Gdańsk, the World Capital of Amber, is also home to the world’s largest chunk of amber! The Amber Museum in Gdańsk has put us on the Guinness World Records map. Let me tell you, you can see this wonder at the Great Mill, and guess what, it’s free of charge!
The largest amber lump in the world has an intriguing backstory. This amber, dating back millions of years, was extracted from a lignite mine in Sumatra. It ended up in the Amber Museum in Gdańsk in 2021, thanks to the funds from the state budget and the efforts of the National Institute of Museums and Collections Protection.
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Amber Museum in Gdansk – Home To Largest Piece of Amber
Breaking records, especially on World Amber Day, feels like a natural fit for Gdańsk. It’s a proud moment – this is how explained Piotr Borawski, Deputy Mayor for Entrepreneurship and Climate Protection, during the ceremony.
We were all rooting for this precious piece to not only break the record but also amplify the fame of the Amber Museum.
This museum, known globally, has become an iconic gathering place, regularly attracting visitors worldwide.
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I think it’s worth mentioning the collective effort behind this achievement. The entire Museum of Gdańsk team played a crucial role in making the museum a lively and renowned space. And let me say, having the second Gdańsk Guinness World Record associated with amber, city’s symbol, is quite special.
The Largest Amber Ever Found – Giant
The procedure to weigh and measure this colossal piece was quite an undertaking. The amber, which typically sits behind the Amber Museum entrance, was removed from its display case to allow accurate measurements. The Gdańsk manufacturer of jewelry scales weighed in our star of the show at an impressive 68.2 kg!
I am sure you’ll find it interesting that this weight is almost 18 kg more than the previous record holder, an amber from Sumatra, which weighs 50.4 kg.
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A Warsaw company was enlisted to undertake the precise laser measurements of this solid wonder. Known for their wide-ranging metrology, contact and non-contact measurements, computed tomography, and reverse engineering services, they worked their magic on our amber piece. They found it to measure 74 x 57.1 x 42.1 cm, surpassing the previous record holder’s dimensions of 55 x 50 x 42 cm.
A Close Look at the Largest Amber in the World
Let me tell you, this world-record-breaking amber piece is no ordinary rock. I think it’s worth sharing some facts about this exceptional lump.
As I already mentioned it weighs a whopping 68.20 kg and its dimensions are 74 x 57.1 x 42.1 cm. This giant comes from a lignite mine near the city of Gunung Tua in northern Sumatra. Now, don’t let its dark brown and opaque resin fool you. This rock has transparent yellow fragments that make it a sight to behold.
I can tell you that things get even more interesting when you put this amber under ultraviolet light – it glows with a fascinating blue/violet hue! I believe you’ll be intrigued to know that when heated, it gives off a unique resinous odor and becomes viscous.
Now, if you’re curious about how this priceless piece ended up in the Museum of Gdańsk, let me explain. It was bought for the Amber Museum’s collection using a grant from the state budget under the National Institute of Museums and Collections Protection program. The purchase amount was over PLN 140,112. A significant portion of that came from the NIMOZ targeted grant.
The best part? You can marvel at this magnificent amber chunk free of charge at the Amber Museum, housed in Gdańsk’s. The museum’s opening hours offer ample time for your visit.
Who Verified the Record-Breaking Amber?
Now, don’t think we crowned this amber as the world’s largest without the help of experts. I am convinced you’d appreciate knowing who oversaw the official weighing of this massive chunk.
A team of certified experts was present during the weigh-in. The team included:
- Ewa Wagner-Wysiecka from the Gdańsk University of Technology and a representative of the International Amber Association.
- Stanisław Jacobson, a jeweler and court expert in jewelry and precious stones.
- Tomasz Michalik, Director of the Regional Office of Measures in Gdańsk, along with his team.
- Marian Maliszewski, co-owner of AXIS Sp. z o.o., the Gdańsk manufacturer of jewelry scales, accompanied by his employees.
To ensure the fulfillment of all formal requirements recognized by the Guinness Book of Records, the National Bureau of Records oversaw the procedure. This team included Paweł Chwaliboga, the president, and Paulina Plenzler.
Now that you know the story behind this monumental piece of amber, I believe your next visit to Gdańsk should definitely include a stop at the Amber Museum. Being there, you’ll be part of history. And don’t forget, there’s a video of the event if you want to watch this record-breaking moment unfold.
Interesting Fact About Sumatran Amber
The largest amber lump in the world has an intriguing backstory. This amber, dating back millions of years, was extracted from a lignite mine in Sumatra. As I already explained it ended up in the Amber Museum in Gdańsk in 2021, thanks to the funds from the state budget and the efforts of the National Institute of Museums and Collections Protection.
Now, let me share with you some words I read in the newspaper. Words from Ewa Wagner-Wysiecka from the Gdańsk University of Technology, a representative of the International Amber Association. She prepared the expert opinion on this amber block.
She recalled,
I met this dignified tenant of the Amber Museum almost a year ago. It was not only a great pleasure but also an honor to make an expert opinion alongside other amber experts. I can publicly confirm that after macroscopic and microscopic analysis, as well as spectroscopic analysis, I am convinced that this lump belongs to the glesite group of fossil resins, meaning it is indeed Sumatran amber.
The Story of Indonesian Amber
Sumatran amber is a type of Indonesian amber that is found in Southeast Asia, specifically in Indonesia and Malaysia. I think it’s worth mentioning that it’s not just any old amber, this amber was formed 20-23 million years ago.
I know you might wonder, „how was this amber discovered?” Let me tell you, its deposits were only discovered in 1991. It’s one of the few ambers found in primary deposits, nestled in lignite seams.
The story of its creation is equally fascinating. This amber was formed from resins produced by deciduous trees, which still grow today in the equatorial forests in Asia. So, you see, if you want a piece of history spanning millions of years, this amber from Sumatra is it.
I believe, being there at the Amber Museum in Gdańsk, witnessing this world-record-breaking amber, you’d truly grasp the enormity of our planet’s history.
If you’re ever in Gdańsk, you need to see this monumental amber piece for yourself. Just imagine, standing before the largest chunk of amber in the world, right here in the amber capital. Trust me, it’s an experience you won’t want to miss!
References:
- https://www.trojmiasto.pl/wiadomosci/Najwiekszy-bursztyn-swiata-jest-w-Gdansku-Rekord-Guinnessa-pobity-n168340.html
- https://www.sklepjubilerski.com/porady-ekspertow/najwiekszy-bursztyn-swiata-ciekawostki
- https://www.amber.com.pl/aktualnosci/86-informacje/3513-najwieksza-bryla-bursztynu-na-swiecie
