23 February 2007 - 23:34Zen and the Art of Blue Amber: An Inquiry into Values

As much as it would seems obvious, “Quality” is still a debated subject, regardless the context. Definitions abound, especially in business: according to ISO 9000 it’s a ‘degree to which a set of inherent characteristic fulfills requirements.’ The American Society for Quality elegantly sidesteps the question by defining it as: ‘A subjective term for which each person has their own definition.’

It all boils down to the perception of the degree to which a product meets a customer’s expectations.

Hence ‘Quality’ in its purest definition is entirely perceptual, conditional and somewhat subjective. Philosopher Robert M. Pirsig even elevated ‘quality’ to a metaphysical concept that cannot be defined because it empirically precedes any intellectual constructions.

The same holds true for Blue Amber quality.

At first glance one would assume that the more blue a stone is, the higher the quality. The more it reflects the sunlight as the color blue, the higher the grade.

But as the various interpretations above point out, quality cannot be defined since everyone has his own definition based on use and personal perception.

As the age-old axiom states, beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

And, oddly enough, it also depends on nationality. On some continents for example the more popular coloration is the yellow/light-blue variation that focuses more on transparency and pureness in addition to a bluish hue as can be seen in the image. It is the unique glassy look that appeals in this case.

In other parts of the world, the color variation mostly desired is the strong and definite color. Blue amber ought to be blue. As we know, this is due to the density of the aromatic molecules in the resin. But it also is emphasized by the inclusions which already reflect the light inside the amber. In this case, the inclusions are desirable. Matter of fact, for many, inclusions and variations of color are a proof of genuineness and authenticity.

Other aspects are the kind of inclusions a piece holds as well as the play of different shades, the form of the specimen, the thickness of the hull and its color, the size, the mine of origin, the age, and so on and so forth.

So what is high grade, high quality Blue Amber? It really depends on everyone’s own taste, opinion or purpose he has for it. Therefore, when it comes down to it, quality is your choice.