Gdansk is the worlds capital of amber

GDAŃSK IS THE WORLD CAPITAL OF AMBER!

It is in Gdańsk that all amber roads intersect, it is also here the historical tradition of amber crafting continues as part of the unique atmosphere of the city and its material culture. The heart of Gdańsk’s Old Town proudly features the Museum of Amber with the oldest examples of archaeological finds, spectacular artefacts of amber craft, natural inclusions and a thorough selection of works by leading jewellery artists from around the world. One of the most stunning exhibits is a prehistoric lizard, embedded in amber and found on one of the local beaches. Nearby Mariacka (St Mary’s) Street has many stores, galleries and studios of contemporary amber artists and, all over the city, there are multiple references to its amber heritage, including a unique football stadium that looks like a piece of Baltic amber. AMBERIF, the world’s principal Baltic amber jewellery fair, is held here as well. Twice a year, in March and in late August/early September, exhibitors and buyers from all over the world meet at Gdańsk’s state-of-the-art Amber Expo exhibition centre to look for unique jewellery, which is available only then in such a massive selection and in top quality.

This specialised trade show is also an annual opportunity for influential meetings among experts from many areas of business, science and art, a venue for conferences, symposia and cultural events, with AMBERIF DESIGN AWARD—the international jewellery art competition—standing out in particular. In 2022, the Spanish artist Emma Carrau Bueno won the prestigious ADA Grand Prize. AMBERIF SELECTION is a parallel design competition addressed to AMBERIF exhibitors. Its purpose is to select jewellery products of exceptional design and supreme quality of workmanship. This year’s winner, S&A Jewellery Design, is renowned in Asia, where amber jewellery and sculptural items made of this material continuously enjoy great popularity.

Baltic amber was already treasured by ancient Romans, who marked out amber roads in search of this valuable raw material in northern Europe. Amber is mentioned in many legends and literary sources, including Greek mythology. The 18th century Baroque era was an important period in the development of amber art, when not only amber jewellery was made but also amber coffers, furniture, dishes, personal accessories and even architectural details. Many people believe amber to have magical and medicinal properties and it is often regarded, especially in China, as an amulet and a personal talisman. Perhaps this is influenced by its unique feature, namely its electrostatic properties (amber’s ancient Greek name is Elektronos). When rubbed against a fabric, raw amber charges up and attracts small pieces of paper; when heated, it gives off an aromatic scent and ionises the air with beneficial effect—after all, it is a natural fossilised resin of prehistoric conifers from forty million years ago.

That said, AMBERIF is not just about amber, with over half of its 400 exhibitors manufacturing original silver and gold jewellery, gemstone jewellery and fashion accessories. The Design Gallery, with its unique design zone and art jewellery from leading jewellery artists, is a special feature of the fair. Meanwhile, the renown of jewellery designers has become a globally significant distinguishing factor of Polish creative industries. The Gdańsk cluster of companies, industry and academic institutions is an excellent environment to develop and implement amber innovations. The Gdańsk Academy of Fine Arts has become a laboratory, so to speak, for new forms, uncommon material choices and experimental design. It is here that future designers study CAD/CAM technologies and the most advanced 3D printing methods, test the limits of the artistic avant-garde and look for ways to revive traditional handicraft in line with the idea of sustainable design.

We hope that this short feature about amber, a remarkable material, its symbolism and rich history will become an invitation for you to visit Gdańsk, where amber trends are born. The best place to admire amber’s assets and experience its magic is the AMBERIF International Fair of Amber and Jewellery, with its coming editions on 01–03 September 2022 and

22–25 March 2023. ■