Amber from Sicily

This gorgeous necklace is several thousands years old. There used to be deposits of amber close to Mount Etna, in Sicily. That amber was mined out by the 18th century. This is an example of exquisite craftsmanship from Etruria. Sicilian amber has a distinguished red hue and, unlike Baltic amber, is opaque. Nowadays Sicilian amber's almost impossible to purchase; it can be mainly found in museum collections.

Necklace with a pendant Scarab, Italic or Etruscan, 550-400 B.C.
Amber, gold and carnelian scarab. Length: 39.5 cm (15 inch)
Los Angeles, The J. Paul Getty Museum.