amber
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amber
A fossilized, hardened tree resin that often has a yellowish to brownish color and is used as a gemstone.
Nach dem Sturm fanden wir am Strand ein kleines Stück Bernstein.
After the storm, we found a small piece of amber on the beach.
The name 'Bernstein' (amber) comes from old words for 'brennen' (to burn) and 'Stein' (stone). Amber is flammable, which is unusual for a stone.
Die Kinder lernten, dass Bernstein im Feuer schmilzt und brennt.
The children learned that amber melts and burns in fire.
When 'Bernstein' (amber) is used as a countable noun (e.g., 'ein Bernstein' (an amber stone), 'viele Bernsteine' (many pieces of amber)), it refers to the gemstone. When it describes an uncountable color (e.g., 'die Farbe Bernstein' (the color amber)), it refers to the shade.
Sie hat einen wunderschönen Bernstein am Strand gefunden.
She found a beautiful piece of amber on the beach.
When amber is used as a material for jewelry or other objects, the preposition 'aus' (made of/from) is used.
Ihre Halskette ist aus echtem Bernstein gefertigt.
Her necklace is made of genuine amber.
As a color term, the adjective 'bernsteinfarben' (amber-colored) is often used. You can also say that something glows 'in Bernstein' (in amber) or has an amber-like color.
Der Wein hatte eine bernsteinfarbene Tönung.
The wine had an amber-colored tint.
gemstone
'der Bernstein' and 'der Edelstein' can both appear in jewelry, but they are not the same thing. Amber is fossilized tree resin and is often yellowish to brown. A gemstone is usually a rare, valuable mineral that is cut. Learners may confuse the words because amber looks like a jewelry stone and is also used in jewelry. More precisely: amber is a special jewelry stone made of resin, while 'Edelstein' is a more general term for valuable mineral stones.
Am Strand hat Anna einen kleinen Bernstein gefunden, der im Licht golden glänzt.
Anna found a small piece of amber on the beach that glowed golden in the light.
Im Ring ihrer Großmutter sitzt ein blauer Edelstein.
There is a blue gemstone in her grandmother's ring.