What is amber, and where does it come from?

Amber is actually fossilized tree resin that has been chemically changed by being buried in the ground. It is found throughout the world, but there are significant deposits along the Baltic Sea, in sands that are thought to be 40 million to 60 million years old. Frequently, amber has fossil insects or plants embedded in it. Amber that is deeply colored and translucent to transparent is a valued gem.