-flares
with 3-D flower carved front flares:
front and side views are shown.
The left-hand pair is between >5/8" and <11/16",
while the right-hand concave pair is <11/16"
These went for $90/pair-SOLD.
The saddle shaped shells measure >2ga (17-18/64") on the wearing surfaces and were also $50/pair-SOLD.
This large pair of >11/16" plugs had carved flowers
in a light yellow colored Mexican amber and were $100/pair-SOLD.
These dark one flares with flowers and rounded ends might work in conch piercings, but can be utilized however you see fit. They are >2ga but <1ga (18/64") and were $50/pair-SOLD.
< or =0ga tapered to 0ga at the front Mexican amber labret
with 11/16" wide Aztec style (oval) back - $70 (SOLD).
The amber flower plugs on the left with pointed backs
measured < or =7/16" and were $70/pair-SOLD.
Left: between 0ga and 00ga reddish amber saddles with flower-carved faces and 7/16" flares ($70/pair-SOLD)
Right: > or = 0ga yellow amber one-flares with flower-carved faces ($60/pair-SOLD). Close-ups are shown below.
Old Burmese amber plugs
Old Burmese amber (Burmite) plugs include patlokan in traditional shapes similar to giant crayons.
These are usually attributed to the Hkakhu tribe of Burma. Shorter examples with flat ends are shown below.
Old Burmese amber plugs, collected from Assam.
Between 1/2" and 9/16". $80/pair.
Baltic amber specimens
Natural Baltic amber drop shapes. $10/each.
These resemble the ancient poetic term for amber: 'Freya's tears.'
The first two rows have neat walnut or brain-like patterns, the others are more smooth.
Although these are not being sold by weight, for reference,
they range from 0.9 to 4.1grams (.035 to .145 ounces)/each.
Large specimens of Baltic amber. They range in overall shapes and sizes, and
average $2/gram (with a $25 minimum). Most have lots of bubbles and inclusions.
As shown in this first image, they include:
23 grams (spider plus two flying insects)-$46 sold,
11.1 grams (one tiny bug)-$25 SOLD, and
6.1 grams (two mosquitoes?!? plus others)-SOLD.
Please click on this scan for a close-up view of the first piece.
Other raw or polished amber specimens are often available -
sometimes in Mexican or Domincan amber, too!
NEW: tiny amber pieces with insect inclusions, in small magnifying boxes. $8/each.
Please click on the image above to view one posted at approximately 4X life-size to show detail.
A neat little bug is found inside each one!
These Baltic amber specimens have bugs! They are in little plastic cases with magnifying tops, as shown.
The small ones are $10/each (the right one has a long-legged fly), while the large one has SOLD for $20.
Copal specimens
Polished raw copal specimens, most with bugs and other inclusions, is available for $1/gram.
Great for displays!!! This is an inexpensive option and a great way to see some preserved insect specimens while avoiding the much higher cost of amber.
The example shown above was 12grams, thus $12.
Both smaller and much larger pieces are available as shown.
Please click this thumbnail to view one posted at life size.
In the order shown, we have:
1.4grams, 8.2grams, 9.5grams, 9.8grams, 12.5grams, 25.8grams.
26.0grams, 26.4grams, 31.8grams,
32.5grams, 35.5grams, 38.6grams,
55grams, 58grams, and 93.4grams.
Copal is within the continuum of fossil tree resins: it starts as resin; several thousand years later it is considered copal; twenty million or more years later it is considered amber. The word is derived from the Nahuatl (Aztec) word copalli, meaning 'incense.' It is softer and more brittle than amber, is soluble in acetone, alcohol, or ether (a drop applied to the surface makes the copal become soft or sticky), and has a lower melting point than amber, tending to actually melt rather than burn.
Amber stash boxes
Sterling silver stash boxes, topped with large Baltic amber cabochons, which could be used as double flared plugs. The top snaps open and shut to reveal the hollow interiors.
These measure >1-1/16" with flares at >1-3/16", and are $125/pair.
Please note, we have this size only; these are not available in any other size.
As many have asked, here are some answers about availability of various types of amber products:
Colors: We do not have green amber plugs...
Incidentally, most of the green Baltic amber that is available as finished jewelry is an effect created by painting the back of an amber cabochon black, which gives the amber a greenish tint. It's a trick of refraction! Green amber does occur naturally, though rarely, in both Mexican and Baltic amber, as does many other shades such as opaque white, yellow, and black, red, green, and blue amber. We do not have plugs made out of these colors of amber, and do not anticipate being able to carry them in the future. Red, green, and blue rough amber is very expensive and it is extremely difficult to get large enough pieces without fractures to make carvings such as plugs or other body piercing jewelry, even in the small sizes. Most examples of these colors are sold as specimen pieces to collectors.
Insects: We do not normally get any plugs with bugs in them.
When found by our suppliers, these pieces are polished and sold to museums and collectors as specimens (see some of our examples in amber and copal above!).
We do not carry earplugs with insects artificially inserted in them.
Shapes: We do not carry amber spirals, CBR's, or anything with dramatic curves like c-shaped claws. Amber is just too brittle in small sizes, and these shapes would compromise it's structural soundness.
We do not carry hollow amber: thin walls are too brittle, and it's a complete waste of amber.
Consider also that to create, let's say, a spiral shape that is 1-1/4" in overall diameter (in whatever gauge), the piece of amber required would have to be as big as a chunk that could make a 1-1/4" plug.
In other words, ridiculously expensive, as amber is priced on both weight and on waste.
Beads/balls: We do not carry amber beads for CBR's or amber barbell ends with threads set in them.
Other types of amber jewelry (non-piercing):
We DO have some amber pendants and necklaces such as those found on the Twilight page, and
bracelets which can be found on the bracelets page. Both are often first showcased on the new page.
We tend to carry pieces combined with silver featuring Nordic or Celtic designs.
Jet: We also carry some examples of jet jewelry.
Jet (aka lignite) is a type of highly mineralized wood, largely made up of carbon which imparts a rich black color. Indeed, this is the material that started the phrase 'jet black.' Amber deposits have been found in jet, leading some to believe that in these examples, the jet was formed from the wood of the actual tree that produced the amber. Neat! It's pretty hard to classify... it's no longer wood, yet it has not quite petrified to be thus deemed stone (the cells have not been completely replaced by minerals). It is most closely related to coal, and yet it is often intimately associated with amber, sometimes even being called black amber.
A beautiful enigma!
:: All prices listed are wholesale to shops :: Retail prices to individuals are twice those listed ::
7/16" oval-backed labret with 
Left: between 0ga and 00ga reddish amber saddles with flower-carved faces and 7/16" flares ($70/pair-SOLD)
