Baltic amber contains succinic acid — a naturally occurring organic compound also found in many plants and animals, and produced by the human body as part of normal cellular metabolism. This fact has generated a great deal of folklore, marketing claims, and genuine scientific interest over the centuries. It is worth separating what is established from what remains unproven.
What succinic acid is
Succinic acid (butanedioic acid) is a dicarboxylic acid that plays a role in the Krebs cycle — the process by which cells produce energy. It is present in Baltic amber at concentrations of up to 8%, which is notably higher than in amber from other regions. This is one of the defining characteristics used to identify genuine Baltic amber, and the basis for the term “succinite” — the scientific name for Baltic amber.
The historical claims
For centuries, Baltic amber was used in folk medicine across Northern and Eastern Europe. It was worn as an amulet, ground into powder, dissolved in alcohol, and burned as incense. Practitioners attributed to it anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and calming properties. These traditions were widespread and deeply embedded in Baltic, Slavic, and Germanic cultures long before modern chemistry existed to evaluate them.
What the science says
Succinic acid itself is well-studied and has legitimate applications in food, pharmaceuticals, and industrial chemistry. It is used as a food additive (E363) and appears in some pharmaceutical formulations. However, the key question for amber jewellery is whether succinic acid is absorbed through the skin in meaningful quantities when amber is worn — and on this point, robust clinical evidence is limited.
The most commonly cited claim — that Baltic amber teething necklaces relieve infant pain through transdermal succinic acid absorption — has not been supported by peer-reviewed clinical trials. Major paediatric and safety organisations have advised against amber teething necklaces primarily due to choking and strangulation risks, independent of the efficacy question.
What amber genuinely offers
None of this diminishes what Baltic amber actually is: a remarkable organic material with 40 to 50 million years of natural history, a warm and distinctive beauty, and a cultural significance that spans continents and millennia. For many wearers, the connection to that history — to the ancient forests, the Amber Road, the artisans who shape it today — is meaning enough.
We think that is a more honest and ultimately more compelling story than unverified health claims. Our Baltic Amber Jewelry collection is made to be worn, admired, and passed on — not as medicine, but as something genuinely rare and beautiful.
A note on transparency
At Shavys, we source genuine Baltic amber and work with artisans who have spent their lives with this material. We believe the truth about amber — its geology, its history, its natural variation — is more interesting than the myths. If you have questions about a specific piece or its provenance, we are happy to answer them.