Amber Yellow Old Tibetan: given that this “butterscotch” Amber is originally of Baltic origin, and given that Tibet historically was not only an extremely isolated kingdom but very isolationist as well, it has to be presumed that Tibetans were introduced to this organic gemstone relatively late, probably through the Chinese and China’s trade with Europe. Certainly it became one of the three favourite gemstones in the kingdom, along with Turquoise and Coral.
Of the two colours associated with Baltic Amber, “honey” and “butterscotch”, it is only the “butterscotch” or yellow colour that ever interested Tibetans, for it was the lively colour combination of the blue-green of Turquoise, the orange-red of Coral, and the yellow of “butterscotch” Amber that was found so attractive.
The two yellow Amber beads in above Gold earrings were handcut probably close on a hundred years ago. They were purchased in the late 1970s from Tibetan traders in Janpath New Delhi. Very rare now, very difficult to source and costly. Tibetans and Chinese nowadays are the main buyers of this type of gemstone Amber.